The Millionaire Double Standard (Warning: Political!)

Updated on October 30, 2012
A.B. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
23 answers

Ok, we are all entitled to our reasons for preferring one candidate over the other, but there is one argument I just don't understand and I'd like to focus on it, not any other issue, in this question.

I hear so many people (mostly working class, lifetime dems) say "Romney is a millionaire, he doesn't know anything about what it's like to be me and he doesn't care about the 'common man'", so I'm voting for Obama.

This seems illogical considering that:

1. Obama's net worth is $15 million, he holds accounts in the Caymens as well as Swizterland, and will receive a larger pension than Romney

2. Obama has never held a "real" job, much less a working class one, and hasn't created any! He doesn't understand business at all.

3. Obama , his wife, and children have all attended prestigious schools.

on and on to say --> Obama is not a "common man", either! He's a millionaire like Romney but WITHOUT the responsibility of having created jobs, whereas Romney's track record here speaks for itself. He has created thousands of jobs and has had the responsibility of actually making desicions that effect people's families.

So IF for you the jobs/ecomony are the main issue, can you agree that this line doesn't hold much logic? What puts Obama in a position to understand you any better than Romney? How is your life better today bc of Obama?

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Can we at least all agree that an "average joe" is not, under our current system, in a position to ever rise to the presidency? It costs so much to even run that it's not going to happen without a MAJOR overhaul of things - which I'd support, by they way.

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So What Happened?

@Dawn, exactly what I said above.

@Amy J, I understand your skepticism bc we're all used to hearing promises from candidates. What's different this time? The answer is a PROVEN RECORD. If Romney was out there touting ideas he'd tried and failed miserably (like O's policies) then, I'd agree with you, but the FACT is he has the experience and track record to support his plan. It makes all the difference in the world.

@Sue, Have we forgotten that Romney has run a government? One in which he was in the minority party and still was able to accomplish a lot. Do I agree with him on everything? No, but to suggest that Obama is more qualified in this regard is silly.

It takes business sense to understand what makes businesses successful - it isn't as easy as sitting back in a fat cat chair buying and selling and yet that's the caricature some of you are embracing. Also, who cares if investors made money? That's how all business works, it doesn't change the fact that jobs were created. That said, the mere creation of jobs doesn't mean that everyone gets to be a millionaire. We all make our choices in life and some careers are more lucrative than others. No one owes me anything bc I chose a less lucrative field than someone else, yet that's Obama's primary argument: that if you're doing well, you must not be doing your fair share. Again, ridiculous when you compare how much money he has give (or NOT given) to charity compared to Romney - how is he remembering his roots and helping those people who share them? Again, illogical.

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S.L.

answers from New York on

People dont really research their opinions. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/14/david-st... is an article where a Reagan supporter explains what kind of businessman Romney was.
there are many articles explaining how Michele Obama got into a prestigious free public school despite her lower middle class family.
there is proof that Ann Romney said she understands poverty because they lived off trust funds while in college. Yeah, that sums up a hard life. She has referred to middle class people as "those people" I've never read a thing about how either Romney worked to help a poor neighborhood improve itself through bettter education or nutrition, legal advice or improved parenting.
The Obamas may have money now but dont seem to have forgotten their beginnings. President Obama had to leave his mother to go live with wealthy grandparents in order to have a good education. That is a sacrifice his mother chose to make.
The fact that you claim being a law college professor and a civil rights attorney are not real jobs makes me think I'm crazy to even read what you have to write.

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

ANY person who makes the homestretch of being president is loaded, Amy. An "average joe" is never going to be a president.

Dawn

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K.F.

answers from Salinas on

Clearly you haven't done your research.

Maybe you aren't capable of grasping the difference between the wealth of the Obama's and the wealth of the Romney's. Maybe you actually believe they have similar life experiences when it comes to class and money. There is nothing we can say here to convince you that you are dead wrong until you actually read the history of both candidates and their families.

May I suggest a great PBS special I watched outlining both men's rise to power. Maybe a little goggling would help you out, even wikipedia shows stark differences in both candidate's histories.

To paint both candidates as coming from the same place financially and historically shows you are VERY misinformed. To compare the wealth of the candidates is laughable and to say Obama has never had a real job is simply a lie.

