Horsey writes: "With these comments revealed, it becomes even more obvious that Romney has vast gaps in his understanding of the people he aspires to lead."

'This latest evidence of Romney's obtuseness appalled credible conservative commentators.' (photo: Jim Young/Reuters)

Cowboys and Millionaires Are in Mitt's 47%

By David Horsey, The Los Angeles Times

21 September 12

n the imaginary universe of Mitt Romney, the 47% of Americans who pay no income tax are loafers, shiftless bums and welfare queens who will all vote for President Obama in November. In the real world, that 47% includes the working poor, the newly unemployed, handicapped people, the elderly, veterans, 4,000 millionaires and the nation's greatest icon, the American cowboy.

A few years ago, I helped move a herd of cattle with some honest-to-God cowboys on a big ranch near White Sulphur Springs, Mont. At the end of the morning as the cows and calves mothered up, the cowboys told me how they loved the life they lived -- the broad land, the wide sky, the days tending animals, even the hard and endless work in all kinds of weather.

One of the cowboys said he knew he would never get rich; he and his wife lived with their kids in a tiny rental house and they would probably never have much more than that. But it was enough for him. He had no interest in being an entrepreneur, a venture capitalist or a king of Wall Street.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly income of a cowboy is around $25,000. Tax laws that were passed under President Reagan aimed to help Americans of modest means by giving them an income tax break. As a result, working people in the income strata below $30,000 a year are likely to pay little or no income tax. That covers a lot of cowboys.

Are they slackers? No, there is no one with a stronger work ethic than cowboys. A willingness to work does not guarantee affluence, though. Among the 47% that Romney disdains are millions of hardworking, poorly compensated people and other millions of retired folk who labored all their lives. But, in a speech to wealthy donors last May, Romney said he would not even try to win the votes of this 47% because they were "dependent on the government" and felt "entitled to healthcare, to food, to housing, to you-name-it."

With these comments revealed, it becomes even more obvious that Romney has vast gaps in his understanding of the people he aspires to lead. He speaks as though he is being fed lines by a staff made up of Ayn Rand zealots and Rush Limbaugh dittoheads and has no clue how they are misleading him.

This latest evidence of Romney’s obtuseness appalled credible conservative commentators, such as David Brooks and Bill Kristol. Limbaugh, of course, was ecstatic to have the Republican presidential nominee join him in a world without facts.

The sad reality is that Romney is wrong about one other thing: There are plenty of folks among the 47% who will vote for him -- and not just the millionaires who have found ways to evade the income tax. Working-class men, in particular, have fallen for the Republican call to "take back America" from gays, illegal immigrants, baby-killing feminists, tax-crazy liberals and a president who is just not truly American. They feel embattled and hope Romney will be on their side. But how can he be their champion when he does not even know who they are or how they live?

If Mitt Romney saw a real cowboy, he'd think it was costume night at the country club.

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+144 # indian weaver 2012-09-21 10:52

I had to laugh at the last line. We live in southwestern Colorado where ranching and farming constitute most of the local business, along with the energy industry's gas drilling. At City Market supermarket and everywhere else in town (pop. 10,000, county 18,000, elev. 6200') and country, locals wear their cowboy hats and boots, cowboys and cowgirls on horseback with their cattle dogs along the highways herding cattle from Winter to Summer pastures (and the tourists here for Mesa Verde stopped on the highway taking photos), our ever-present working and family dogs riding around in our trucks and cars with us. Yet, amazingly enough, the cowboy hat and boots are not costume dress for our "country club". I can't imagine harder working folks making less money and loving it. I guess we are the lazy hobos depending on government for our livelihoods? I don't think so. Cleaning out irrigation ditches, brush hogging acreage of tough sagebrush to enlarge our pastures, baling and stacking bales of hay for local consumption and trucking to market, this is a county of back breaking physical labors of love to pay our way. We are blessed to live in clean space and emptiness, far from romney's rich and famous geniuses. Many of us have to laugh at this guy who actually has deceived himself and many others into viewing him as presidential material. Gimme a break, and another laugh.

+4 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:05

Enjoy it Fracking may not affect you at your altitude but it will affect others.

I am glad someone in a different situation has given us a glimpse of how American seems to meld into the employment in its midst.

