Shine A Light

So, you think your vote doesn’t count? Here’s what we tried to warn you about in 2010, following the census. (From Mother Jones)

THE BEST REASON TO VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA — This quote from Mitt Romney (source: Mother Jones):

“There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what.

“And, I mean, the president starts off with 48, 49 [percent], he starts with a huge number. These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn’t connect. So he’ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean, that’s what they sell every four years.

“And so my job is is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives. What I have to do is convince the five to 10 percent in the center that are independents, that are thoughtful, that look at voting one way or the other depending upon, in some cases, emotion, whether they like the guy or not …”
———————————-
Oh, man, does he not get it. We don’t pay taxes? Then where does 1/3 of my pay go? I realize what I end up paying in taxes may not seem like a lot to you, Mitt, but it’s a lot to me.

We don’t take responsibility for ourselves? I’ve been working all my life — since I was big enough to walk. Born on a farm, you work on a farm, and you learn to work every day, to earn what you have. No entitlements here — nothing was handed to my farmer father.

After all the deductions, I only take home about $1400 a month. So I sure could use the money they take away for taxes. Could YOU live on $1400 a month, Mittens? That’s why I have three jobs. Not responsible? I’m not responsible?

You see, Mittens, if you’d pay 1/3 of your annual income in taxes, you’d still have more money than most people — and I don’t begrudge you that money. I don’t even mind paying taxes: It’s worth it to me, to have good schools, good roads, decent and affordable health care, and the knowledge that older people who have worked hard all their lives won’t be left on a stoop somewhere to rot. I don’t consider them — or myself —to be “victims.” We’re just Americans. Hard-working Americans.

No, Mittens. I can’t claim $77,000 for a horse as a medical expense. Why? Well, first, because I don’t have $77,000. Or a horse. And if I DID need to claim something as a medical expense, it probably wouldn’t be allowed by the IRS, because I don’t have 27 financial lawyers and auditors helping me find loopholes. And no, I don’t consider it patriotic to find loopholes so you don’t have to pay your taxes.

When I went to college, do you think I borrowed money from my parents? Get real, Mitt. I got scholarships, grants, and low-cost loans, thanks to government as well as private opportunities, and I paid back every cent. I’m not responsible for myself?

I’m voting for somebody who understands — who knows what it’s like to struggle, to pay back college loans, to be quietly responsible. Somebody who understands that we’re out there working our butts off every day and just want a good life, just want what’s fair, just want not to get ripped off by bankers and Wall Street, not to get dropped by insurance companies just because our kids got sick or a hurricane hit our house. Somebody who believes that America is the greatest country in the world BECAUSE we take care of our own — because no one should starve to death in America, no child should be left without an education, and no returning veteran should be discarded simply because he or she is no longer on the battlefield.

I’m voting for Barack Obama.