The Issue: Romney’s comment that he’ll be unpopular with voters who are dependent on the government.
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Mitt Romney is exactly right: Democrats have bought half the country by offering them free things (“Mitt Romney’s Message,” Editorial, Sept. 19).
Romney said 47 percent of Americans see themselves as “victims,” but a more correct description would be losers. Anyone with any self-respect wouldn’t want to live off of the government. Daniel Saras
Rego park
My 80-year-old mother-in-law, the widow of a Korean war veteran, is part of the 47 percent who don’t pay taxes.
The income from her Social Security is so small that she doesn’t have to pay taxes. The modest nest egg that she drains monthly to supplement her income and keep her off of public assistance once generated enough interest to live a modest life.
With her nest egg dwindling, she actually fears living a long life because that means being unable to pay her bills or live alone with dignity.
Would she be one of the freeloaders Mitt talks about, or one of the poor that he contends the government will care for? Does he expect her vote? Michael Pitonza
Bayside
President Obama’s intention has been to dramatically increase the government-dependent class and harvest their votes for his re-election.
Socialist playwright George Bernard Shaw famously said: “A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.”
Romney was merely stating the inconvenient truth that when nearly half the population pays no income tax, they will vote for the party that is giving them the free ride.
Obama remains personally popular, but so does Santa Claus.
Rick Geyer
Bay Shore
If Romney doesn’t care about the 47 percent of the country who enjoy riding in the back of the wagon, what does that say about Obama, who doesn’t care about the 53 percent stuck pulling the wagon?Bill Yermal
Oxford, NJ
We have people in this country who believe that the taxpayers should fund their life through welfare, food stamps, a failed public-school system and now healthcare.
Some are just spoiled brats protesting because they have to repay their college loans and can’t afford a sports car and a condo. The left wing has created a nation of whiners with their hands out.
Let’s help people who need it: the elderly and the veterans who have served our nation. This country needs change and hope, and it’s not coming from Obama.
Linda O’Berrigan
Cedar Grove, NJ
Ranger Romney tells us: “Please don’t feed the bears, because they will become dependent on that food and stop foraging for themselves.”
I don’t have a problem with that.Scott Koen
Rutherford, NJ