I was offended for the Military...not all are brass slugs.

+18 # indian weaver 2012-09-22 05:10

Fracking is here. Altitude has nothing to do with it. It's as horrible here as everywhere. Underground explosions have already knocked one home off its foundation just north of cortez, co. Bill Barrett Co. is doing the damages and is facing a lawsuit by the AG of colorado, filed in Denver. The underground explosions are also suspected of weakening the foundation of Cliff Palace on Mesa Verde, the largest cliff dwelling in the national park. We know all about fracking here.

+10 # Regina 2012-09-22 09:40

Romney comes with rich and notorious scoundrels and jackasses, not "geniuses." Cowboys know a helluva lot more about nature than these dingbats, who know zilch about human reproduction, climate, evolution, and all the other science areas they firmly think they have a choice and a vote, for or (usually) against.

0 # robniel 2012-09-25 10:30

As Mozzie would say, "He's an empty suit".

+67 # fishmother 2012-09-21 11:08

I can see no way in which anything akin to reality will shake all if those wood be good lie boys from Romney. It's too bad that there isn't some ID requirement that could keep em from voting. Is there a way to make racism & stupidity a case for voter fraud?

+43 # CL38 2012-09-21 12:40

Racism, misogyny, homophobia, stupidity, lying and propagating misinformation should all be grounds to prevent those who believe in a right to discriminate, from running for public office!

We need tests that those aspiring for public office have to pass that weed out extremists. Otherwise, our politicians are certainly not serving all Americans, only old white males.

-50 # JackB 2012-09-21 17:05

No doubt you could be persuaded to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to indicate how one knows who fits into one or more o your categories.

I mean terms like "racism". Obviously the word refers to a particular mindset & behavior but it is also the term thrown at anybody who disagrees with a liberal.

"Stupidity" is another word that creates a problem. It, too, as a clear meaning in the dictionary but among liberals it seems to be another word for those who disagree with them. The amusing thing is the traditional meaning doesn't apply to liberals. Take a blithering idiot like Pelosi. Is she stupid? Not to liberals which says a lot.

"Lying". The logical choice would be Obama but let's get serious. If Pelosi gets a free ride there is no way in hell Divine Barry gets singled out. Anyway they are all Bush's fault.

+5 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:14

No I do not give anyone the right to blame.
We all know that Republicans destroy economy, now are War Mongers but Democrats have options on energy, jobs, banks, wall street and they seem to flock towards money like the others. I have met other parties over the past thirty years, most including Nader, Paul love those high end parties more than sitting at the campfires with those Cowboys. I found many of them to be genius, but bores...their way or no way not unlike others.
Push came to shove amongst may of us at meeting on Environment, reason many things did not get done when we had Ears...everyone believed their Interest the most important and so stalemates happen.

I think that the images of Cowboys are cute but I met many a Rancher and Cowboy and they were rich, rent out land to hunters, set up easy kills, camping, hikers...if there is a way to tap into the tourism or some kind of market...they did and many times to the disadvantage to the Wildlife of America.

But I see not a one of you think of those who serve us in the field or on the lines who are definitely in that 47%. I believe the hypocrite of knowing anything being Christian...is ready to send our Children out to fight for Israel. I am personally hoping we have a no exception draft.
But I believe his wording follows his heart. China First

+8 # CAMUS1111 2012-09-21 18:24

Jack--you fit in--clearly.

+8 # Shipton 2012-09-21 19:42

Quoting JackB:

No doubt you could be persuaded to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to indicate how one knows who fits into one or more o your categories.

Jack, did you actually read the article and see the video? Sadly, you probably fall into the 47% that the twit was reffering to because you no doubt feel like you are entitled to food and medical care, but yet you have been brainwashed into believing that Mitt is the annointed one to lead this country. When they win and raise your taxes and take away your Social Security and medicare, and you insurance policy is capped when you need it the most and you have to go literally begging for help with medical bills, believe me you will sincerely have my deepest sympathy.

+5 # ghostperson 2012-09-21 22:37

My, my somebody stepped on the little baby toes of a poor little winger whose party is that of George W. Bush, an intellectual giant of peerless truthfulness and of a cult member who only captures the power of fluid speech to insult half the country and our closest ally.

