Romney: Not focused on poor, they have safety net
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) - Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, confident after his Florida primary victory, ended up inviting criticism Wednesday when he said he’s “not concerned about the very poor” because they have an “ample safety net.”
Democrats and Republicans alike pounced and the GOP front-runner quickly sought to explain his remarks.
“No, no, no, no, no, no, no,” Romney told reporters on his campaign plane when asked about the comments. “No, no, no. You’ve got to take the whole sentence, all right, it’s mostly the same.” He said his remark was consistent with his theme throughout the race, adding: “My energy is going to be devoted to helping middle-income people.”
Despite that explanation, Romney’s comments quickly became an immediate distraction from his message that he’s more conservative than chief rival Newt Gingrich and from the double-digit thumping the former House speaker sustained in Florida. His campaign worked behind the scenes to provide context for the comment.
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Romney: Not focused on poor, they have safety net
We have an ample safety net? Really? Pray tell what might that safety net be exactly?
As most of my readers know, I am retired on a fixed income. My wife works but she’s one of those under-employed that we hear so much about. She had her really great paying job phased out a while back, they outsourced, then she ended up with a job almost as good but after a few years that job ended too. My wife was making more money than the manager she worked for and that just couldn’t be allowed to happen.
Since then, she has worked, and worked hard, at a similar job, but one that pays far less than she made before.
She has applied for every job in her field that showed up in the MANY job searches she still does on a daily basis, but the fact of the matter is this; my wife is 61 years old and yeah, I do know it’s illegal to discriminate against a person because of age, sex of infirmity, but so far, she is VERY under-employed, and it looks like she’s going to stay that way.
No one has come right out and told her she was too old for the job, but her qualifications are impeccable, her work history is unblemished, and you don’t have to actually HEAR the words we just can’t hire someone of that age to KNOW it IS a deciding factor.
I guess under-employment for her and a fixed income for me is what we face.
But wait a minute, maybe all we need to do is submit her resume to the office of President Barack Hussein Obama. He said there are MANY jobs out there for the well educated and well trained didn’t he? He told that lady to send HIM her husbands resume. What a guy!
Since we all know the Obama jobs thing is a bunch of crap, just where is that ample safety net Mr. Romney speaks of? Anyone?
There are days when I consider closing the blog to save the money it takes to operate on a privately hosted, paid platform like WordPress.org.
It is not cheap to operate on a PAID platform, but the freedom of speech it gives me is worth it for as long as I can keep it open. I can’t be arbitrarily deleted because some liberal clown at Google/Blogger didn’t like what I had to say!
But here’s the truth about a fixed income, it limits my options drastically, and I KNOW it’s tight all over. I have had some awesome donations over the years and that has enabled me to keep on plugging away on an unlimited number of items, unafraid of censorship. But if those that have donated in the past are facing the same set of problems my wife and I are facing, it is VERY understandable why those donations have all but dried up.
So, I ask again, where, exactly, is that ample safety net Mr. Romney? Can you point us ALL in the right direction?
As the day began, the former Massachusetts governor told CNN from Florida: “I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it. I’m not concerned about the very rich. They’re doing just fine. I’m concerned about the very heart of America, the 90-95 percent of Americans who right now are struggling.”
We, my wife and I, are not POOR, but we’re on that list of Americans that are struggling to get by, just as I know many of you are.
Romney says, “If it needs repair, I’ll fix it” but he failed to even remotely address just how he plans to ”fix it“.
It’s not that I believe Newt is any better than Romney, it’s not that I believe Santorum or Ron Paul are any better either. I think we ALL agree, Romney or Newt would do a much better job than Barack Hussein Obama, but other than a lot of talk, vague words, what has any of them said that would inspire confidence?
I have said it many times in the recent past, and I will keep on saying it until it sinks in and people actually take it to heart; IF this current crop is the best the GOP/RNC has to offer, I am of the opinion that it really is time to launch that American Conservative Party I have long believed is the only thing that will save America.
We don’t need a disorganized bunch like the TEA Party, they have no compass, no sense of direction. I know that a real CONSERVATIVE organization can work, one that absolutely holds the candidates feet to the fire and DEMANDS nothing but the best, or shows them the door, but it MUST have defined leadership on a National, State and Local setting.
We need a Conservative Party that’s NOT afraid of it’s own shadow and worried about the one thing that is killing America, political correctness.
