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I thought many months ago that it was at least possible that Mitt Romney would be more cautious about telling falsehoods as the election drew closer. After all, candidates can get away with more in, say, April than in September -- there's far more scrutiny now.
Alas, Romney seems unfazed, both by the calendar and by life under a microscope -- he keeps repeating falsehoods without any real concern for consequences. In case there were any doubts about his worst habit, consider the 35th installment of my weekly series, chronicling Mitt's mendacity.
1. At an event in Sarasota yesterday, Romney said, in reference to President Obama's comments about engaged citizens changing politics, "The president today threw in the white flag of surrender again."
That's not only a lie; it's also one of the dumbest things Romney has ever said in public.
2. At a Univision town-hall event in Miami, Romney said he opposes an economic model in which we "take from some to give to others."
Actually, Romney's preferred budget plan redistributes wealth at a level unseen in modern American history.
3. Romney also said, several times, "[T]his is a campaign about the 100 percent.... My campaign is about the 100 percent of America."
I seem to recall watching a video in which Romney said it's not his "job" to "worry about" 47 percent of the population.
4. At the same event, Romney boasted, "When I was governor of my state, the state of Massachusetts ... we brought unemployment down to 4.7 percent."
Well, in reality, the unemployment rate in Massachusetts dropped because so many people dropped out of the state's workforce. The fact of the matter is Massachusetts' job creation record during Romney's term was "one of the worst in the country," ranking 47th out of 50 states.
5. In response to a student's question about federal aid, Romney said, "We're going to continue a Pell Grant program.... So I care. I care about your education and helping people of modest means get a good education and we'll continue a Pell Grant program."
That's not what he said during the primaries.
6. On health care, Romney said at the same forum, "The government is going to ultimately have a board that tells you what kind of care you can receive."
This is in apparent reference to the Independent Payments Advisory Board (IPAB), and what Romney's saying isn't even close to being accurate.
7. In a Fox News interview, Romney said, "I have got great support from seniors, because they are unhappy with the fact that President Obama's Obamacare cuts Medicare by $716 billion."
Sigh.
8. In the same interview, Romney insisted that the Affordable Care Act "tells us what kind of health insurance we have to have."
As Romney surely knows -- his state-based policy works the same way -- the whole point of the Affordable Care Act is to provide consumers with choices of private plans, made available through regulated exchanges. Giving people choices and telling people "what kind of health insurance we have to have" are opposites.
9. Asked about his affiliation with Kris Koback, Romney said this week, "He may well be part of a policy team [but] I have not met with him yet."
As his campaign later admitted, this wasn't true.
10. Speaking to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce this week, Romney said, "The administration promised us that its policies would have brought unemployment down to 5.4% by now."
11. Romney added, "[M]y Plan for a Stronger Middle Class will create 12 million jobs by the end of my first term."
Putting aside the pesky detail that Romney doesn't actually have a specific jobs plan, the fact remains that if we do nothing, we're on track to create 12 million new American jobs over the next four years anyway.
12. In the same speech, Romney said, "President Obama has not initiated a single new trade agreement with Latin America. I will."
He's trying to slice the truth in a way that misleads. In reality, Obama finalized three separate trade deals in his first term: Panama, Colombia, and South Korea.
13. In reference to China, Romney argued, "President Obama may think that announcing new trade cases less than two months from Election Day will distract from his record, but the American businesses and workers struggling on an uneven playing field know better."
This just isn't true. Obama just didn't bring a new case at the WTO against China "less than two months from Election Day," he's been bringing these cases throughout his term.
14. Romney also said, "Many Hispanics have sacrificed greatly to help build our country and our economy, and to leave for their children a brighter future. Today, those sacrifices are being put at risk by a president who cannot stop spending."
Government spending is down, not up, under President Obama.
15. Romney went on to boast, "I know how to balance budgets. We balanced our budget in my business, at the Olympics, and every year in my state."
