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Romney's Swiss Bank Account Is a Gift for Democrats

The problem isn't envy, it's that he is out of touch with the people he's asking to vote for him. It's not just him either, it's most of the politicians out there as well.

You do realize every politician is out of touch with the people who vote for them. I could be wrong, there might be senators and congressmen who are actually only middle class or poor.
 
The criticism shouldn't be directed at the 50% of American households who don't pay federal income tax - the criticism should be directed at those in government and private corporations who allowed it to happen.

When 50% of the nation's population cannot earn a "living wage," the problem is not with the people but the economic system that has relegated them to the "sidelines."

The fact that income derived through "labor" is taxed at a much higher rate than "investments" is just one indicator of how much the economic system has been twisted to favor the wealthy.

The fact that 50% do not pay federal taxes does not mean they are too poor to pay taxes, it just means the loopholes and tax breaks have worked in their favor.
 
The fact that 50% do not pay federal taxes does not mean they are too poor to pay taxes, it just means the loopholes and tax breaks have worked in their favor.
The 400 of us pay a lower part of our income in taxes than our receptionists do, or our cleaning ladies, for that matter. If you're in the luckiest 1 per cent of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99 per cent.

- Warren Buffett speaking at a $4,600-a-seat political fundraiser in New York, as quoted in "Buffett blasts system that lets him pay less tax than secretary", Times Online, June 28, 2007.


http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett
With all due respect, the bottom 50% are too poor and unorganized to pressure their government representatives to provide them with "loopholes and tax breaks."
 
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I couldn't care less about Romney's wealth. It's a non-issue for me, and it should be for everyone else.

I don't think he should be attacked for having wealth. Being wealthy isn't inherently a bad thing. Should rich people be attacked for being rich... no, of course not. But the fact that he has never been middle class and, therefore, incapable of relating to middle class struggles and concerns, and the declining quality of life, and therefore can't related to the majority of Americans, is fair a legitimate concern to bring up and discuss.
 
Just because someone doesn't live that life doesn't mean they're out of touch.

Tell me what Romney has done that has shown he is in touch with people and how they are struggling.
 
Swiss bank accounts are available to pretty much anyone in the world who is over 18 and has a valid govt. passport, including Americans.

The issue is not just having an SBA, but hiding wealth from the IRS, which takes a lot more than merely having an SBA.

You have to setup a foreign holding company, pass through corp, etc. It's too complicated for me, and I imagine, for most people, without an expert accountant handling everything.

How do you know he was "hiding his wealth from the IRS?"
 
With all due respect, the bottom 50% are too poor and unorganized to pressure their government representatives to provide them with "loopholes and tax breaks."

Shows what little you know.The average median house hold income is around $50,000,that means that house hold is in the bracket that is taxes 15%-25% depending on whether or not that person is filing head of household,jointly or married filing separately. Everyone is in a income tax bracket. It starts at 10% for $12,150 and 35% for above $379,150 for someone filing single. A quote from a blatant hypocrite doesn't prove your point. If someone is not paying the percentage their income tax bracket is it is because they are using what ever loopholes, tax credits or tax breaks regardless of how much or how little income they make. This is why that hypocrite Warren Buffett makes millions and does not pay the 35% income tax that someone who makes his income makes and why 50% of households do not pay a federal tax credit.
 
It also mighty silly how them thar konservitives in Alabama think if ye make $80,000/year, you pay lower taxes as a percent of yer earnins than someone makin' $27,000,000

Wow! How racist and condesending is that?

In reality, a person who reports 80 grand in net income pays a smaller percentage than someone who reports 27 million in net income. Just a fact, no matter what samantics you use.
 
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The problem isn't envy, it's that he is out of touch with the people he's asking to vote for him. It's not just him either, it's most of the politicians out there as well.

Did you vote for Obama? Do you honestly think he is, "in touch", with the common man?
 
Its the overall picture that feels wrong. He made hundreds of millions of dollars gutting companies and then bankrupting those companies - basically consuming everyone's pensions, all from bank sba loans, stiffing all vendors, suppliers, contractors - and then socking it away in bank accounts in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands. Among other things that makes it immune from any lawsuit judgments that might come along.

That's not what people think of in positive ways when they think of "business man" and "free enterprise."
 
The thing that impressed me most about Romney's returns is the 7 million dollars he's given to charity over the past 2 years. That's over 15% of his income. Very impressive. He's practicing what he preaches.
 
The thing that impressed me most about Romney's returns is the 7 million dollars he's given to charity over the past 2 years. That's over 15% of his income. Very impressive. He's practicing what he preaches.

