This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I am disturbed by Gov. Mitt Romney's statement that the 47 percent of people who don't pay income tax "believe that they are victims," have a sense of entitlement and are dependent on government ("Romney: 47% of Americans 'believe they are victims,' 'dependant on government,'" Tribune, Sept. 18). His remarks are belittling and offensive.
Many of these people are hardworking middle-class wage earners struggling to make ends meet who would be happy to pay income tax if they had the income to afford it. They struggle just to meet their everyday bills and responsibilities. As the saying goes, you can't squeeze blood from a turnip.
I am a staunch Democrat, and most of my Latter-day Saint friends are Republicans who support Romney. Many have large families and modest incomes, so they pay no federal income tax. Is Romney talking about them?
I hope the many working-class Utahns who provide unquestioned support of Romney will now recognize that this man has disdain for those who aren't of the moneyed class and that he will never represent their concerns if he is elected.
Robert J. Plachta
Salt Lake City