Romney: "I'm Not Concerned About the Very Poor"

reply to post by undo


Bull crap. I work with section 8 people almost every week. When you can rent a nice apartment with utilities for half the price and get food for free, it's pretty darn easy to live on hardly any money. Welfare in the US pays poor people for the essentials; shelter, heat, and food. When that's covered, any disposable income can go to TVs, nice clothes, video games etc.

Like I said, I see it every week.

You also have to understand the mentality of someone on welfare. They don't have the mindset of a hard working middle class American. They aren't trying to save for retirement or to put their kids through college. Any money they have outside of shelter, heat, and food goes to buying "stuff".

Originally posted by MRuss
Wow!

What is this? The New York Times?

You're taking this quote out of context (as you must know).

It's obvious the mainstream media is hoping to discredit Romney with such tactics---and I'm confused as to why you'd go along with the MSM and their usual tactics. It's dishonest----especially on this site--whose motto is DENY IGNORANCE.

I was a reporter for many years. This is the sort of subject line I'd never stoop low enough to write.

It's DISHONEST.

You've taken this quote out of context.

Apologies accepted.

edit on 2-2-2012 by MRuss because: (no reason given)

that was my first reaction as well. i thought, dude, this is way out of context. but then i thought, waiiiit a minute, and read it again. he said it. there's no argument about that. he means to say what he means to say. there's no doubt about THAT, either. so what the issue is here is, what does it mean for us later? how do we translate it into people terms. the issue is not that he didn't say it, just that the thread's title is wrong

Originally posted by beezzer

Originally posted by Liquesence

But the government should help create the opportunity for betterment.

That's different than taking care of people. Teach a man to fish. . . .

It also should not "leave people to fend for themselves," especially when the system is stacked against them.

Back to the leftist talking points.

It's not about a "nanny state," even though it does exists to certain degrees.

It is exactually about the nanny state!

Sometimes people need assistance until they can get out of their rut; granted, some people do take advantage of the system, it happens with everything.

Teach a man to fish, agreed in principle; can't work for everyone though, and there will always be people who need help. There will always be homeless people, there will ALWAYS be people at the bottom. Such is capitalism.

Leftist talking point? "Nanny state" is a republican talking point if i ever heard one! Every time i hear my republican friends use that phrase, my response--which i have come up with on my own based upon rationale and humanistic thought, is what we are going through now: i do not get any talking points from any leftist place. I get them from my own mind, from my own insight, judgment, and experience. Guess that makes them leftist, since i lean left.

Leftist talking point... I mean, really Beezzer?

Originally posted by Liquesence

You know, i agree with almost everything you said up until the point about the "real agenda," whatever that is. I believe that the decline of the middle class started because of Bush's reckless policies. I do not think Romney's policies will turn anything around, like people hope. True, Romney is a businessman, which *might* be a good thing from an economic point of view, and even though he might care about the middle class, i do not think his policies will help them to any great degree.

I hope that things get better. I do not see this happening under the GOP, in part because there is so much anti-social (program) theocracy (even though Mitt is a Mormon) and corporate pandering (the latter the dems are also guilty of, true). True, Mitt might be the best GOP outside of Paul, but that's not going to cut it for me.

I also agree with your very last sentence; however, I see the best bet as voting against the republican candidate.

Interesting..

I guess I didn't make myself clear. I think both Dems & Repubs are run by the SAME men behind the curtain.
Why would powerful White men pluck an Obama out of obscurity and make him POTUS? You bet they have an agenda.

I'm fairly certain TPTB have already decided to give Obama another term. Why? To cement Obamacare? What's really in that bill? Do you really think TPTB give a rat's **s about healthcare for the people?
TPTB have used Obama to push thru unpopular bills and to divide the country along racial & socio-economic lines. Anyone who opposes Obama is smeared as a racist.

What I'm really afraid of is that they are setting Obama up for assassination in his second term. The resultant race riots and chaos will serve TPTB as a perfect excuse for even more draconian controls on the populace, maybe even martial law. I will be so glad to see Obama leave the White House alive & in one piece.

At least Romney has real accomplishments: he turned both Bain and the SLC Olympics around from losing money to making money. Mitt was taught the ropes by his father, George Romney. George Romney, before he became Governor of Michigan, saved American Motors from bankruptcy. Not only was Mitt Governor of Massachusetts, but he has a JD/MBA from Harvard. A JD/MBA is considered excellent preparation for becoming an investment banker or a venture capitalist. Romney understands how money & businesses work.