I knew some folks that claimed to be that type of American Conservative Party a while back, but I soon discovered that they were mostly talk, not willing to ruffle the feathers of the establishment. They were afraid that the TRUTH would offend possible members, and like the TEA Party, they talked a good game, but they didn’t HAVE game.
America, we either get game or Obama gets another 4 years, and so far, NONE of the current crop the GOP has in the running has GAME.
You know, I’m going to go someplace that you didn’t intend, but I’m going to use your wife as an example to make a point. And that is this:
EVERYone has to be SOMEwhere.
And when you increase the retirement age from 65 to 68 to 70 to even, perhaps, over 70 — well, everyone has to be somewhere as I indicate.
Which means this: so people can’t retire until they’re 70? So what’s the point to even use or keep the older employee? Won’t it be cheaper to fire or find some way or “letting go” your REALLY older employee — who can’t yet retire — so that you won’t have to pay their benefits in any event?
Do you ACTUALLY want a 60-to-65-year-old fireman responding to your house fire? Do you REALLY want a 60-to-65-year-old cop having to foot-chase the murderer of your sister?
And so what about your wife, Fred? My guess is that she’s got LOTS of training, education and experience. But my guess is that she is UNDERemployed or has received refusals for work PRECISELY because of her age, though couched in other “softer” and deflected words, phrases and reasons.
But hell, as far as politicians are concerned, she can always work at Mickey D’s or — better yet — why doesn’t she just sign up for more Free Cheese and be BEHOLDEN to the Demorats/Leftists/Socialists?
You and I both know why. Because she has pride and principles.
BZ
Pride and principles? Seriously?
I mean, she DID marry me…
*SNARK!*
And you MY FRIEND, are a much better MAN than even you think!
“Qu’ils mangent de la brioche”
MittBama is so out of touch it should be funny….but it’s not.
I like cake.
But not every day…
And! I still proudly type, on my spewed upon keyboard…
BLUTO for POTUS! and Fred for VP!
Good to hear from you Brother!
You know Fred, I don’t have an issue with the way Romney answered the question. I heard the interview a few minutes ago and he basically said the very poor have enough government aid and programs to “Save them” if they want to be saved…That’s my take on it anyway. I HATE Romney, I’d rather vote for Mickey Mouse given a choice but this one didn’t strike me as a bad statement. I kind of gave that interview a positive because MOST politicians interviewed on CNN would drop to their knees to pander to the viewers….He didn’t and for that he gets a kudos from me on THIS topic.
As for you and yours, just like me and mine WE are the “middle class” he’s talking about helping. You are on a fixed income, your wife works, you are struggling to get by like all of us. You worked for yours Fred, You put into the system for MANY years (Did I mention MANY MANY YEARS LMAO)
Fact is Fred, the MIDDLE CLASS has shrunk because so many middle class have now been made POOR. The middle class has been less affected in numbers because so many of the upper class is now middle class…Class war at it’s finest.
What does the middle class need from the government? NOT A DAMN THING other than get the hell out of the way, let companies build/hire/compete with out so much regulation and law suits and all the red tape around tax codes. That will allow the middle class to grow and with it maybe some of the poor by accident will move up. The poor by choice can stay there.
Romney vs Obama… Hate it because it’s a lot like McCain vs Obama… Only difference is we had HOPE Obama wouldn’t be the worst POTUS ever now we know different. Don’t know if the American people are ready to vote Dem lite over Dem Batshit crazy left, but I will chose Romney over Obama because of the SCOTUS Apt. only. That’s the only reason I’m even going to vote.
FYRB
I guess that was one too many MANY’s huh?
Robert is yet another LIBERTARIAN that doesn’t know it. Frustration, leaves us all in a quandary Robert. We simply have to play the cards that we are dealt.
Sort of like me being a philosophical Libertarian, are always cornfused with wimp assed “l”ibertarians.
You want tough? Follow Emanuel Kant’s form of cold blooded Christian ethics.
That’s what I try to do. Admittedly failing most times…
Post Script; Ron Paul is a nut case, not, I repeat not a LIBERTARIAN!
Romney did not say the poor have an “ample” safety net, he said they have a safety net and that if it needs repair, he’ll fix it.
This is yet one more case of the media trying too hard to make a Republican look like a heartless bastard. Dishonest? Stupid? We report, you decide.
