Thurston Howell “Mitt” Romney released his 2011 tax return, bringing up some questions.
Using round numbers, he collected $14 million, paid $2 million taxes, and gave $4 million to the Mormons, or about twice what he gave to his country. (He gave the money to a church, not to God.)
So the question asks itself, is he twice as dedicated to his church as his country? He’s a high ranking bishop in the Mormon church. How much say or influence does he wield in how his $4 million contribution is spent? Can he direct this money somehow for his own benefit? It sounds like he could lead a complicated life.
I have these doubts because of his comments about the “47 percent” that he has written off, which probably includes me. My concern is, in spite of his words, where does his heart really lie? One can say anything; doing is another.
It’s bothersome that he didn’t declare all his religious contribution, which raised his tax level to about 14 percent. Why did he not take the full deduction ‘as allowed by law’, and as he claims he always does? Maybe because his tax rate then would’ve been more like 10%, and would look bad? What do his returns from 2001 to 2010 show? What sort of man is he?
More troublesome is that he can later file an amended return, taking credit for his entire religious contribution, and get a huge tax refund from the government!
There’s a story about a girl and her kittens; she claimed they were Christian kittens, but when asked later, said they were atheist kittens. When asked why the change said, “Well, now they have their eyes open.”
That’s the way I feel about Thurston Howell Romney, and his self-described ‘budget expert’, Paul Ryan.
A. Martin
Merrifield
Comments (52)
Add commentThanks, A. Martin, for pointing out, once again, the
manipulation of the tax rate issue. I'm not sure who said it, but it is worthy of repeating: "It's not how much you give (in a "charitable" manner), but it's how much you have left AFTER you've given (that god might look at?). If there's a ton of money left in your accounts after your supposed "generous" giving, have you, in fact, given at all? "Figures lie, and liars figure."
. . . and, furthermore, http://brainerddispatch.com/opinion/open
. . . it's really hard to get our Congressman Cravaack into an open forum. Congress wrapped up in D.C. for the fall "political season" earlier than ever this year. Presumably, Cong. Cravaack will have an extra week or two to meet with his constituents (in open, free town hall meetings) this fall. It will be interesting to see how he uses his extra time (that we've already paid for as taxpayers). Please let Keith and others in charge at the Dispatch know the dates of your public meetings in Brainerd, Congressman. Thank you.
A Martin
Always the source of far left baloney. Two million to the country. What was your fine contribution lefter? I am guessing that when the collection plate went by you put nothing in and took a handful out.
Some athiests
do crawl out on Sunday night, I see. And while normally there are no "Recent Comments" on this site on Sunday, they do let A. Martin star for the left wing show.
I see
that snow and southie used their thumbs also.
Nice insult thrown there
Mr. Nice. Bad day on the easy learner's trail or are you just being your normal nasty- lefty that says you are religous?
P.S.
I do Pay for myself at the doctor, do you?
Romney gives 30% of his income to charity...
...doesn't declare ALL of it because that would push him into a lower tax bracket, and the left still thinks he hasn't given enough. Notice that over the last decade he's given an average of 13.5% of his income to charity every year, while Obama, before he was living large in the White House on the taxpayer's dime was giving about 1% to charity.
Now THAT, is STINGY!
http://perspectivesonthenews.blogs.deseretnews.com/2012/09/25/what-romne...
You know Johan,
most times I'd never be judgemental of folks that use assistance to get along. I know that some people need it and I don't care that I help pay for it, even if I am having hard times. You see, even if I am having hard times the government doesn't lower the rate that they with hold from my paycheck. I never get relief from the percentage that goes to "some" people for free every month. The thing that really pokes me is when some of those people (one in particular) mouth off about it on here. If that one would ever offer to prove he pays his way totally as I do we could quit arguing about this. But alas, the scot just sends nasty bolts my way when he feels fiesty.
OMGosh: To the folks who are inclined to defend "rich romney"
Do you really think Gov. Romney is "one of us"? If so, I'm not sure who "Us" is. I'm slightly inclined to think many Republicans on this site are also folks of modest means. If so, again, why do you support Gov. Romney? Is it only because of supposed "pro-life" issues? Or do you actually think Gov. Romney is a "regular" kind of guy -- who understands the way you and your family live? Thanks for giving my questions serious consideration. I'm truly interested.
Romney and charitable giving
I'm not from Minnesota but saw this article on the internet and had to comment. It is unfortunate that Mr. Martin did not take the time to really learn about the Mormon faith. I'm a Mormon. It is part of our faith to pay 10% of our income annually to the church. We do feel like we give it to God. It is considered sacred funds. After we give our donation we have no say in how it is spent. No one in the church wields more influence than another according to their financial situation. To insinuate that he could somehow direct this money to his own benefit is the blackest of falsehoods.
He was a bishop years ago, but is not now a bishop. He has no say in church policy or how it is governed. Once he is "released" as a bishop he goes back into the congregation as just an ordinary Mormon.
I believe that this article is journalism of the poorest sort. The author insinuates things that are not true. He hypothizes accusations without any kind of information.
Great Divide
Mission accomplished... according to the liberal mindset, Mitt is too successful to be President.
What's next?
If it is a liberal "sin" to live off the rewards of smart investments, then the same should be true for all that have invested wisely in any retirement program (401k).
We shouldn't value money made
We shouldn't value money made on investments over money made by labor with special low tax rates. That devalues the working class.
Would Bubba and A. care to
Would Bubba and A. care to disclose their taxes for the past ten yrs? Probably not. I think I know what the A. in A. Martin stands for.
"We do feel like we give it to God. It is considered sacred funds. After we give our donation we have no say in how it is spent." But we do get to blow our horn in the BDD.
