Article 2 9/19/12

Romney: Nearly half 'believe they are victims'

Posted: Sep 17, 2012 3:10 AM EDTUpdated: Sep 17, 2012 11:51 PM EDT

By KASIE HUNT and STEVE PEOPLES
Associated Press

Brief Summary : Already scrambling to steady a struggling campaign, Republican Mitt Romney confronted a new headache Monday after a video surfaced showing him telling wealthy donors that almost half of all Americans "believe they are victims" entitled to extensive government support. He added that as a candidate for the White House, "my job is not to worry about those people."

I. The problem being addressed is the recent video that had been released to the public about Mitt Romney s views on tax breaks and people who don't pay them. He said in the video that he doesn't " care for those people". 

II."There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that 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." This is shocking to many voters who probably were going to vote for him and their opinions about him might change. They do not want a president who is going to reject them because they can't pay or do not pay taxes. This also makes weakens Republican Party and Romney s chances of winning the election.

III. I learned from this article that About 46 percent of Americans owed no federal income tax in 2011, although many of them paid other forms of taxes. More than 16 million elderly Americans avoid federal income taxes solely because of tax breaks that apply only to seniors, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

IV. This information is of use to me because I now understand Romney's point on why he wants to do something about the tax cuts given to middle class and elderly. It is also useful because it informed me on who actually is paying taxes in the U.S. and who isn't.

V. I think the author has a neutral attitude throughout the article because they present facts on both sides about taxes and opinions from representatives from both parties about Romney s video and what they are going to do about it.

VI.  This article could have an impact on the political arena today because people who were going to  vote for Romney or who were undecided might change their views about Romney . Since he doesn't believe the government should not aide and support people who do not pay taxes could cost him the election and people who were voting for Obama might feel more confident in him since he believes in a "self  centered government" .  This video and the statements that came from Romney in the could give Obama an advantage in the election.