He balanced his budget at the Olympics thanks to a taxpayer bailout, and in Massachusetts, Romney left his successor with a deficit.
16. On federal spending, Romney said, "[M]y test is this: is the program so critical that it is worth borrowing money from China to pay for it?"
The implication here is that U.S. debt is financed by the Chinese, but this isn't true -- China only holds about 8% of the nation's debt.
17. Romney added, "The president has put us on the road to Greece."
18. Romney also argued, "No wonder business start-ups are at a 30-year low."
19. Romney went on to say Obama "plans to raise the federal income tax on small business even more."
In reality, Obama has repeatedly cut taxes on small businesses -- by some counts, 18 times -- and if given a second term, his tax plan would have no effect on 97% of small businesses.
20. Referencing the Affordable Care Act, Romney said, "The Chamber of Commerce surveyed 1,300 of its members. It found that three-quarters of them said they are less likely to hire people because of Obamacare."
The "survey" is a joke. The Chamber, a pro-Republican lobbying institution heavily invested in helping Romney, put up an unscientific online survey. Treating this as a legitimate poll of businesses is fundamentally dishonest.
21. Romeny added, "Obamacare ... is already depressing job creation."
There's literally no evidence to support this, but let's also note that Romney created a nearly identical policy at the state level, and it didn't depress job creation at all.
22. On immigration policy, Romney said, "Despite his party having majorities in both houses of Congress, the president never even offered up a bill."
First, the president has endorsed all kinds of immigration bills. Second, having majorities in both chambers doesn't change the fact that Senate Republican filibusters blocked immigration policymaking.
23. In his weekly podcast, Romney said, "President Obama has imposed major new federal regulations at an unprecedented rate."
Well, it depends on what Romney means by "unprecedented." He may be surprised to learn that Obama approved fewer regulations in his first three years in office than Bush did in his first three years.
24. At a campaign event in Painesville, Ohio, Romney suggested it's Obama's fault that the price of "gasoline has doubled."
To call this comically misleading would be an understatement.
25. In the same speech, "I've got a [jobs] plan, all right. Unlike the president, I have a plan."
Romney doesn't have to like the American Jobs Act, but he shouldn't get away with brazenly lying about its existence.
26. Romney also argued, "The president believes in having a government put money out into companies. He put $90 billion into solar and wind, and green-energy companies. He's picking winners and losers.... He doesn't understand that the market where free people pursuing dreams and working to take their ideas to the marketplace, that's what makes America go; not a government that tries to pick investments, and guide the market for us."
What an interesting choice of misleading words. Because whether he likes it or not, if Obama "doesn't understand" free people in a free market, then Romney "doesn't understand" this, either.
27. Mitt Romney says "redistribution" has "never been a characteristic of America."
Redistribution has always been a characteristic of America.
28. In an ad unveiled by his campaign this week, Romney argues, "Dear Daughter. Welcome to America. Your share of Obama's debt is over $50,000."
That's only true if you attribute Bush's debts to Obama, which is ridiculous.
Previous editions of Chronicling Mitt's Mendacity: Vol. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII,XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV
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That 'distribution' goes to the military, Social Security, Medicare, farm subsidies, oil company subsidies, congressional salaries, NASA, etc......
Romney continues to outdo himself in truly legendary form - a disaster for him but a gift to comedians!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVIO1y7Ol2U
He is only proving he cannot be president. He can't handle being in the public eye as a candidate.
I wish you would end these posts with a running tally. It would help in our betting pool for how many lies Mitzy can compile by election day. (that's a joke) Seriously though It would be nice to know.
At about 45 seconds into this video you can see and hear Myth say "The blind trust is an age-old ruse" so obviously we can't believe that was ever the case. Here's the link: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-july-16-2012/democalypse-2012---bain-damage---romney-s-blind-trust
MITT ROMNEY NEVER LIED TO YOU (YOU'RE JUST NOT PAYING ATTENTION)
As those of you who have been following my blog know, I am prone to look for connections or parallels in this election. It is my nature to listen to that inner voice of mine when it whispers or shrieks that there is something beyond or beneath the surface of what I am hearing. Over this last week my little voice has been straining to be heard.