Yes, but we may be seeing why he doesn't want to release tax statements prior to his current running for president. Still, it is impressive.
 
Wow! How racist and condesending is that?

What the **** did that have to do with race?

In reality, a person who reports 80 grand in net income pays a smaller percentage than someone who reports 27 million in net income. Just a fact, no matter what samantics you use.

Depends on where the income comes from. If the income for the 27 mil comes from investments, they usually pay lower percentage in taxes than the person making 80K.
 
Did you vote for Obama? Do you honestly think he is, "in touch", with the common man?

Yes, I did vote for him but I'm not this Nov. and no, I don't think he is in touch with the common man. But then I don't think ANY of the GOP candidates or Obama are in touch with the common man either.
 
The Swiss Bank account has the connotation of wealth, extreme wealth. A Swiss bank account is something 99% of Americans don't have access to.

It will become part of a negative narrative not just for Romney but for anyone labeled GOP.

You're probably right, this is more a gift for Newt.

This was not tax avoidance- it was not even an attempt to have a secret stash of untraceable money. He reported it on his damned tax return. The strategy with Swiss accounts and accounts in the Cayman Islands and other places is that if the government gets desperate and begins to seize assets (as has happened historically), the government can't easily get to that money. One of these days, liberals are finally going to realize that this is not the government's money. Once you pay your taxes, you can do whatever the hell you want with it.

And you are factually incorrect about Swiss bank accounts being reserved for the very rich.

7 myths about Swiss bank accounts

You are probably right, though, about the account becoming fodder for Obama. It will certainly not be Obama's strategy to provide factual information about how finances and money work. He will try to villainize Romney for it- because the Obama voter base of sheeple generally believe everything he says. LOL
 
Well, you had me going until you called those to listen to the President "sheeple." Not quite sure who you're talking about.

I just don't see Romney's being extremely wealthy as a problem. He earned his money, and you're right--it's not the government's money; it's his to do as he pleases with. And more power to him.
 
Tell me what Romney has done that has shown he is in touch with people and how they are struggling.

Look at the list of charities he gives to. Boys and Girls Club, Innercity Scholarship Funds, Homes for Troops. And he have significantly. The B&G Club is an awesome organization and does a great service to lower income kids.

Again, whats your expectation to demonstrate that someone is "in touch?" Sorry man, this is silly election year misnomer. This expectation is constantly thrown around yet it is an impossible to achieve. No one can me truly "in touch" with the entire American constituency. At least in the manner that some expect.

Sh!t, no one is truly "in touch" as everyone's situation is different or has differences.
 
I wouldn't accuse Romney of tax evasion, but I do think he should have to explain why he had accounts in Switzerland and the Caymans.
 
I care (to a degree) about his wealth. I care far more about his tax evasion.
I care about honest debate and not dishonest charges that have no basis in fact
 
I wouldn't accuse Romney of tax evasion, but I do think he should have to explain why he had accounts in Switzerland and the Caymans.

Why? Is it illegal? Is there any indication that those accounts are related to illegal activity?

Don't understand why people would really care about this. Fortunately, I'd wager the vast majority don't.
 
I wouldn't accuse Romney of tax evasion, but I do think he should have to explain why he had accounts in Switzerland and the Caymans.

I don't think he should have to explain squat unless he's doing something illegal, which he is not.
 
I wouldn't accuse Romney of tax evasion, but I do think he should have to explain why he had accounts in Switzerland and the Caymans.

Same reasons anyone else does. Numerous corporations in the United States have "headquarters" that are a PO box on an island. It's not because of the weather. It is also entirely legal.
 
Damn, you are so envious, no matter how many times, you see Mitt's pictures, descriptions and $$$, it fills you with a blind rage

Have a nice day :)

I think this typical "you're envious" response, regardless of how much the OP is overacting and complaining, is really naive and blind on your part. That response is so stereotypical to hear, and it's more or less a way of discrediting somebody and the debate of income equality. For example, if somebody complains how politicians get away with murder and crime because of their power and connects, it doesn't exactly mean that the person complaining is envious and wants to get away with murder too. When the north complained about the south owning slaves and making a lot of money from slavery, was the north actually saying that they wanted to earn money by forcing others to do the hard labor?

There are many better, legitimate ways to respond to the problems going on with the OP in this thread, and your response isn't one of them.
 
I wouldn't accuse Romney of tax evasion, but I do think he should have to explain why he had accounts in Switzerland and the Caymans.

How could anybody argue that his money isn't there to avoid taxes? Any other possibility doesn't seem likely...
 
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