When living in a crystal palace, it is best not to throw cinder blocks.

How one knows is by listening and looking what's there for all to see.

Democrats, of which I am not one, don't need to campaign hard at this point, Republicans are doing a great job of electing them.

+1 # CL38 2012-09-22 10:14

If tests can be used to determine whether workers would be a good employee, psychiatrists could easily compile a test that would reveal racist, homophobic and misogynistic tendencies.

Stupidity, the inability to research, take in accurate information, think for yourself and draw logical conclusions. T

Lying: the tendency to believe and repeat non-factual information to further your party's goals. A total lack of sensitivity and emotional intelligence.

If you need further help, try Republican John Dean's "Conservatives without Conscience".

+2 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:05

Going on way too long and then we are not different from their Voter Fraud

+114 # solange 2012-09-21 11:10

mitt forgot to mention churches as tax avoiders.

+49 # Atia 2012-09-21 13:34

Specifically churches that preach politics and racism - I am aware of only a few churches that truly stick to only religion.

+13 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:17

Religion was founded on Fear, Dominance and Submission. All Churches have Governing Bodies. No not much difference at all

+4 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:16

Some have been having to pay taxes, salaries of have been taxed. But school taxes now, property taxes have closed many Religious schools...those parents had to pay twice.

We would all avoid taxes...I am more disgusted by their investing everywhere but in America...Mitte ns sending jobs esp our American Olympic uniforms to China. Investing in your Country speaks more loudly and the sheeple are not listening again

+3 # James Smith 2012-09-22 06:07

Good point. We're talking $71 Billion a year in tax avoidance. I wonder how far that might go in truly providing health care equal to what the USA is already paying for in Afghanistan and Iraq? It might also go quite well to reducing the national debt or perhaps funding bases on the moon and mars.

There's a video about this at: http://slrman.minus.com/lbrT3pWp4BcqWD

+70 # LeeBlack 2012-09-21 11:29

Many American's aspire to a good life - rather than a wealthy life-they should have that opportunity and be respected for their cultural view just as we should be tolerant of different religious views.

Although the wealthy pay taxes the tax loop holes they take advantage of make them the biggest parasites. That isn't a criticism, most people take advantage of tax loop holes. I'm not going to say, "Please take my money instead of decreasing my taxes due to my mortgage interest", but there should be an awareness and a fairness. Why should capital gains tax rate be less than a working person's income tax? Lowering the Capital Gains tax rate does not encourage investment - the last 8 years show that.

+74 # cordleycoit 2012-09-21 11:30

Romney will never get it, his upbringing is bringing him down. His fake pride in self and what he has stolen from the people: money, jobs, their retirement,heal th, food , college. Look at what he has to offer:stinking oceans, mountain top removal. Poisoned water from fracking, oil spills,forest fires, defunded eduction, starvation disease, mutant Monsanto crops.The list gets long There has to be another choice?

+44 # dyannne 2012-09-21 12:31

When Mitt only pays 13 percent taxes on his 20 million dollar a year income I would say he himself is a tax avoider. What's more appalling than someone like him or a cowboy who makes $25,000 a year and gets a tax break?

+57 # Billy Bob 2012-09-21 13:03

He only paid that 13% on his TAXABLE income. He has millions more in NON-taxable income. He doesn't see any hypocricy in that fact.

+7 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:22

Amen and not just him

+13 # Muzzi 2012-09-22 08:27

Yes, he took advantage of a lot of deductions: i.e. $77,000 to take care of a $500,000 "Therapy" horse for his wife.
Most people don't make $77,000 a year, and if they did, they would pay a rate closer to 25% not 14%.

+7 # ruttaro 2012-09-22 11:17

I can't say the horse didn't deserve it. How would you like to live with such pretentious people knowing you are just their idea of rich people's bling. Maybe the horse knows how they transported Seamus, the family dog and wonders what they have in mind for it?