Many people, political commentators and casual observers have taken issue with Mr. Romney's supposed "flip-flopping" in his campaign. I disagree with this assessment. To my embarrassment and annoyance with the media I must admit that we, as voters and as a nation in this most important election, are not paying attention to what is really being said.
Early on in Mr. Romney's campaign he stated that, "I like firing people who provide services to me". When the "secret" $50,000 a plate video aired I couldn't turn on the Cartoon network without hearing about the shock and outrage over what Mr. Romney had said. But, I had to ask myself why such a reaction? Is it, as I stated previously that we are just not paying attention? I, like you and every other American voter actually do provide a service to our would-be candidates and it is of course through our vote that we do so. When he, (Mr. Romney) made the case for his disregard of the 47% who, according to him don't pay taxes he was in effect exercising his fondness for "firing people who provide services to me". There is no flip-flop here. He stated his opinion, which is not a flip from that original statement. As I understand it, those Americans who are working, but not earning enough to break the poverty barrier are indeed paying Payroll taxes, but not income taxes. American Seniors receiving a Social Security check are not paying income taxes and those Americans serving in our Military, when deployed to a "WAR" zone are not paying income taxes. These people are not providing a service to Mr. Romney, (in his view) and therefore they are expendable.
Mr. Romney has also stated that he would, "end the division in this country". When he chose to lump this large group of Americans, of human beings into a statistic, a number on his personal Profit and Loss sheet he did stop the division. He, in effect said that those who can afford a $50,000 lunch are Americans and the rest of us are not.
In his primary debate he, (Mr. Romney) offered "self-deportation" as a remedy to the Immigration issue, citing that people would eventually see that they would do better to return to their countries of origin. To date Mr. Romney has not offered any other information regarding what he would do other than to say that he would repeal the Dream Act and that he does support "Papers Please". Again, I see no flip-flop here. Mr. Romney is making it clear that he intends to make it all but impossible for those immigrants already here to stay and for any others considering the United States as a place where they might actually have a shot at a better life to re-think their options.
When Todd Akin espoused his views on "Legitimate Rape" and his incredible lack of knowledge of simple biology, Mr. Romney said that those were not the words he would have used. There is (sadly) no flip-flop here either. That statement was an admission of likeminded thought by Mr. Romney, though he would have "chosen different wording". Mr. Romney has also stated that he would repeal the "Lilly Ledbetter" Act. In making the statement he makes his opinion clear on Women's Equality.
Throughout his campaign Mr. Romney has used words like "other" and "un-American" without ever qualifying his statements. This to me is the "Silence speaks volumes" aspect of his agenda. He hasn't "walked back" these statements because they are in fact what he believes. I will grant you that these earlier statements were directed at the President, but it is my belief that Mr. Romney realized he wasn't making the inroads that he would have liked with just a single target, so he broadened his scope to include the 47%. Once again, the use of these terms throughout the campaign is telling us up front what he thinks, so this video admission should come as no surprise.
Mr. Romney has been equally silent on the voter suppression issue though unfortunately for him, some of his fellow republicans have not. My simplistic logic where this is concerned tells me that if you are not willing to stand up for my right to vote it is only because you do not value my right to vote. He made this clear through his silence.
Due to Mr. Romney's "foot in mouth" news conference regarding the crisis in Libya and Egypt his view on foreign policy and small government became intertwined in a most macabre way. His "kick the can down the road and see what happens" approach translated to, kick the gasoline can down the road and if it should land at the doorstep of Americans in harm's way, oh well. Diplomats are only government employees after all.
[I am only citing what I believe to be Mr. Romney's disregard. I have the utmost respect and deepest sympathies for the families of those American Citizens that were lost.]
