After hearing Romney's private comments this week about the 47 percent of Americans he isn't reaching out to, is it any surprise that he failed to even mention those serving in Afghanistan during his acceptance speech?
When Mitt Romney said he wasn't concerned about the "47 percent" of the country who pay no federal income taxes -- describing them as "victims" who fail to take "personal responsibility" for their lives -- he again showed he lacked an understanding that 61 percent of them already pay taxes. But what about the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make for the country they love?
Included in the half of America that Mitt Romney dismissively wrote off while standing in front of wealthy donors, were seniors, students, and people with disabilities -- but also people serving in the military. That's right, the military families with loved ones currently fighting in combat, defending the freedoms that all Americans enjoy regardless of political party. What they earn from their sacrifice and service to our nation isn't something that is just given.
Even more troubling is the fact that yet again, Mitt Romney was caught only providing policy specifics to wealthy donors at a private fundraiser while failing to do the same for the vast majority of the country he is asking to vote for him -- because as his advisers admitted, providing specifics before an election would be suicidal.
In public, all veterans and military families hear from Mitt Romney are empty platitudes, bluster that says more about his lack of foreign policy experience than it does our men and women in uniform, and promises that don't quite line up with his record. As governor, Mitt Romney was not a friend to my fellow veterans. He proposed eliminating hiring preferences for veterans applying for civil service opportunities, and cut veterans' programs by 11% in his first budget.
Many veterans and military families remember quite well the last time Mitt Romney decided to get specific about policies impacting their lives. Again, speaking before a group of wealthy donors at a private fundraiser back in April, Mitt Romney said that as president he'd consider eliminating the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If Mitt Romney had his way and eliminated HUD altogether, it would undermine tremendous progress that has been made under President Obama's leadership to end veteran homelessness. If Mitt Romney had his way and abolished these services -- where would our nation's heroes turn? What's Mitt Romney's plan to continue the progress we've seen under President Obama in taking care of those who have served our country?
Proposing we get rid of HUD and the work it is doing to combat veterans homelessness as a way to cut spending while maintaining tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires is not only wrong - it's something I think most Americans, especially military families would find offensive. Mitt has suggested privatizing the VA healthcare system, and let's not forget that Romney called bringing our troops home from Iraq "tragic."
President Obama and the First Lady have proven to veterans that they will fight for them. From implementing and expanding the most comprehensive educational benefit for veterans and their family members since the original GI Bill of 1944 to tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed veterans and wounded warriors, President Obama has walked the walk, even for veterans who didn't vote for him in 2008.
Therein lies the difference between a President Obama and a want-to-be President Romney. Upon entering office, President Obama didn't just wash his hands because half of our veterans didn't support him -- he instead did what a president should do and went to work for all of us. He led by example and always had our back.
As a proud Democrat, I don't plan to vote for Mitt Romney. But as a veteran, who risked his life in service to our great country, it saddens me that a person seeking to become commander-in-chief sets out only wanting to represent half the country. After Mitt was one of the biggest cheerleaders for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Mitt was asked if his sons would serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. He replied, "One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I'd be a great president." I'm sorry, Governor Romney, that just doesn't cut it.
One thing I learned in combat is that when it comes to standing up for America, there are no Democratic or Republican values -- just American values. It has to be the same for the commander-in-chief. So when Mitt Romney says he isn't concerned about 47 percent of the country, his words and past actions prove to veterans and military families that his values couldn't be further from those that we all share.
Follow Patrick Murphy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PatrickMurphyPA
Bill Moyers: WATCH: Killing the Kids that Don't Need to Die
Lee A. Saunders: It Takes a Lot of Brass: Romney and America's Veterans
What does that say about our candidates that they have no clue that those they disparage are the ones who are willing to lay down their lives for this country. Romney won't even keep his money in the US for fear of it being taxed too much yet our troops are willing to shed blood for this country and he just dismisses them as freeloaders?
As a veteran he disgusts me, and I pay a much higher effective tax rate than he does.