Obama has a law degree from Harvard, but prior to his 2008 election, no business experience, no military experience, no executive experience. What was he? A community organizer. Obama has about as much substance as a cardboard cut-out.

Obama is considered a joke by foreign leaders. As Sarkozy said it -- Obama is both arrogant & naive.
He can follow orders though.

Are both men run by the same cabal? I think so, but even though they are, at least Romney understands what's going on.

I would love to see Obama gone, but I don't think it's going to happen. The Blacks will vote for Obama because he's Black. Most Hispanics (especially the Mexicans) will see Obama as their best bet. The poor will vote for Obama. The young will vote for Obama cuz he's Black & kewl. Committed Dems will vote for Obama. The Ron Paul crowd will either vote for Obama or not at all. White academics will vote for Obama because almost all of them prefer Left to Right. Hollywood celebs will vote for Obama because it polls well for their popularity.

All of that, a billion dollar Obama re-election war chest, and the mainstream media in the Obama camp = the re-election of Obama.

Originally posted by Drew99GT
reply to post by undo

 

Bull crap. I work with section 8 people almost every week. When you can rent a nice apartment with utilities for half the price and get food for free, it's pretty darn easy to live on hardly any money. Welfare in the US pays poor people for the essentials; shelter, heat, and food. When that's covered, any disposable income can go to TVs, nice clothes, video games etc.

Like I said, I see it every week.

You also have to understand the mentality of someone on welfare. They don't have the mindset of a hard working middle class American. They aren't trying to save for retirement or to put their kids through college. Any money they have outside of shelter, heat, and food goes to buying "stuff".

i don't personally have a problem with everyone having good quality of life. where the problem arises is that they shipped all our jobs overseas so the ones that do enjoy working, can't. and now it gets down to the nitty gritty, these same guys that support such imbalanced business models, who disenfranchised us of our right to the pursuit of happiness, who took our jobs and gave them to people who are willing to work for slave labor wages in other countries, are now on the brink of driving the people who lost their jobs, into such poverty that they will work for nothing and pulling any potential safety net, to make sure we have no other choice.

it's diabolical.

reply to post by undo


No, they get money to buy stuff with and they use it to buy brand new clothes and whatever they want. they get some sort of card and get money on it every month. you do not know what you are talking about. Plus the person who said they use it at strip bars is right they do. I saw it on the news here a couple years ago where peole were using thier welfare cards to withdrawl money at strip clubs and casinos. You keep replying to people thinking you know what you are talking about But, you do not!

Originally posted by beezzer

Originally posted by mastahunta

So why are you here defending Romney?

Just keeping it fair and balanced, I suppose.

I like a good argument.

Plus the fact that even though I'm no great fan of Romney, he's 10 times the potential leader that Obama is.

I want Obamacare overturned. Romney stated that he'd do that.
I want our borders tightened. Romney stated he'd do that.

So, like the song says
"If you can't love the one you want. . .
Love the one you're with!"

I think provisions of Obamacare should be overturned, not all of it (such as being forced to get coverage; i disagree with that).

I have several family members with pre-existing conditions who are now covered when they had a hard time getting covered before. One has a heart condition (since birth); one has diabetes. I know others, who, thanks to being able to remain on their parents' HC until 26, remain covered when they otherwise would not. My entire family is republican. They LIKE the fact that their children can now stay on their policies until 26.

You don't throw out the whole bushel just because there are a few bad apples.

Glad to see you're indirectly admitting you love Obama, though.

Originally posted by TropicKandie
reply to post by undo

 

No, they get money to buy stuff with and they use it to buy brand new clothes and whatever they want. they get some sort of card and get money on it every month. you do not know what you are talking about. Plus the person who said they use it at strip bars is right they do. I saw it on the news here a couple years ago where peole were using thier welfare cards to withdrawl money at strip clubs and casinos. You keep replying to people thinking you know what you are talking about But, you do not!

edit on 2-2-2012 by TropicKandie because: wanted to add something

"They."

You're going to generalize the entire group based upon the actions of a few?