CHRISTOPHER STEVENS - SEAN SMITH - GLEN DOHERTY - TYRONE WOODS
My little voice is not done speaking.
I am going to make a parallel of my own. We have all been made aware of the workers who were told to build a stage only to be called in front of it and summarily fired. This was made known to us early on. My parallel is that every person who contributes a dollar or casts a vote for this candidate is building that same stage and by ignoring the facts Mr. Romney continually presents you are willingly placing yourselves and those you love on this sacrificial altar.
With all that I have placed on these pages for your consideration and considering the great effort on Mr. Romney's part to make clear his true thoughts, feelings and ultimate agenda I am forced to ask this question. Why is the media making statements and devoting large segments of their programs to analyzing how Mr. Romney might change the minds of the American voters and salvage his campaign?
If only I could write people off so easily, it would be less painful to watch humans discount each other. I can't do it.
I figure that's what's happened to so many folks. Instead of feeling the things that would seem like empathy and treating each other as ourselves. Inoculate against those feelings and replace them with suspicion and disdain for other humans.
If only I could write people off so easily,
Sandy, I think republicans have the mindset of "if I can do it, so can you, and if you are not successful then you are lazy or not trying hard enough."
They seem to take literally "all men are created equal", meaning we were all given the same abilities which is obviously untrue.
I like to judge a person on the effort he or she puts forth. I also like the saying,"to those that much has been given, much should be expected."
Only 28 this time?! Slowing down. I expect 35 or more lies from here on out.
I am looking forward to your comments on his tax returns and the statements he and his campaign have made surrounding them, esp that a president shouldn't pay more in taxes and he's never paid less than 13% - sorta painted himself into a corner with that one. Technically a lie?
In the meantime, here's an infographic around presidential candidates' incomes and taxes versus that of the Average American: http://www.tonymarkey.info/presidential-incomes-2012.html
Voter fraud of a young woman working for the county clerk registering voters and only registering Romney supporters
http://youtu.be/Rdk55dLsFhc
Good catch! From the tone of voice of the person who recorded the encounter, I think that young woman will be in big trouble. And whoever gave her the orders to only register Romney supporters will have to answer for it. Please give us any followup you can find.
Video of County employees working for the clerk office registering voters for Romney only!
http://youtu.be/Rdk55dLsFhc
New Hypothesis: Romney is hiding his old tax returns because he does not want the public to see how much he has given to the Mormon Church. Why? Because the Mormons set him up at Bain with the stipulation that he give one-third of his income back and probably most of his estate to them upon his death.
What evidence?
Romney says he wants to pay only what is due in US taxes, i.e., the minimum, and yet in 2011, he pays 33% to the Mormon Church when they only request 10%. Rather than somehow "take back" the charitable donation or even not give it, he simply does not take the full tax deduction to make his ideal tax rate of 14% and presumably will just amend his tax return after the election to get it all back.
His wife keeps saying if you only knew how generous he was you'd stop bothering him about his taxes. The dog issue seems to dog the idea of generosity. His snotty 47% percent comments dog the generosity idea as well. Perhaps Anne is out of the loop when it comes to him and the Mormon Church. Mitt and more secrets...the Mormon Church is secret clear down to the underwear.
He dodged the draft by going to FRANCE for his missionary work...not Algeria...not Mexico...the Mormon hierarchy must have favored him from the beginning, after all he was named after Willard Marriott and Mitt's dad was no slouch either. In his defense, I heard someone say his mission work was hard because he was faced with Catholics and atheists. Being an ex-Catholic and atheist, I can sympathize with his difficulty...probably the first time anyone ever told him "no" and he could not get his way.
Here's an interesting blog highlighting all the Romney lies. It's a weekly blog, have a look.
So, in a related story : Headline news: "Coke" Koch bros. plan a silent coup of taking over America by financing politicians who run for office who do what they want. How did that even happen when they took the handcuffs off campaign financing (entity = person). Are you kidding me? These guys really scare me. I would like to see more on this topic.