Do you really think Gov. Romney is "one of us"? If so, I'm not sure who "Us" is. In your pathetic case " us is "you." And you are correct, neither he nor I is one of "you, depending on what your definition of is is. 47%love to all - Steve
Is it communist labor
that you are referring to, fish?
Wow, Bubba...
...do you want those of us of modest means to vote for Obama because he's "one of us"? The guy was raised in the nicest neighborhoods of Hawaii and Indonesia. He went to a ritzy prep school, Columbia, and Harvard university. He lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago and he hobnobs with Hollywood and the music industry. But more than anything, he represents an ideology that believes government is your savior. I know which side my bread is buttered on and how I make my living and it's not through the government so I'd really appreciate if he'd stop killing businesses with his anti-business policies, because every time he does he makes me and other middle class citizens just that much poorer.
According to fish...
taking a percentage of your pay check and investing it only devalues the working class? boy do the have him hook,line and sinker!
I do not get it?
Why are people so worried about how much money Romney makes? His tax rate is based on investments. The money he invests, has already been taxed when he re-invests it. Why don't people remember that? Also people whine about him not being a "common man"? Really? I for one don't want an average Joe making those incredibly tough economic choices. I want an elite mind, who has been faced with those tough questions before. And you really think you relate better to a radical from Chicago? That is more like you? Also if Obama is "one of us" or can relate to us, why did he need a teleprompter when he gave a speech to 6th graders? Joe Biden gave $300 last year. $300. And Romney gets hammered for how he gave two million? Really?
I am a Latter-day Saint, aka
I am a Latter-day Saint, aka "Mormon". I also happen not to be a Romney supporter. However, let's get a couple of things straight. Romney is not a "high ranking bishop". A Mormon bishop is a Mormon bishop. I served as a bishop as did several other men in my congregation. A LDS Bishop is not unlike a pastor. Bishops to not, by virtue of their church position, have direct access to the leadership in Salt Lake City. While most Bishops are loved by their congregation, they are a local position and certainly not "high ranking". Like all of us tithe paying Mormons, he has NO SAY whatsoever, in how his tithing contributions are spent. With all due respect, you really need to do a little research and find out some basic information before implying that the Romney has special rights of some type in the LDS Church. I might add that Harry Reid is a faithful Latter-day Saint as well and everything I have said about Romney and his faith also apply to the highest ranking Democrat in the Senate.
According to all of you we
According to all of you we are either going to elect a crook or a fool
In the case of an Obama re-election, hein1ric...
...both!
I am sure the resident lefters
will ignore your comment totally, gazelam.
Forget taxes and church contributions; it's the 800,000
Ohio jobs that are tied to the auto industry. 65% of Ohioans now say that the GM and Chrysler bailouts were a good idea.
A million Ohio absentee ballots in the mail this week.
The Euro golfers managed a comeback. Maybe Romney can do the same, but he doesn't have many good ball strikers on his team.
I'm still trying to figure
I'm still trying to figure out how God lives on the planet Kolob... Still scratching my head...
Who cares, mav...
...do you remember the "there shall be no religious test" clause? Romney's personal religious beliefs are irrelevant to me, all I care about is whether he can do a better job than Obama, and at this point, I'm thinking a toadstool could do a better job.
Oh, what a surprise, Rolf...
...a state that is sucking the rest of the country dry is happy with their booty! No doubt they are already lining up for another boatload of dough now that GM is facing bankruptcy...AGAIN.
Or even
a stool sample could, muehl.
It actually means allot
It actually means allot Muehl, it reveals more about how a grown man could be duped so easily into believing such whimsical nonsense. And you want a guy who can be duped that easily in control of the button?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip4qQnz2fFo
OH NO, HE'S BACK
Hey snowdie and southda or is it snowda and southie, and the rest of the lefters. I see old FNB is holding his own over the weekend. I feel bad leaving him with you vultures all by himself over the weekend. Had a good vacation to Bemidji and Itasca State Park over the last four days. Sorry FNB. You know something funny happened as I was typing this post and I mispelled a word. It came out SNOWSIE instead of snowdie. I kind of like SNOWSIE. It fits better. (nosey-ya think) ????
My comment on your dumbest post of the week
This is the most ill-informed post on Romney and Mormonism I have seen for a long time. If you don't want to embarrass yourself again, try a little fact-checking next time. Ask me. I am a Mormon and a Democrat, and I will be voting for Obama in the next election, but the ignorance exhibited in this post is embarrassing to the cause.
"Using round numbers, he collected $14 million, paid $2 million taxes, and gave $4 million to the Mormons, or about twice what he gave to his country." ** Congratulations. You can do elementary arithmetic.
"(He gave the money to a church, not to God.)" ** Of course he gave money to a church. He never claimed otherwise. But giving money to the LDS church IS giving money to God.
"So the question asks itself, is he twice as dedicated to his church as his country?" ** Since taxes are not a voluntary donation, the amounts tell us nothing about his dedication to causes. How much did YOU donate to the US government beyond your assessed taxes? Does this prove that you don't care a whit about this country?
"He’s a high ranking bishop in the Mormon church." ** There is no such thing as a "high-ranking bishop." Get your facts straight. There are bishops who administer, unpaid, to a congregation of about 500 members for a period of about five years, after which they are released. Romney was actually a stake president as well, an office which administers from 5 to 10 congregations. But he has been released from both assignments and now has no official standing in the LDS church administration at all. Is that clear? None.
"How much say or influence does he wield in how his $4 million contribution is spent?" ** None. The money goes to his bishop who sends it to church headquarters, where it is used for the operation of the church throughout the world.
"Can he direct this money somehow for his own benefit?" ** No.
See how easy it is to check a few facts?