+9 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:21

I could live with the elite paying taxes and getting their write offs....It is what they are not paying taxes on...The money they invest in other Countries esp China than us that speaks the loudest of where there mindset lies. If all the Millionaire/Bil lionaire paid tax on their assets and investments.... SS would be in good shape We have allowed them to do this, GOP and Lawyers/Economi sts made it easy for them. We are still lapping up the crumbs

+13 # Muzzi 2012-09-22 08:30

People who make over $106,800 a year have their Social Security tax capped at that point. Why don't they continue paying Social Security taxes if they make more than $106,800? They can certainly afford it, and it would help the Social Security progaram.

+8 # fishmother 2012-09-22 12:21

Absolutely! When the rest of us, okay, I'll speak for myself, pay a hefty percent, it is an atrocity for Romney to even think that he's paying his fare share. To me that sounds like his way of promising his rich pals that they can expect the same!

+33 # hillwright 2012-09-21 12:32

He is going to lose his working class Republicans, the urban "cowboys" who also are self reliant and work long hours and had hope for help from the Republicans. They may not have a lot of money, but they are not stupid! And that's the truth, a rare commodity in the Republican campaign.

+51 # artsci 2012-09-21 12:37

There's no hope for a guy who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.

+22 # Vardoz 2012-09-21 15:44

And bullied gays when he was young, dressed up in a phony state Troopers uniform to make trouble for people just for the fun of it. The news also wouldn't bring up his fetus selling business. He is so pathetic and a liar. What kind of a person does these things and now thinks he's presidential material.

+6 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:26

A man who rides on a prissy horse and ties his dog to a roof of his Auto should not degrade anyone. I believe that there is a percentage poll somewhere that shows that in every family how many may have gay tendencies...Mi tt has 5 sons mmmmmm

+5 # ghostperson 2012-09-21 22:41

I must have missed the state trooper episode. Had put the gay thing out of my mind. In contest of what has happened over the last two months, it is definitely a big sign of where his head is. And I don't mean up his ass where it vacations.

+19 # speedboy 2012-09-21 16:09

Quoting artsci:

There's no hope for a guy who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.

".......And then proudly steals second"

+2 # ghostperson 2012-09-21 22:39

Great remark.

+49 # Billy Bob 2012-09-21 12:38

Until Twit started running for President HE was in the 47%. THAT'S why he won't release those returns.

I'd also like to hear him discuss the tax rate for ALL income people pay.

Also, what percentage do poor people pay in TOTAL taxes (including sales, state, payroll, homeowner's, renters, utilities, etc.)?

NOW...

What percentage does Twit pay in TOTAL taxes out of ALL of his income (including money he didn't earn from working, but acquired by other means)?

If the right-wing wants to talk about taxes,

LET'S TALK ABOUT TAXES!!!

+6 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:33

We pay their taxes since we pay for their homes, utilities, cars, gas,salaries so that War about Taxation is out of context anymore.
We pay our taxes on salary that ranges up to one third. Then we pay taxes so no one else has to....
I believe we pay upwards of 75% taxes and that is why I do not bitch about people on Welfare. I worked three jobs, I was on Welfare for 3 years....I paid for that three years. I got off because I wasn't going to grovel for $188 a mth..
Whoever makes a Career out of Welfare in the good years .... now I just cannot downgrade people due to circumstances.

I wonder how much those who sold our jobs out made on doing so from the Countries they went to. If you go to local meetings at County and State level, you would see that Walmart actually got paid to go into many areas...no taxes for x amount of years.

Every large Corporate Development Center that ever set up in a town or city...got perks to do so and was like a whore on a block getting bids. We are sold out at every angle and we pay them to do so.

+8 # maverita 2012-09-22 05:50

And with our help the Walton family now controls 41 % of USA wealth? ANd they treat their employees abysmally. many don't make enough to pay income taxes. No health insurance, so taxpayers often have to foot he bill for Walmart employees' healthcare. For most, No retirement plans to speak of, so the government and taxpayers end up footing those bills as well... But they are "Christian" and they built it alone? Feel like we have all fallen down the rabbit hole.

