Is Romney correct about 47% of Americans?

[onan]

Jesus was not at all socialist - in fact the origin of separation of church and state begins with his render unto Caesar quote. He advocated charity, not government seizure of property.

"Socialism". Oxford English Dictionary. "1. A theory or policy of social organization which aims at or advocates the ownership and control of the means of production, capital, land, property, etc., by the community as a whole, and their administration or distribution in the interests of all.

But that is just semantics. You can find derivations of any social construct.

And he advocated more than charity. Jesus' words... albeit in English:

"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

I can go on... if you want.

[Ben Shockley]

...As for Romney, I interpreted what he said as realizing that 47% of people will never vote for him - which I think is realistic. I'm not sure he was casting them off as much as thinking they had cast him off.

If it were just that, then I'd agree with you.  Realpolitik.  But it's clear from the rest of what he said-- what with you being picky today about "context" -- that he wasn't just saying 47% had written him off.
Romney was specifically saying that the people in question wouldn't vote for him ONLY BECAUSE they expected a payoff from Obama that Principled Mitt won't give.  That ONLY people who "refuse to take responsibility for their lives" will vote for Obama; that ONLY people who "refuse to take responsibility for their lives" receive any kind of government benefit-- because he had to be referencing all government benefits to get anywhere near that "47%" figure.   Further, he connoted that ONLY income tax funds any government process or program; thus connoting that the people who successive Congresses of both major parties have agreed MAKE TOO DAMN LITTLE TO BE ABLE TO PAY income tax are therefore total freeloaders.

No, Fill, he went way beyond your charitable electoral interpretation.   He was making a damning moral judgement about the people in question:  that unless you're already on board with him --and frankly, unless you were born rich-- you're just a worthless socio-moral fuckup.

[Ben Shockley]

...And he advocated more than charity. Jesus' words... albeit in English:
"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
I can go on... if you want.

Don't waste your time, Onan.
These self-labeled "Christian" folks who are drooling at the dreamy zombie eyes of Paul Ryan don't understand that his guru, Ayn Rand, also provided the basis for Anton LaVey's Church Of Satan.  According to LaVey himself.

Paul Ryan, Vice-Savior Of The Christian Right = Satanist By Association.

The contradictions on the Right are never-ending.

[PB the Deplorable]

I've heard a number thrown around a lot for a few years now - 47% of people don't pay taxes.  I't's usually brought up in response to the Ds talking about the rich not paying their fair share.  It's never brought up that they are talking about Federal Income Taxes only - and that these people DO pay sales tax, payroll tax, tax on gas, and all the other taxes we have

I am suspicious of statistics I see like that, so I have now idea if it's even true.  If it is true, does that include children?  College kids?  Stay at home moms?  Retired people that have money but not enough income to pay taxes?  People being paid under the table?

What I hear in the tape is Romney pointing out that 47% aren't interested in tax cuts (Federal Income Tax), and thus he can't attract them with just that, because they don't pay any.   Then he goes off on a tangent, mixing those people up and lumping all of them in with the freeloaders. 

The debates should be interesting with both these douches away from their handlers and tele-prompters.

[PB the Deplorable]

Don't waste your time, Onan.
These self-labeled "Christian" folks...

The contradictions on the Right are never-ending.

Don't assume all 'right-wingers' are Christians or even religious - even if they stand up for the rights of people that are.  Don't assume people pointing out reasons Iran might get their facilities bombed favor the bombing.

[Ben Shockley]

I've heard a number thrown around a lot for a few years now - 47% of people don't pay taxes...  these people DO pay sales tax, payroll tax, tax on gas, and all the other taxes we have.
...Romney [was] pointing out that 47% aren't interested in tax cuts (Federal Income Tax), and thus he can't attract them with just that [which is all he has -Ed.] because they don't pay any.   Then he goes off on a tangent, mixing those people up and lumping all of them in with the freeloaders. 

STAY LIKE THIS, P*B !!

I still say he wasn't "mixing up" anything though.  He said what he meant: that only the morally-worthless won't vote for him; AND that not already being "for" him means you're morally worthless.   "Electoral Calvinism" -- but that would take more time than I want to spend right now.

[Juan]

I can go on... if you want.

I think we've both made our points.  It's nice having a civil discussion without name calling.  See folks.  It is possible.

[Pragmier]

Romney answered the question on Hannity, stating his comments were "completely wrong". He's now all about the 100% and portrayed himself as the true defender of the poor (oh yeah he used the P word)

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1878836236001/exclusive-mitt-romney-on-hannity-part-2/

My apologies for the commercials - go to 7:20 mark.

[Widget]

Social Security and Social Security disability isn't welfare. It has nothing to do with other Americans being kind to the disabled to "pay for them." It has everything to do with involuntary FICA taxes that were subtracted from these people's earnings through their working lives. People who paid into Federal taxes have every right to use that investment to survive, if need be.

The modern Right negates to note that. They make it seem like it's some "handout" from the government. You can't blame Americans who justly paid into that system to call out what's owed to them, when the government misappropriated those funds and decided to use Social Security taxes to fund other things. Mainly two wars. For example.

Welfare is welfare. That's not what disability is. If people need to hire some lawyer to argue their disability because their claim was rejected, it tells you how bogus the claim was. Social Security requires you to provide the former 15 years of your employment, so that can be confirmed with the IRS through your Social-Security serial number.

Sure, people cheat the system. Grossly. I estimate at least 70 percent of those getting disability neither should be receiving it, nor have the ability or intention of ever doing anything with their lives. That's the problem. Not the system, but those numerous, deceptive people who abuse it.

[analog kid]

      Love the idea of people making 40 grand a year who think Romney is speaking for "them". DSM-V should have a section especially for them.

It cost 50 grand just attend and hear Romney say that.