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T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

The so called argument your're talking about is really a hodgepodge of various opinions of various people.
Some people admire the fact that Obama came from working class beginnings and had great educational and financial success (isn't that the American Dream?)
Some people admire Romney's business success and believe that will translate into presidential success. Perhaps it will.
As long as that "success" doesn't equate to shipping jobs overseas.
I happen to think they should both be admired for their success, why not?
Plenty of people can't stand Romney simply because he was born into wealth and walked right into the business world, thanks to his father's ties. But so what, was it his fault he was born into that world? What matters is his intelligence and the content of his character.
Same thing with Obama. Many people blame him for our still sluggish economy, as if one man could be blamed for such a complex problem. That is just ignorant and naive.
I don't think there's much difference between the two men, honestly. But I DO think there's a big difference between the parties overall, and I support democratic ideals (women's rights, gay rights, medical research, funding education, etc.) that many (not all) republicans oppose, and that is why I tend to swing left.

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

What Kari F. said. Please people, do your research. Romney's money is greater than all the modern presidents' wealth added together. And, he's never "run" a business. Buying and selling businesses is not running them. Besides, we need someone who can run a government, which is totally different than running a for-profit business. A for-profit business would fire 47% of us because we are not profitable....oh, wait...

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K.N.

answers from Boston on

As a Massachusetts resident, I would never vote for Romney. When he was governor here he actually did very, very little. We have a very strong legislative branch and it was (& is) predominantly the legislature that gets things done -- including health care.

Romney was very busy setting himself up to run for president when he was governor. In fact, he was more a "part timer" here than anything else. He didn't finish his term & threw pretty much anybody under the bus if they couldn't help him get to his ultimate goal: the presidency.

He's not well-regarded in my state. I don't want him running the country!

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Romney is good at making money FOR INVESTORS. In many of the companies that Bain invested in and consulted with on restructuring, the route to profitability involved laying off workers and moving jobs overseas. It's not rocket science. The company I work for does this too - running into budget issues? Let's look at which department we can move offshore - we'll layoff workers in the US who make $35-50K per year plus benefits and move their jobs to India, where we're billed about $16-20K per year for the same work.

This doesn't work when running a country - if we were to run our country like a business, we'd be selling off most of the red states because the blue states - you know, those "East Coast elites" and other "liberal" states provide a disproportionate amount of our country's revenue. We blue states are profit centers while many red states take a lot more in government resources than they contribute. If cracks me up that so many GOP supporters are against big government but live in states that rely heavily on that same federal spending to stay afloat. But go ahead and protect your millionaires while you or your neighbors work government-subsidized jobs, survive on federal farm subsidies, go to college on federal grants, etc.

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

You're kidding, right?

Barack and Michelle Obama went to prestigious schools? Um, no! Public school. Google the school records and the photos of their childhood homes. Their children go to private schools because of security issues - same as Amy Carter, Chelsea Clinton and other young children of prominent people. It's actually less expensive than sending 500 secret service agents to a public school. It was a difficult and reasoned choice. Both Obamas grew up in very modest circumstances and the photos of their childhood homes are all over the internet.

$15 million in the Caymans? Nope, you've got your candidates confused.

Obama's federal pension is based on federal offices held (Senate, Presidency). Romney has never held federal office so does not qualify for a federal pension. People who've served in Congress for longer have much larger pensions.

Obama worked in community jobs before becoming a professor of constitutional law. The top "business-oriented" presidents in the past were Bush 2 (oil, baseball), Hoover and Harding - they gave us Iraq War, the great recession, the great depression and Teapot Dome. So how does business experience necessarily give someone what is needed in Washington?

Romney's business experience is pretty much limited to liquidating businesses. He often mentions his father, Gov. George Romney, but his father's long-time chief of staff has recently submitted a detailed piece to the public about how the younger Romney's values are so different. He has been a speculator and a bankruptcy advocate. He touts his experience as Massachusetts Governor and "reaching across the aisle" but, if that is true, why is it that he has no hope of even a decent showing in his "home state"?? Almost all of his decisions were overridden, and he refused to meet with legislators (even declaring a State House elevator off limits to them so he could use it privately without engaging with them or the public.)

All those people who worked with him know what kind of condition he left this state in. Fees (another word for "taxes") were raised 3 and 4 and 10 times as much, and the state ranked 47th in job creation and education. He says he "reduced taxes" but neglects to say that he "raised fees" so that most people paid much more overall. In short, he created NO JOBS and the brain drain in Massachusetts was horrible until the current governor. Understand that Massachusetts has had many moderate Republican governors before (Bill Weld, Paul Cellucci) but the state was only left in dire straits by Romney.

