See how valued you are? And me?

[veronica_rich]

So Mitt Romney was caught calling nearly half the country a bunch of tax-shirking, tit-sucking, belly-crawling, irresponsible slags, on video (my summation, but I dare anyone to prove this isn't what the man was thinking). That anyone would be surprised by this mystifies me - but to be fair, I think what surprises them is that he was dumb enough to say it out loud - no finesse, no diplomacy, no hedging. And you gotta give the man credit for not denying it, at least. But then - why would he? He's either confident people are that damn dumb to vote for him, or he'll go back to making millions in the private sector if he loses. The man literally has nothing to lose.

Can you say the same?

You see, this attitude doesn't surprise me - because it's not new to me. In fact, earlier this year, I encountered it from someone who I thought was a friend. Our political views weren't similar, but we usually managed to sidestep out-and-out arguments. There was a lot about her I did not say aloud, and there were things she didn't voice to me, about what she thought of my actions and beliefs. But then she did let it slip. I'll spare you the details; let's just say that for a relatively mild remark I made about her views on history, I was treated to this:

You are just bitter that following your passion for writing hasn't been a successful path. You blame everyone else for your decisions that leave you so unhappy. So, I see why you support them - you don't take personal responsibility for your actions, expecting to get free handouts from the government.

The "them" she means are the Occupy Wall Street protesters - remember those guys? The people unable to find jobs and their supporters, who railed against unfair taxation on the majority to preserve the wealthy minority's bank accounts? Who demanded a bunch of corrupt baron robbers be called on their destructive economic behavior?

Now, no doubt she was referring to the fact I declared bankruptcy a few years ago. After almost two decades of trying to pay down student debt and high interest rates on 2 credit cards, as well as debt racked up from living off them partially while I was out of work and seeking another full-time job for years - while working 3 concurrent part-time jobs to meet rent, gas, and food, as well as very minimal entertainment - I asked the courts to help forgive nearly $35,000 I couldn't pay off, and help me put those $1,000-plus-a-month payments to better use. It was selfish, it was last-ditch, and yes, it did smell of irresponsibility. And I do not regret it. I needed a new start - when I started the first time into adulthood, I was 18, going to classes full-time, and working 3 concurrent jobs to cover what my scholarships would not. I had very little help from parents; they couldn't afford more than a little food money. I didn't have a car until my senior year, when I could make payments on a cheap one.

I won't tell you what all I've done to make a buck; let's just say it's all been legal and mostly underpaid. I will tell you what I haven't done, though. I've never married a military officer and taken advantage of that piece of paper to enjoy the income and insurance paid to him by taxpayers, and then sneered at the poorer people paying my bills - citizens who make sure their taxes are paid even at the expense of no health insurance or necessary medical care for themselves. I've never lived off an inheritance or life insurance from a dead parent. I've never NOT had to work and only done so when I felt like it. (And yeah, this is all the same person. Don't think I'm branching out, here.)

So, I'm a victim. Oh, I'm a victim, all right; I'm being swindled into footing the bill so this person and the wealthy people she idolizes - such as Romney - don't have to. And, read back above near the top of this entry: This is how much these assholes appreciate US meeting THEIR financial obligations in addition to our own.

Comments

[bayliss.livejournal.com]

That's what really makes me ultra mad with most Conservatives. They honestly believe that every person who is a Democrat wants a hand out from the Government. No, what we want is our fair share. What really pisses me off is the ones who sit there, take the money that they get with loopholes the the tax code, and then claim that they still pay too much in taxes. According to Romney, none of us are middle class, not one of us, unless of course you make over $250,000 a year? Which you really don't seem like you do. I make around $15,000 so i must be one of those low lives that think i need every thing handed to her.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I hope it's just the minority vocal ones who think that - I have good acquaintances and even friends who are conservatives, and I would hate to think that's how they see ME. I'll admit I don't think much of all their views, but Romney's bashing was really character-based at its core - and I can't say I think my conservative friends are bad or lazy or neglectful human beings. I would expect the same courtesy.

No, I do not make $250,000 a year, or a $35,000 credit card debt would've vanished long before I filed for bankruptcy. ;-)

[bayliss.livejournal.com]

I know several who are voting for Obama because they can't stand Romney. So, no not all of them are like Romney.

I never thought you did. :-)

[virginia-fell.livejournal.com]

Heck of a charming friend y'got (had?) there.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Had, fuck - I'm only willing to put up with so much abuse from people to whom I'm not related. I quietly gave her two months to find an "I apologize" or at least an "I was having a bad day" somewhere in there and she never did, so I figured out exactly what I was worth to her.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Elite Tories think exactly the same way, but they're not usually stupid enough to say so and their wealth tends to be inherited. Plus ca change. :(

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Romney's wealth is inherited - because the start he got in life, the advantages, the "loans," the contacts, all came down through his father. Anything he's taken in off of that goes directly back to that, most definitely.

He's not the first wealthy American to think what he said, but he's surely the first who so obviously doesn't care if it hurts his chances or not. Because, as I said - he doesn't NEED this job. (In fact, I'd almost think Romney is secretly an Obama supporter put in place to help the head dude get reelected - I just don't know why this would be.)

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

I really have moments where I want to send that life-sucking, hand-outs accepting bitch and call her out on how much more she IS like the people she thinks you and I are than we ever have been or will be. But, I don't want to stoop to her level. Honestly, she's not worth it.
I often try to comfort myself with the thought the Universe will bite her in the ass sooner or later. I like to contend that will come in the form of her precious first born being an all out proud flaming gay man.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I don't think that would bother her. Now, an open Democrat, maybe. LOL

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

Well, the hippie liberal part was implied with the flaming gay. LOL

[a-silver-rose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm so not shocked. I almost blew it off when I first heard what he said. Romney thinking and saying that is about as astonishing as the Chicago Cubs sucking it up for yet another year.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I know, right? LOL

[keechakatt.livejournal.com]

I had life insurance from a dead parent, believe me when I say it does not cover squat. I still had to work. As for your former friend? I would have dumped them also.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Oh, I imagine if you got $500,000 or a million you could live on it long enough - until you got that MRS you went to college for, anyway. ;-) I didn't get any of Mom's, so there you go ...