Bravo. (golf clap)

Originally posted by TropicKandie
reply to post by undo

 

No, they get money to buy stuff with and they use it to buy brand new clothes and whatever they want. they get some sort of card and get money on it every month. you do not know what you are talking about. Plus the person who said they use it at strip bars is right they do. I saw it on the news here a couple years ago where peole were using thier welfare cards to withdrawl money at strip clubs and casinos. You keep replying to people thinking you know what you are talking about But, you do not!

edit on 2-2-2012 by TropicKandie because: wanted to add something

do the math. even if someone paid your mortgage and your food bills, would you have enough money for a car and gasoline on welfare? even if they paid your utilities, would you have enough money for a car and the insurance (mandatory) and the gas?. or how about your kids educations? ya know, kid needs soccer shoes, phys ed teacher says, you need to buy pads. how about when something breaks, does the government replace it? your car has a flat tire. you need a new radiator. these are all things we all have to pay for it, and they aren't cheap, and welfare doesn't cover them.

guy's spending their welfare checks in a strip club, don't care about the rest of their lives. don't punish everyone because some people don't care

reply to post by undo


I do not know where you live but,most people who are on welfare do not have a house payment they pay for rent, and they do have cars just cheap clunkers. also I never heard of having to pay for soccer pads at school soccer is not mandotory at school. I am sick of argueing with you. You do not know what you are talking about the poor have it hella easy and you sit here defending them. some of them try to better thier life, most don't. and when did this get about them having cars and paying for gas anyway I just said they buy thier kids name brand clothes while using foodstamps to pay for food. I have way better things to do then sit at my computer debating this all day with you that is for sure!!!!!

and anyway if they need a new tire or whatever they can just use their welfare money to buy a new one from the junk yard for only 30 bucks. and if something in thier house breaks just call the landlord and make them deal with it!

Originally posted by undo

Originally posted by TropicKandie
reply to post by Desolate Cancer

 

Yes I agree with you 100% The middle class is who needs the help and what he said. was right people will just find anything to rant about. The poor have all kinds of things they send thier children to school in name brand clothes and shoes, while buying thier food with food stamps. The middle class is struggling to survive.and put food on the table while the poor are using the middle classes hard earned tax dollars to feed and cloth thier children that they keep having even though they can't afford them! The rich do not need any help. the poor get all kinds of money,health insurance,free housing in the gettho projects. The middle class are becoming poor and needing handouts the middle class needs help and I will be voting for mitt in the primary here in MO. on feb.7th! get mad I DON'T CARE! Newt, keeps getting endorsements from the rich you know whose side he will be on if he gets elected!

they bought the name brand stuff second hand or someone gave it to them or they have alternate ways of making money to subsidize their income. they didn't survive this economy on welfare.

There is an underlying social and cultural issue as to why these people would want these particular things to begin with. It's what importance we as society--via advertising and marketing--put on name brands, nice things, and looking nice, which then translates into a false notion of "success" to people who know nothing about them.

I am not saying this justifies anything, but it's a very interesting social issue that defines us as a culture and what we regard as important--and the lengths people will go to fit into what has been largely accepted behavior and practices.

Originally posted by TropicKandie
reply to post by Desolate Cancer

 

Yes I agree with you 100% The middle class is who needs the help and what he said. was right people will just find anything to rant about. The poor have all kinds of things they send thier children to school in name brand clothes and shoes, while buying thier food with food stamps. The middle class is struggling to survive.and put food on the table while the poor are using the middle classes hard earned tax dollars to feed and cloth thier children that they keep having even though they can't afford them! The rich do not need any help. the poor get all kinds of money,health insurance,free housing in the gettho projects. The middle class are becoming poor and needing handouts the middle class needs help and I will be voting for mitt in the primary here in MO. on feb.7th! get mad I DON'T CARE! Newt, keeps getting endorsements from the rich you know whose side he will be on if he gets elected!

Wow!! Are you totally out of touch with reality! Typical upper middle class/rich view on how the poor live. Tell you what - go into what you call a "ghetto". Take what you would get in food stamps, go into one of these overpriced ghetto food stores and see if you can feed your children HEALTHY meals. As you walk down the street with your groceries - take a look and see if you see new brand name clothing on the majority of children. My guess is you will see second hand clothes on the majority of people. Then take a look at the roach and rat invested housing - many units probably have code violations and are dangerous to live. Then go to a State run or charity home for the poor elderly. See if you would want your mother living there.

If you are still like Mitt and don't care about the CHILDREN living in these conditions (and yes the majority of poor are children), then you are a heartless soul.

Originally posted by TropicKandie


and when did this get about them having cars and paying for gas anyway

well if you're a welfare receipient and would like to get off welfare, there's a few things you're gonna need:

1. transportation that actually works so you can go find a job.