Just look at Freeport IL and scores of other cities where Romney went in - they are all out of work. Really, what jobs has he created? All of the non-partisan evaluations have no idea what he's talking about in terms of his past, and the "12 million" he keeps harping on can't possibly happen for 10 years and that's counting what Obama has already done.

His "rescue" of the Olympics was largely based on federal money - for proof, watch the videos of Romney himself saying "Go to Washington, because that's where the money is." Now he says, "No federal, everything goes to the states." He supported Planned Parenthood, public broadcasting and women's rights in Massachusetts, but now has pandered to the right wing and is against it all. He says whatever he needs to say to get elected.

And you're right than an average person has a lot of trouble becoming president because the campaigns are so long and so expensive. The Citizens United decision opened it up to much more corporate and PAC money -you can tell based on how many commercials do NOT say "I'm X and I approved this message." Most candidates rely on big money, which means they pander to the people with the bucks. Obama's contributions (as federally reported) were largely under $250 each - the largest grass roots fundraising ever. Largely thanks to the internet and field offices. So yes, if we get the MONEY out of elections, it will be more fair on either side.

So, honestly, there is no "proven record" except in Romney's press releases. There are no jobs! Ask anyone in the entire state of Massachusetts if they have a job because of Romney's policies.

And you have no way of knowing what Romney gave to charity because he hasn't released his tax returns. But I'm sure he gave more (mostly to his church) because he MADE so much more!! And remember that most of his income is "unearned" coming from investments and off-shore shelters, rather than "earned" which is what Obama has declared on his returns.

Vote for Romney if you want, but remember that not one Massachusetts business owner is featured on a Romney commercial saying how much better life is since he was governor. All of the "Romney created businesses" hype is from Romney himself. He says "I know what it takes" but he does not put forth any details, other than cutting taxes for the rich in a scheme that not one economist says will work. There is no track record, except in his own mind and in his own ads. If there were, he'd be featuring it. But even he knows he has no one to stand up for him. He is just hoping that the electorate doesn't expect any proof.

And yes, business works on behalf of the investors. But that's not job creation, so don't confuse the two. THOSE are the people giving money to Romney, and threatening their staff if they don't follow suit. It's a nasty business. If you're an investor, you will do well under Romney. If you want a job, forget it.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

If Romney did such a great job in Massachusetts, why isn't there more support for him there?

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K.S.

answers from Denver on

You go girl! Couldn't agree more with what you've said.

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P.R.

answers from Cleveland on

Thank you for posting this!

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Romney has lots of experience creating jobs, just not here in the USA, lol.

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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

I would give Diane B's response 100 flowers if I could. She is 100% right "on the money" (pun intended).

Check the fact, check the facts, check the facts. Question everything, but with rationality and not with paranoia.

I did my own fact checking on this campaign and the previous ones, from multiple sources from left, the right and the center. And I am voting for Barack Obama.

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T.M.

answers from Redding on

I do believe that Romney is the person to get the business of America back on track. Obama is not a businessman and the congress are being assholes, so Obama should go... He should step out on his own, that would show a lot more integrity.

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H.P.

answers from Houston on

President Obama was poor. His big privileges as a child were to be loved and nurtured by his family and to believe that he could be whatever he set out to be. People are not holding Romney's money against him. They are holding against him his sense of entitlement, his inability to relate to the multitudes, his lack of a sense of real community and citizenship with every other person on this planet, and his unwillingness to even try to feel that connection. Yet, he tries to act like he does have the connection and can relate, and that makes it even worse, because he thinks that he is fooling people. It's not really the kind of thing that can be explained, only recognized among people who hear it and see it. Seriously, if you can't hear it, then no one can point it out to you.

ETA: You're right in that no "average joe" could be President in this time. The thing about that, though, is that Obama had the appearance of an average joe early on. There was nothing noteworthy about him except that he was a "special kid", a kid who dared to dream. He was raised by loving family who taught him that he was more than the color of his skin. They nurtured him and maintained certain expectations of him, and he was able to turn that into a life of nurturing others on a grand scale. He is an example of living "right" and valuing people instead of things. He recognizes that our richest commodity is our people and that we are only as good as the way we treat the "least" of us. He brings a differnt perspective, one that this country as a whole doesn't necessarily care to see because we have a history of wanting to cover up what we deem unpalatable. We like to "put on airs", and he's just not about that.

