It's irrational that you respect someone who inherited his wealth and his position. Maybe you should advocate for a Monarchy?
I believe in people that rise above their circumstances. He made his money completely on his own in a different industry than his father. I am ok with that versus the John McCain's, John Kerry's etc. that married into it or the Rockefeller's, Kennedy's or others on both sides of the isle that inherited it. The better educated the parents are, the higher chance the children will be. Barack Obama's father went to Harvard and his mother and family was educated. I don't like political dynasties but its just pathetic to say he inherited his wealth.
I bet everytime you see them ask him about this he'll sound plaintive and exasperated, but have a big grin on his face. Rich is rich. Regardless of who wins the general, both of these guys are gonna have some fun next year.
You don't have to literally inherit wealth to have the advantage of your birthright. He grew up with every advantage, the best education, the right peer group, family connections and the lot. He obviously has some talent as well or he would have squandered it all. But to say he 'did it all himself' is giving him way too much credit.
I have to spread more reputation around - otherwise, repped. This thread is showing the perception divide between the haves and have-nots. People who have been lucky enough to be born into the right circumstances don't seem to understand the advantages those circumstances provide. Because they've never really had to "work" their way out of the lower or middle class, they don't understand the obstacles in the way for those who are trying. Not surprisingly, they lack empathy for those who don't have the same advantages, and this lack of empathy carries over into their policies and political philosophies. BTW, I think this is a failure of human nature - only a few very unique individuals have a true understanding for those less blessed than they. You see it other places as well - really smart people have no idea what it's like to have an average intellect, really coordinated people have no idea what it's like to be a clutz, and so on. That obliviousness is manageable - what's problematic is when someone thinks they're "special" or "gifted" because of lucky circumstances. Romeny certainly earned his money, but I imagine many others would as well if given his background. Similarly, would Romney have made so much money if he came from a middle class family? Who knows, but a little humility and anacknowledgement of their advantages seem like something we need in our next President. Given Romney's statement that the poor just envy the wealthy, he seems to be severely lacking in both of these qualities.
The "hatred" is not towards that. It's toward the fact that he pays 15% tax while the hard working middle class Americans pay 20% to 25%. He gets a break and we get hosed. And the worst part is that he publicly states that there is nothing wrong with that.
I think the GOP would be better off trying to argue that a lower capital gains tax lowers the hurdle rate on investments being made, and therefore projects being started and therefore jobs being created than the jealosy schtick. I guess that's what they're trying to achieve with the 'job creators' angle, but they were trying to dumb down the argument and it came out sounding like we owe something to those beneficent fat cats instead of appealing to our trust in capitalist mechanisms.
It is interesting that Gingrich's tax return shows an effective rate over 30%. That makes me feel a little better about the high rate I am paying this year.
It was politically prescient of him. I expect about the same from Santorum, which will put Romney in more stark contrast.
Who cares about Romney's taxes and claims.......do you people actually think he has a legitimate chance of beating Obama ? Hekk No !
What a load of crap-ola. George Romney was Chairman of the Board and CEO of American Motors from 1954-1962, before he ran for the Senate. He made millions during this time from stock options. Look it up, and let us know when you get a clue.
He's not being criticized for being rich - rather he is being criticized for using tax dodges Like this and the carried interest rule that only even a tiny minority of the super - rich are able to avail themselves of. Romneys not working any harder than most working families, or Michael Bloomberg, or Arian Foster - nor does he have any mitigating circumstances - so why should he and a few thousand others get away with paying less than their fair share? Obviously they shouldn't. Of course add this into the fact that he thinls that banking 350 k is "very little" and his obvious discomfort in discussing or disclosing this and you get a guy who appears so thoroughly insulated from 99.9 percent of Americans that its kryptonite on the campaign trail.
There's always a legitimate chance simply due to the public's desire to not be perceived as complacent or powerless. Also, Romney is objectively smart and not too old to appear unaware, his party's not in office so any late-breaking disasters won't be blamed on him, and everyone's learned from the error of getting an inexperienced ideologue like Palin; so it's not the same race.
I'm not even sure he will win the GOP primary let alone the presidency. This guy is a joke just like the rest of the GOP candidates. How can anyone who supports lowering taxes for the 1% win the presidency is absolutely ridiculous. It just goes to show you that even if there is a small chance of this happening the people of america are absurdly ignorant.