+14 # pietheyn 2012-09-21 20:28

Billy Bob: Let's talk about not releasing past tax returns. Are we to trust, not verify; the Gipper warned us about such folk. My supposition about Romney's refusal to release the forms goes something like this:
The Mormon Church requires a tithe of 10% of income to remain in good standing. I believe the bulk of Romney's "charitable" donations goes into the Church's various relief(for Mormons), building funds, etc., however,because of his huge
income,his donations do not match up to Church requirements. Thus, his secrecy and reluctance to reveal has more to do with his peer standing than with the general electorate. Please remember that lying in the pursuit of God's Plan,is condoned by Mormons; deceiving the Church and not abiding by it's Doctrine and Covenants is a Sin.
I realize that my thoughts have ranged into strange territory. However, since Romney has chosen to denigrate those of us that do not pay income taxes because of income level and deductions, I, too, suggest that we not let the tax issue fade away.
I am a WW2 veteran and grandfather of a herd of struggling, wonderful grand kids.

+4 # Billy Bob 2012-09-22 10:34

You may be onto something. My parents are the same age as you (my dad is a WWII vet as well) and they feel exactly the same. I don't know how the right thinks it can win elections by intentionally insulting and trying to personally destroy people of your generation. Thanks for the great comment!

+10 # ruttaro 2012-09-21 23:35

Absolutely! And let the plutocrats explain the subsidies they get, guys like Romney and corporations like Exon Mobile and GE who take their subsidized income sheltered through notorious tax loop holes, and then invest it overseas or hide it in tax havens. Ask them what actions show the true test of a patriot? Ask GE if they would be for closing tax loopholes when those same loopholes allowed them to make $14 billon profit and not pay a dime in taxes. Then let's ask the Senate Republicans if they would close a few of these loopholes so they could pay for a jobs bill for veterans rather than kill the bill like they did today. Let's ask Paul Ryan, the GOPs best answer for screwing the middle class and poor if his tax policy intends to make the taxes on income from investments he same as taxes on income from working. Let's ask him if saddling our kids with unsustainable debt is wiser than raising taxes on these uber-rich welfare queens so we could give our children student loans at the same rate - 0.5% - as banks get from the federal reserve. How about a tax write off for interest paid on credit card debt which averages 15% when the banks are borrowing at less than 1%? How about JUSTICE? How about we perp walk the leeches to jail for their crimes? You are right, Billy Bob, let's get them talking rather than giving us the sanctimonious platitudes of the Ronmey-ite leisure class.

+3 # Billy Bob 2012-09-22 10:30

WOW! That was a great comment! Each of your remarks would be a slap in the face of repug wiz-dum. It amazes me that the left isn't taking the right to task more on this issue. It's one where all of the facts are on our side and where you'd probably win a public debate again ayn ryan himself. Thanks for the response.

+5 # ruttaro 2012-09-22 11:19

I think your remark is exactly what Duval Patrick was referring to when he said Democrats need to grow back bone. Right you are, Billy Bob...we have the facts; the left just needs the back bone and the will to challenge the power structures in this country. Keep up the good fight!

+42 # Buddha 2012-09-21 12:49

"The sad reality is that Romney is wrong about one other thing: There are plenty of folks among the 47% who will vote for him".

When you act like a sheep, you can't be surprised when you get sheared and turned into cutlets. Middle-class and working poor Americans who vote GOP need to wake up and realize they are being fooled into voting against their self-interest by issues of mass distraction like gay marriage and abortion, which the GOP waves about like a bloody shirt to encite the rubes to their ranks.

+3 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:36

Thanks.... I believe he has put along with his GOP/TP a wedge in some votes. I hope that continues to grow .

But I saw it before with RR,Bush Sr the Jr so.... How did they get so immune and dumb ... and why don't we expect more from the Party. Why do we vote ... Does anyone care anymore. We are but a handful of sand.....

+34 # James Smith 2012-09-21 12:51

It isn't really that he doesn't know. It's that he doesn't care. in his arrogant elitism, anyone not of his "class" are automatically bums and not even really human.

+6 # ghostperson 2012-09-21 22:46

Good point, he doesn't care because he lacks the mental equipment to care. Those without empathy are often sociopaths or those born to the manor who are so insulated from common reality that they assume they and their status is the norm. Commoners are "not their kind."