He is NOT talking about the Military in the 47& anymore than talking about me as I am a 47%er too..I know who he's talking about and may I suggest you do more research...
He did float a stupid cost-cutting idea that those Veterans who had private insurance might be able to use it for service-related injuries. When responses came back such as "Do you not realize what that would do to our rates", and other rightful criticisms, he quickly backed off.
I'm a veteran, and yep, he stepped in it with that. However, his actual RECORD on developing and supporting Veterans programs since then is not applauded enough. And if you want to know how well your representatives in the legislature are supporting Veterans, check out the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Congressional Report Card at http://iavaaction.org
Your tirades about flag pins and hand positions are red capes to be waved in front of armchair-patriots trying to be the biggest bull in the ring.
The Bush Administration cut aid to military families (I believe more cuts are in Lyin' Ryan's budget as well), and also got rid of a 50+ year law that protected active duty soldier's homes from being foreclosed on. The Republican majority Congress also voted down a bill to raise pay for active duty soldiers, but had no problem paying out thousands a month to people working for Blackwater, Halliburton, CACI, etc.
Romney / Ryan - N E V E R
On another thread I wondered whether Mitt, if asked about it would go along with the rest of the GOP in the disdain they showed by blocking the veterans jobs bill. I guess he's already answered the question in his policies as governor.
Both quotes spun completely out of context by the other side in an attempt to villify their opponent and make him into what they actually want him to be for their own purposes. It's absurd.
So why do I support President Obama?
Passage of Affordable Care Act
Near-End of the two wars
Other sucesses in domestic, economic and foreign policy endeavors too numerous to mention.
Appalling Romney-Ryan's performance. Examples:
Legacy of Bain Vulture Capitalism
Use of foreign bank accounts to avoid / dodge US taxes
Failure to reveal their 10 years tax returns
Both Republican candidates low tax rates albeit deemed 'legal',
Exposure of Republican talking points as an extension of RIGHT-WING LIES,
Ryan economic plan that's anti middle-class, pro very-rich and markedly increases federal debt.
Blundered foreign policy stands.
Near-certainty of another war(s), starting with Iran
Disgust at the Republican campaign being bought by big money interest groups
Rejection of the "Party of No".
Please feel free to circulate this list to the 1%ers among your family and friends.
Near-End of the two wars..Do you watch World News ??? We are just about to see the Middle East go up in flames....Oh and I am a 47%er..
Are there any more Republican Talking points you want me to to reply?
Obama could stand the Military until he realized he needed their votes !!
If he wasn't pandering to the worst side of his wealthy audience, he would have simply said that there were 47% of the electorate that will stick to Obama, and then go on to talk about the moderates the he should appeal to, and his plans for doing so. Instead he chose to take the lead in sneering at a large group of people.
I feel he was foolish. Did he fail to realize he was speaking about some of his own supporters? Or that he said it in front of the servers, who might record such a famous person, and then share it with their friends and family, all of whom might be part of that 47%?
He missed a chance. Imagine if it went viral for his being so funny, so thoughtful, so well spoken, so intelligent, or ...instead it went viral for talking smack.
Another problem is if you look at the entirety of the speech, the theme of contempt is a recurring one.
To me, the greatest media malpractice is journalism's loss to infotainment, and the lowest common denominator contempt found on both sides of the rumor media.
Strange days, indeed.
Best wishes,
Blueskyseas
And this from the man who said in his book that he felt like he was 'behind enemy lines' when he worked in the private sector. I'd also add that his bitter clinger comment was at least equally offensive as Romney's yet the MSM gave him a pass.
You talk said imagine if there was a sound bite about being thoughtful or funny. There are lots of stories about Romneys generousity that are out there that you won't get on HP. I bet you haven't heard the story of the family that had two sons cripled in a car accident and showed up on Christmas Eve with presents and supported them for years after? Or him paying for the food at a veterans hospital for years anonymously. No fanfare no press because that's how he wanted it. There are dozens of stories like that but you didn't even see them at the RNC because if you give for