If you look at the benefits the poor get, and, more to the point, the kinds of “nicities” that many/most of the people we call poor have, it much better than many/most of us think. http://www.jshott.com/2012/01/ap-believes-nearly-half-of-americans.html
Some are truly needy and poor, but many are poor only as defined by American liberals.
Well James, according to the story I based my commentary on, he did…
Just out of curiosity, are you a Romney supporter??
Here is the interview, and you’re right, he didn’t say it, BUT … AP said he said it… THAT is a hell of a statement regarding their newsworthiness…
That underscores my criticism of the media. Unprincipled, biased.
No, I’m not a Romney supporter, unless he’s Obama’s opponent. Then, I’m a damned strong Romney supporter. Under that condition, I’ll strongly supporter Goofy or Mickey Mouse.
Could not agree more.. ABO, except Ron Paul..
I’d even take Paul over the Big nOthing.
Fred, isn’t Ron Paul related to Goofy???
Well, he is a SON OF A BITCH…
Regardless of what his intentions are or whether he really gives a crap about anybody other than his wealthy donors or his personal ambitions, he should be smart enough not to say such stupid things.
Gawd, we’re in a world of hurt if these clowns are the best candidates we can conjure.
Fully agreed…
That’s true, but just try to never say something that some asshat reporter can’t turn around on you.
An asshat reporter can’t change how I feel about Obama, nor can they change my opinion of Romney. It would be cool if they could though. Maybe I wouldn’t be so bitter and skeptical…
Your bitterness and skepticism have been earned through years of living in a world infected by liberalism, socialism, statism and a GOP that has lost its way.
Wear those badges proudly!
But be careful what you say around asshat reporters.
LMAO James. Now you can add “depressed” too! Oh well.
Remember: “Dog Crap for POTUS. Good thing we didn’t step in it”
It’s a good thing you don’t drink…
Wait..
FYRB?
“For Your Ribeye”?
BZ
No, it’s more like F*ck You Rob Bush…
He knows why… LMAO
I am no fan of Romney, but this should be of interest:
Emmerich analyzes disposable income and economic benefits among several key income classes and comes to the stunning (and verifiable) conclusion that “a one-parent family of three making $14,500 a year (minimum wage) has more disposable income than a family making $60,000 a year.”
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/255012/why-work-veronique-de-rugy
That’s more or less what I was implying in my first comment, and with the link I posted.
Your last sentence sums up the way I feel perfectly. None of these candidates has what it takes to defeat Barack Obama, and even if they did they are only marginally better, and I am afraid we are handing Barack Obama an easy victory when he should be ripe for the picking.
Regardless of what he said, Romney would be a better President than Obama.
A dried up piece of dog crap would be a better POTUS than Obama..
I’d vote for that, Fred!!
I’ve got the bumpersticker too:
“DOG CRAP for POTUS! Good thing you didn’t step in it.”
Fred, you are so spot on about the age issue. If you are over 50, you can see that the people interviewing you for a position aren’t liking it. If I weren’t a strong person, I probably would have given up by now. I’ve lost everything I ever worked for and it is getting harder and harder to get back to some sense of security. I feel your wife’s pain. We live in a society where the skills and experience simply aren’t acknowledged. All younger people can see is an “old fart”.
And frankly, I think the selection is very weak. But quite honestly, the absence of leadership over the last few decades, and the “nail in the coffin” of our Republic that is Barack Obama… well, I look at the mess that has been created and think that the “really smart people” don’t want the job of POTUS. If it came down between Ron Paul and the poser Obama… I’d probably just stay home and stock up on ammo. Sad but true.
Fred,
I wouldn’t get upset if I were you. When MR says the poor have ample help, he is not talking about you and your wife. Sadly, you still are in the middle class, who MR wants to focus on helping for exactly the reasons you gave in your situation. When he says the “POOR” have ample help, he means the people that don’t have any home to live, do not work at all and have nothing. These people can still get food and shelter with no money. They can walk into any hospital and get free healthcare…life support, deliver a baby, you name it.
The good news is, even in your situation, you are considered middle class and MR wants to help people like you (and me…Im in the same boat). MR knows that those that there are those that would not unless it was the absolute last resort, ever take a free handout and bust our asses to make ends meet, but we still seem to be going backwards. Those like you and your wife, are the ones in this country that need teh most help.