+22 # Vardoz 2012-09-21 13:30

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Mitt and his gang would take apart our society as we know it, not that it hasn't already been damaged enough but these guys would take meat cleavers to the all those who are not millionaires and billionaires. Everything about his platform is a horror show- their assault on women, equal pay, health care, Soc Sec, Medicare, education, our train system. Even China has a bullet train! And forget the 35 million poor families, 51+ million with no health care and the working poor, middle class, blacks, Hispanics and seniors you name it - this is all about the rich man's club. They will deregulate, defund and privatize everything so they can take our tax dollars with no accountability. These guys are a rich persons and corporations wet dream. They are the outsourcing kings and as Boehner said
"NO JOBS SO BE IT" and congress has kept their word. And they also plan to steal the election too. These guys are so in our faces about how much they want to screw the 99% and people are starting to realize this in a big way. Lets just pray they don't steal too many votes.

+9 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:46

Except for one thing...they need slaves.
So the trillionaires, billionaires and milliounaires will destroy us then start killing themselves off Who cares.

Time this planet is cleansed of humans...we supposedly got the top prize a brain and knowing how to use it....above the beasts .... I think not.

If GOP gets in do you think they will bring jobs back? or Gas Prices down? Help homeowners keep their homes?

I hope no one said yes, it will never happen....you let it get here. I remember you all laughing at us environmentalis ts, social activists. Now not so funny .... there will be no clean water, air, and your faucets may be able to light your cigar.

Have a good weekend I would love to see you all organizing in your Communities, getting people ID I remember everyone pro OWS now there are things you could have been doing, and taken your lap top with. Did you do anything?

+9 # seeuingoa 2012-09-21 14:22

You need to change politicians and diapers frequently, for all the same reasons.

+1 # ghostperson 2012-09-21 22:47

Fantastic comment.

+25 # JayMagoo 2012-09-21 15:33

I knew Romney's type. I attended college in the 1960s on the GI Bill and the eastern university I attended was loaded with rich prep-school boys like Mitt Romney. Like Romney, the worst of them were bigoted, smug, arrogant, and stupid. When I read about Romney recruiting a group of his prep-schoolmate s to cut the hair of a kid they considered effeminate, and then try to excuse it as a schoolboy's prank, I recognized Mitt. Then I read about his activities at Bain Capital, putting people out of work, selling their company's assets, in some cases confiscating their pensions, and out-sourcing their product so they'd be unable to find work in their field, I said, "Yep, I know that guy."
His speech in Florida last may captured by Mother Jones sealed the deal for me. He was the prep-school, fraternity boy I knew back when I wore my old army field jacket to class and had to park my old 48 Ford beside their new MGs and Austin Healys. The Mother Jones piece was no surprise to me. The only surprise was that very few other Americans recognized Mitt Romney as I had. There should be some kind of a prize for the guys at Mother Jones. Thanks to them, the rest of America is starting to catch on. I hope it's not too late.

+4 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:41

People want to be like that...that is why they cling to these clones.

I remember them also My friends were dying in Nam...they were having dad pay everyone off.

Kennedy's and others were exceptions but there were plenty of them and you know what there is more now...they did breed and that is a problem....

+18 # speedboy 2012-09-21 15:52

Ann Romney can write off her hobby-horse for $77K, but Joe Citizen cannot write off his car, nor the rising cost of fuel, that he needs in order to get to work and stay alive! If we are a democracy, how can injustices like this exist---and men like Romney be a candidate???

+4 # popeye47 2012-09-21 17:27

If Mitt Romney saw a real cowboy, he'd think it was costume night at the country club.

What about those cowboys- Bush and Reagan. Both hard working cowboys and honest and sincere. Oh well, a little sarcasm is good for the soul.

+5 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:38

Bush was never good anything either of them.
But Ronnie really pulled a fast one....like Eastwood maybe being a Cowboy, and Actor then a Politician is a research need. The rest of the Sheelplites are Clones.

+8 # hillwright 2012-09-22 05:10

As soon as W was out of office he dropped the "ranch" thing. Both he and Laura said they "hated it". No more brush cuttin' and pick up trucks. Adios rancho...!

+4 # Billy Bob 2012-09-22 10:54

As soon as Twit is no longer running for President he'll drop the whole 14% thing and apply for a full refund on all of his Mormon Church donations. His effective tax rate will be only 10%, but he won't allow that to hurt his campaign until late November and he's already out of the race anyway.

