By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — To put it mildly, Mitt Romney’s secretly recorded statements discussing 47 percent of Americans were filled with some gross exaggerations.
But that 47 percent figure the Republican presidential candidate touted is fairly close to the truth, when it comes to how many Americans have no federal tax liability, according one study.
Nationally, 41 percent of federal income tax filers fell into that category in 2009, according toWashington, D.C.-based research group the Tax Foundation. That figure jumps to 50 percent when considering income earners who do not meet the minimum thresholds for filing a tax return: $9,500 for a single person, and $19,000 for a married couple.
In the Keystone State, the picture is a little different.
Around 32 percent of Pennsylvanian federal tax filers, or 1.9 million people, pay no federal income tax, according to the Tax Foundation.
The state ranks 33rd in order of most non-taxpayers to least, according to 2008 data. The top five states with the highest percentages of non-taxpayers were Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, New Mexico and Alabama.
Leaked videos from Mother Jones show Romney speaking at a private fundraiser about “47 percent of Americans” who depend heavily on government, whom he could never teach to “take personal responsibility and care for their lives,” and who will support President Barack Obama.
He closed the bombardment with: “These are people who pay no taxes.”
In 1990, the percentage of non-payers of all taxpayers was 21 percent, slightly more than half of what it is today. The Tax Foundation cites numerous tax cuts, tax credits and rebates as a main reason for an increased number of non-payers in recent years.
Those Who Work Shall Eat For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 NKJV
The Keystone XL Energy Pipeline will create over 20,000 jobs while battling the high price of gas.The Keystone pipeline had been planned for years.It was supported by Republicans, Democrats, and Unions. President Obama canceled it. House Republicans are trying to create jobs. Since January 2011,they have passed 27 bipartisan jobs bills that are awaiting action in the Democrat-controlled Senate. The stale mate goes both ways. Hell yes! This is a fact! Show me where it is not.
I quoted that scripture because you had brought up the teachings of the bible. I thought that one had particular relevance to our country and how more people should behave.
Food for thought, what percentage of the 47% are seniors on social security considering the baby boomer aspect. And the college students that normally do not need to file.Deadbeats, most will not register to vote, not to call any attention to themselves.
If everyone paid the same percentage (say 10%-12%) the rich would still pay much more than the poor, but at least everyone would "have skin in the game" (Biden). Enough with the class warfare already.
He didn't say they live off the government. He said they pay no income tax. It is possible to earn income at such a low level that you qualify for a full tax refund which means you do not pay any income tax. Romney's vision is for people to make more money in the private sector, thus lifting themselves out of poverty and contributing to the debt solution while benefiting themselves. Obama's vision is to keep as many people getting government help, thus keeping them below the poverty level while fooling them into believing that this is the new norm. You decide.
Beyond the country clubhouse... He hasn't a clue. Paul Ryan is a name calling hothead that has voted to screw the middle and lower class every time. Obama isn't perfect and hasn't delivered on all the tough promises, but if he could get the republicans to work with instead of against him, things would be really different. I trust him to at least work to make life in these un-United States fair(if not better) for everyone. But no president will ever accomplish anything without help from congress. Besides if we were all doing so great and everyone was wealthy living in the land of milk and cookies... who would the working class be? Robots? There's always gonna be a group that's out daily bustin there butts to take care of the more privileged; and that group (my group), will always feel we have the right to complain. And as long as we life in a country were speech and opinion can be freely expressed our complaints will always be heard. At least were not in Syria, Egypt or any of the other places were your own government kicks you tail.