Screw the stupid poor and the super rich. I used to joke that it is those of us in the middle that get screwed every time. The dems help the super poor and the repubs help the rich. And either way, it is the middle ones that pay for it.
I like bits and pieces of both Newt and Mitt. But I am disappointed in the selection. Kinda like having to pick your poison….both suck…but we have to choose one. Neither seem very electable, unless obama has done such a bad job that voters would rather put a retarded monkey in office, but then again….oh, uh right.
I think it sucks that our country is so divided. What happeend to a president that was going to help ALL Americans no matter what and we picked the guy that we liked based on somehting small and stupid as we knew that both would care about our needs as a whole. Where is my choice for president when I could pick either John Adams or Thomas Jefferson. You knew no matter who won, the country was going forward in a positive manner for all.
Now we have 48% that will almost always vote republican and 48% that will always vote democrat. So our country is basically run by 4% of the people that are so stupid or not involved in what is really going on, that they can’t even pick a team. They literally vote based on the last sign they saw walking into the voting booth. OMG.
Maybe splitting up this US into two sections would be good. All the conservatives over hear and all the liberals over there. Then tell me who would fail first. I wish that no matter who became president, both had the best intentions for America. But that is no longer. Now, we literally have to choose socialism or socialism lite. Maybe what we are wishing for will never happen.
Our founding Fathers fortold us that this day would come. That we would one day fall. Such statements such as “We have a republic, if we can keep it” and “This system of govt will prosper until the people learn they can vote themselves gifts from our treasury” (or something like that). They knew that things would change and they hoped that good people would make the right decision to steer this country in the right direction. But alas, for every Reagan, there are dozens that do not look past what they can get for themselves. Good politicians start out with a pure heart but later sell their soul so they can keep the cushy gig they got themselves into. It’s sad.
Anyway, not to get off topic, I think MR words that the poor have ample help, does not mean you and me. It means those with nothing. They had their help, now it’s our turn to get a piece of the pie. The pie we paid for. I only hope it is not just words, but something MR means and will take care of.
As for the age thing. You are not alone. Though I am not as old, I am 44 and starting to see the “age” thing become a bar. No one wants to pay for 25 years of education and wisdom and learning from experience. I guy half my age living in a small apt with no kids and an old car etc. will certainly work for a lot less than I can get by on. So, unless I am the goose that lays the golden egg so to speak, I am not going to get paid what I am worth. There seems to be two types of jobs…those that are the revenue generators and all the others that back that person up. If you are in the latter group, then employers don’t seem to care about education or experience. They simply look to see how cheap they can hire someone and they will deal with the lack of skills later.
Anyway, I went on way to long…but be happy that you are middle class. It is just that the middle class is not what it used to be.
Whoever gets the nomination I will vote for no matter what. obama needs to go. I hope to God the 4% that are making that decision for me punch the right box.
The so-called safety net is Medicaid. Check the requirements for Medicaid in your state. Contrary to what many think, it’s difficult for those who have paid their own way for some 40 years to qualify.
And Medicaid is already strained to the max. Some 80% of those in nursing homes are presently on Medicaid — never mind that many in that 80% entered longterm care with a bankroll.
Couples with one member seriously ill are divorcing all over America because health-insurance premiums have shot to the moon the past three years.
In the case of this household, if Mr. AOW had to remain on private health insurance instead of finally getting Medicare next month, his monthly premium for catastrophic coverage with no prescription coverage would be 5/6 of his disability check.
None — I repeat NONE — of those running for POTUS have a workable plan for the coming tsunamis of retiring and aging Baby Boomers. In less than five years, the Baby Boomer Generation will bring a tsunami of rising healthcare costs — even as the tax base is shrinking. It’s an unsustainable prospect, I tell you.
Where do I sign up for the Conservative Party. GOP sure isn’t cutting it. Perry was the guy that could have gotten us out of this mess but was sabatoged by the media and GOP insiders. Am 66 and know what your wife is going through. If I hadn’t done some planning for retirement some 30 yrs ago would be screwed also. However the Dems/Marxists are trying to make that go away also. Meanwhile I’ve added the purchase of ammo to my monthly budget. Will need it if Obama is reelected.
I like that idea minuteman26…Conservative Party…. Oh heck, let’s bring back the Whig Party! I’d love to withdraw from the 3 ring circus that is the RNC. I look at the acronym and think… RINO National Committee!