By the way, Ray-gun always looked stupid puting on his cute little cowboy hat and choppin' wood. It's something conservative politicians think they have to do.

Watch the movie "A FACE IN THE CROWD" for an unvarnished look into the conservative political mindset. That movie came out in 1957 and it already had the phony nature of the conservative myth nailed.

It's just an OLD OLD OLD marketing technique. I think it's often refered to as "PLAIN FOLKS".

+3 # grouchy 2012-09-21 18:15

On the other hand, considering more important things, isn't Romney pretty!

+3 # BeaDeeBunker 2012-09-21 20:03

Yes, he's the perfect example of an oxymoron...he's pretty ugly!

+3 # ghostperson 2012-09-21 22:55

What's with that white ring around his hair line in the back. It only showed up recently. The white on his side burns changes in size and shape all the time-- just about as frequently as the color of his skin. Do we have a budding metrosexual? And sweet Ann, that "Stop it!" comment showed that the Ann Stepford Romney show was likek Barbara Bushes." Titanium magnolas. I want Annie to show me her fangs, I would like her better. I don't dislike her but it must be exhausting driving with the break on.

+5 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-21 18:59

Besides all the faults of both parties. Everyone who is rich paying people to get them tax write offs.
Sin is the untaxable money, our paying everyone else's taxes.

Romney's Insult...Servic e Men and Women...they go fight in places they should not be, they get injured, ill, die then some sleazeball makes a mockery of them.
Police, Firefighters, Workers (Union or not), small bus owners can stand up to these creeps and should. But it is a little hard to do so when you are overseas in battles that make no sense, killing innocent children and seniors not to mention women, which does affect them. We send them off to kill, keep democracy? and then tell them they are not in Mitts class and then they may be sent to Iran to fight for Israel ? He is selling them off before they get home I am sure his kids aren't serving because otherwise the Media would be flaunting this in our faces. We seemed to miss the real people I am sorry I see Cowboys as Ranchers, elite who are Industrial Monsanto Farmers or Hollywood Cattle owner. I needed to be reminded of the Workers.
Wealthy do not pay their fair share of taxes so they should be staked. Since they all invest outside the USA, it is the Fad just like buying chinese cars, bikes and everything else Even our Flag isn't American made.

But he is insulting people who are willing to die for his ____ and he spits in their faces. I hope their families remember it in Nov

+9 # sameasiteverwas 2012-09-21 19:06

I would be satisfied to see Romney's UNAMENDED 2009 income tax return. I think it's likely he made a bundle on the whole mortgage crisis, and that this is why he won't/can't release any returns prior to 2010 -- because how despicable would it be to have someone running for President who made tens of millions of dollars off the collapse of our entire economy? And then stashed the money offshore? Maybe even he can understand how reprehensible that would be, and that's why the Big Balk.

+3 # Billy Bob 2012-09-22 10:44

He won't release those old returns because he wasn't running for President yet and didn't bother to doctor them to make them look good.

He intentionally didn't claim as much of a right-off on some of his Mormon Church donation for his 2011 return. If he had, he would have only paid 10%. He calculated that that would have been too embarrassing, so until the election is over, he won't claim all of his Mormon tithe. After he loses in November, he still has time to amend his return to get that full refund.

In effect, his tax rate isn't much higher than what the poor pay in SALES TAX ALONE.

Since he will never release his returns from before 2010, I think it's safe to assume he paid nothing, or pretty close to it.

+9 # Majikman 2012-09-21 19:25

The slaveholder viewed his slave as less than human (4/5ths of a person?)to justify his theft of the slave's labor. The settlers viewed Native Americans as mindless savages to justify the theft of their land and genocide.
The sociopathic Romney's view the 47% as lazy, shiftless, freeloaders to justify the continued theft of the commonwealth. Romney's big mistake was inadvertently giving their game away. Make no mistake...the repugs want it ALL.

+8 # Rich Austin 2012-09-21 21:33

Mitt is pitiful. He is an embarrassment to our nation. (Ditto the whole right-wing crowd!)

There should be a litmus test as a precursor to running for office. A candidate should at least comprehend the policies of our nation.

Article 25 of The United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights very clearly states: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

Mitt of privilege burped this refrain: “There are 47 percent who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. These are people who pay no income tax.”