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A.H.

answers from Omaha on

I don't begrudge either candidate, Obama or Romney, their wealth. As long as they have earned it legally and ethically, more power to them! I applaud that kind of hard work. I may never be friends with either one of them, but that doesn't mean I don't possess the same potential to achieve great success if I set my mind to it. As a person that has grown up in a very comfortable middle class lifestyle, I see all the great opportunities the USA provides that many other countries can't. Where else can you go and be a true rags-to-riches story other than the United States? Hard work, innovation and motivation among others have always been highly regarded traits in this country. You really can be anything you want to be if you put your mind to it. I honestly, from my heart, believe that.
The difference for me is Obama really believes in a Socialistic perhaps even Communist mentality. Redistributing the wealth is not the best course of action for us to take. I saw a post on Facebook the other day that summed it up beautifully: The Law of Common Sense: If everyone enjoys the free ride and not enough people help pull, the wagon is not going anywhere! Providing people with opportunities to create their own wealth not only empowers them, but creates more of a hand-up society instead of a hand-out one. Everybody needs to do their part, whatever that part is. I don't think Obama's policies would foster our basic ideals as a Republic for the people, by the people. I think Romney would.
I think Obamacare is a flawed law. Of course, everyone needs quality, affordable healthcare, but this law isn't going to provide that,folks! I don't disagree that something needs to be done about the current healthcare and insurance problems that exist, but they need to repeal this law and go back to the drawing table on that one. 15 unelected government officials deciding what procedures my family can and can't have is not a viable option. And women are worried if their birth control pills are free or not? Give me a break!
At any rate, I believe Romney will uphold our values and core beliefs of the American Constitution more so than Obama would and it doesn't matter to me how much money is in either of their bank accounts.
HTH,
A.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

Politicians are rich and will continue to get more rich. Doesn't matter what side of the line they are on. I can't relate to ANY of them, and neither can most of the citizens here. I don't care who has more money, or where it came from. There is no such thing as an "everyman" president. When it comes right down to it, there will never be a president who gets what it's like to be the common American. They are ALL out of touch.

Honestly, the whole argument is stupid. Neither of them are on the pulse of America. They are wealthy politicians, and wealthy politicians aren't going to understand the typical American struggles. They don't have to, doesn't anyone understand that? They just have to say they understand, and the people who believe them will vote for them.

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J.A.

answers from Denver on

I tried to explain this to someone and all I got was hatred in return. Thanks for posting this anyway :)

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L.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I completely agree with you!!!!! Thank you for posting!!!

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K.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

THANK YOU!!! I've been trying to explain that to some people for months! OBAMA IS RICH! So is most candidates! Are you kidding me? Kennedy was filthy stinking rich and it was handed to him, not earned, yet he's considered one of our greatest presidents who understood the common man. Romney was not born rich. He lived in a basement apartment while working and getting two degrees to do better for his family. Isn't that the goal of all parents? To do better than your parents and to have your children do better than you? Or to stay poor and have your children stay poor and uneducated. This entire "rich" thing is only an excuse, or jealousy. Why are people jealous of the wealthy? He's paid millions in his taxes last year. That's not enough? Crazy. Obama is filthy rich. His children has never and will never know what it's like to go hungry and worry about college and a good future. Watch when Obama is out of office. Look at the MANSION he and his family will be buying and living in when they move to Hawaii.... HAWAII! Rich in Hawaii is not a bad way to go!

Focus on real issues.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

All I know (and really don't KNOW but have heard) is that Obama was raised by a single mother, working 2 jobs who died of cancer while fighting insurance companies for services and payments. That's real to me. How many other people who have EVER held the presidency came from that sort of a background? There may have been some, I'm not saying there aren't 'cause I don't know. I just want the person in the White House to REALLY know what it is to be ME! I don't think Romney has a clue.

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M.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Amen, sister! Everything we have to pay for has been inflated many times over since Obama took office. We cannot afford another four years of this...

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R.H.

answers from Houston on

I have learned to keep my comments regarding the election to myself. While I respect others' opinions, they seem to target mine.

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