2. a computer and an internet connection. many places will only accept your app for a job, over the internet. unless it's a low paying job, which doesn't solve the problem. this means the purchase of a computer capable of accessing the internet and an internet connection, which means a monthly bill the government does not cover

3. clothing capable of making a presentable and favorable impression on prospective employers.

if you want to avoid having your children taken away, you must:

1. provide them with healthy food.
2. provide them with adequate shelter, which must also take into consideration their gender.
3. provide them good clean clothes. there's also the issue of peer pressure amongst the poor the same as any other group. this leads to the next issue:
4. provide a mentally healthy environment with adequate support for and concern over the emotional and mental well being of your children.

it gets worse.
i know. i had to dig pop and beer cans out of garbage cans and recycle them for 5 cents per pound, just so me and my hubby and son, could eat for that day. and he was working a full time job in the united states air force. we were freakn' poor as heck. so you know if we were that poor with the gov's paycheck, discounted food prices and medical, welfare people aren't doing any better.

reply to post by Liquesence
Yes, really.

All this is, is the start of a back and forth that'll go on until November.

The way the game is played is;
You throw talking points at me.
-I respond.
Then I throw out the latest travesty of the Obama administration
-and you respond.

This has been played out for millenia. Now it's words, back then it was dueling pistols at dawn. (and I'm a damned good shot!) Or a slap to the face with a white glove and crossed swords with ladies fanning themselves and swooning.
Names, titles, labels change.

But the debate lives on.

En Guarde!

reply to post by Daughter2


People here in MO. Get to live in nice houses. get food stamps all thier food is paid for. My friend is on all this stuff and her town home is nice. her kids wear name brand clothes,she sits at home doing nothing, and lives like she is rich. Don't sit here and try to act like you know me. and what i stand for,. or what i do.

Originally posted by cconn487
What is the definition of the term very poor when you make over 50k a day?

Thats the real question.

I don't know a single person who makes 1k a day, let alone 50. I would say making 1k a day to be very poor if I was making 50 times as much.

I'm sure his standards are a little off.

This reminds me of an infamous quote from Nelson Rockefeller, "The average American who makes $100,000 a year ...." * Mind you this was back in the 1970's when the average person wasn't even making $25,000 a year.

This quote is brought up to highlight how most rich people are clueless about how average people live.

Nelson Rockefeller was a grandson of the obscenely rich original Rockefeller of Standard Oil.
Certainly Mitt Romney did not grow up with that level of wealth.

But how can you expect people like this to understand what it's like to be poor -- to be forced to choose between heat or food? It's so far out of their personal experience, they must have difficulty imagining it.

* I searched for the source of this quote online -- it's a famous quote from an interview, and I could only find ONE mention of it. Only ONE site came up. I find this incredible. Not a good sign. Our web is already controlled -- access to info is sharply limited.

reply to post by undo


You know what? I agree 100% with that! That's why the middle class needs the most help, and it should start by bringing back jobs from overseas. But like you said, sending jobs overseas is the current business model and it's likely to continue.

Originally posted by AuranVector
Not only was Mitt Governor of Massachusetts, but he has a JD/MBA from Harvard. A JD/MBA is considered excellent preparation for becoming an investment banker or a venture capitalist. Romney understands how money & businesses work.

Obama has a law degree from Harvard, but prior to his 2008 election, no business experience, no military experience, no executive experience. What was he? A community organizer. Obama has about as much substance as a cardboard cut-out.

Obama has experience with the average person. He knows their needs and how things really work. He understand $300,000 isn't just a little money.

So you want the US to be run as an investment? Let's see - if we stop investigating child kidnappings we could save millions per year. After all, the missing child probably wouldn't contribute more than that in their life time?
Provide medical care to the elderly - that would be wasting resources on a fully depreciated asset.

I've worked for mega corps - I can tell you the these people have NO experience creating jobs. Repeat MAKING MONEY DOES NOT EQUAL CREATING JOBS.

What creates job is consumer demand.

And it's Obama understands it's the consumers (i.e for you Romney supporters "the little people") who make the jobs once they receive money. And Romney has no experience with the non-elite.

How can you people defend Romney , when as a Pres Candidate, he claims to have faith in the US.

And the Majority of his fortune is parked in the Caymens.

Do any of you have money to park in the Caymens???

No wonder he is so Dis-connected.

How out of context is Romneys statement ?

REALITY: ROMNEY AND GINGRICH SUPPORT GOP BUDGET THAT WOULD END MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT !
www.americablog.com...


This week, House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) unveiled a budget plan that would include “more than $4 trillion in federal spending reductions over the next decade,” largely by altering and cutting a number of entitlement and social safety net programs.
thinkprogress.org...

I think Mr. Romneys statement is quite clear as is his plan on how to fix it.