Duh, Mitt. Read Article 25. The U.S. helped draft it, and the U.S. voted for it. It is the policy of the United States. Don’t they teach government at Bain?

Pitiful!

+4 # Billy Bob 2012-09-22 10:39

You just explained another reason why the right-wing hates the U.N. and think the U.S. is being secretly taken over by black U.N. helicopters.

0 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-22 10:43

Proves again that these people are the ones buying tests, not taking courses, than dubbed intelligent. I have seen more intelligence in the streets than in any Politician, Lawyer or Economist. I have seen a lot of smart budgets too...not millionaires but made ends meet, had a treat to boot.

Our Own Constitution gives way that Americans are entitled...ther e is that word again...to a quality of life.

Whose quality is what we should be deciphering.

+9 # Midwestgeezer 2012-09-22 07:21

And what of those "victims" who were waiting tables and "serving" the way too well-off folks at the dinner? Some of them were perhaps working a second job to add a few bucks to their income. They had to sit and listen to his screwed up view of them as victims whom he cannot convince to quit their dependence on "gummint" (Dubya's word)to provide them with everything.

I've said this before but all I needed to know about Mitt was that as a "preppie" he rounded up a "posse" to capture and hold down a classmate whose lifestyle he disliked, so he could assault him by cutting off his hair, thereby showing himself to be not only an elitist but a coward and a bully in the process. He, however, was the only one of six involved who has no recollection of his cowardly deed!!

And what of his running mate? All I need know of him is that he was and still is a follower of that screwball Ayn Rand!

+3 # Granny Weatherwax 2012-09-22 09:22

It took me some time and a (painful) reading of Atlas Shrugged to realize that the verb "to rant" came from the original pronunciation of Ayn Rand's name.

+2 # KittatinyHawk 2012-09-22 10:55

Perhaps one of her better contributions.

I did not mind her writing, I thought she was intelligent. I just did not need to follow her.
TP Seems to us to live and breathe her but that would be a mockery of their hating women. I just believe they took a new Cultism of Corporate Bigotry and stand by it. And they will affect their families....I wonder if they will care.

Ms Rand was I believe, mocking Corporate and portraying those who would live and breathe it as what they are, but then that is my opinion.

Ranting it is still a freedom of speech, it clears our head of drivel, webs of words. When we were fighting a disease, the meds were so horrific for some and tiring for others. We came together regularly to let each know we were still alive. And we vented, ranted, raged at the meds, the disease...66 of 67 are still alive. To Rant a necessity to keep the feelings alive within, to remind us we have something worth fighting for.
Once we quiet up, we are sand heads.
This thread was a positive rant, how refreshing

+1 # speedboy 2012-09-22 13:03

Quoting Granny Weatherwax:

It took me some time and a (painful) reading of Atlas Shrugged to realize that the verb "to rant" came from the original pronunciation of Ayn Rand's name.

Great Observation Granny---you may be old but you ain't senile!

+6 # chrisconnolly 2012-09-22 10:31

Did anybody hear the interview on Terry Gross the other night with a man who recently wrote a book about corporations who collect payroll taxes from their employees but then don't have to pay those collected taxes to the state? Astounding. Companies tax their employees for the benefit of working for that company. Are these the freeloading corporations Romney was talking about?

+4 # Rich Austin 2012-09-22 22:11

Here is a nauseating fact: Residents of the ten states that most rely on government assistance reside in NM, TX, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL, and ID. Nine of the ten have childhood poverty rates in excess of 20%. Those states also have high rates of illiteracy and dismal health care programs. Most of the Senators from the ten are Republican. All but two voted for McCain and what’s her name.

Here is a question that begs an intelligent answer.

After eight years of poverty under Republican rule, most southern states nonetheless voted for another Republican in 2008 and they are poised to do the same here in 2012. Ok, now the question: What are the southerners getting for their loyalty?

Oops, here’s another: Do they have enough pride to stand up for themselves and tell Romney to take his f______ “47%” talk and play jam with it? (After all, he was referring to them.)

0 # nhw 2012-09-24 09:14

Horsey, Seattle misses you and your wonderful cartoons and comments.

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