Romney's 47%

I've come across three very intersting, and I belive educational, pieces regarding the most recent Romney gaffe...you know, the one where he says that "47 percent of Americans pay no tax and are dependant on the govermnent, so they won't vote for me."

First, see the info HERE from NPR about who pays Federal income tax and who does not. To summarize, most people paying no tax are either elderly retired, poor, disabled or are using common goverment credits to lower their tax burden. That last group - government credits, deductions and similar - is where fat cats like Romney fit in...a group that is 6% of the 47%. Obviously, that's a small percentage of the overall group paying little or no income tax.
Next, see where most people paying little or no tax live in the chart HERE. Look familiar? Yes, yes indeed...the states that vote the most conservative look to be exactly where most people getting or using goverment created programs, funds or credits. That's right, people in states that consistently vote for small government are the biggest beneficiaries of government programs. That irony is rich, but it's not funny becuase a primary reason people in those states are paying no tax is becuase they are poor. States like Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, South Carolina, Louisianna, Texas and others have major populations of poor people. So that just makes it sad that these poor, elderly and/or disabled are in states that so clearly vote against their interests when they go Republican.

Finally, if you want to read more about how Romney's recent comments make him out to be a disconnected, arrogant, out-of-touch rich guy bafoon...don't take my word for it. Check out today's column in the NY Times by their conservative columnist.