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trailmonkee

(2,681 posts)
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:00 AM Sep 2012

Romney says middle income between $200K and $250K

Last edited Fri Sep 14, 2012, 02:21 PM - Edit history (2)

Source: Huffington Post

BOSTON — Mitt Romney is promising to reduce taxes on middle-income Americans.

But how does he define "middle-income"? The Republican presidential nominee defined it as income of $200,000 to $250,000 a year.

Romney commented during an interview broadcast Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

The Census Bureau reported this week that the median household income – the midpoint for the nation – is just over $50,000.

The definition of "middle income" or the "middle class" is politically charged. Both presidential candidates are fighting to win over working-class voters.

President Barack Obama has defined "middle class" as income up to $250,000 a year.

Obama wants to extend Bush-era tax cuts for those making less than $250,000. Romney wants to extend the tax cuts for everyone.


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120914/us-romney/



It is important to note that Obama, a while back, actually said he thought middle class was up to $250k. I remember President Obama got some flack back then, but at least he said 'up to', meaning something like 40k-250k, which is mostly correct. Romney however says it is between 200-250k and less, which is not much different, but it will be heard differently by the public... basically as another 'out of touch' comment.

Romney just had the great misfortune of announcing his definition right smack in the final stretch election cycle.

Here are some older #'s, I think these are from 2007, which would probably be about the same today considering the recession and growth rates, etc.

The way the new york times defines it.
Here's one possible way of defining it (by percentiles):
Bottom 20% lower class: $0-18,500
lower middle class: $18,500-$34,738
middle class: $34,738-$55,331
upper middle class: $55,331-$88,030
upper class: $88,030+
noting that richest 5% make anything over $157,176

if someone has more current #'s please post - Thanks
34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Romney says middle income between $200K and $250K (Original Post) trailmonkee Sep 2012 OP
Disgusting! dotymed Sep 2012 #1
Talking about out of touch! qanda Sep 2012 #2
Keep it coming Mittwit goclark Sep 2012 #3
man! heaven05 Sep 2012 #4
Given that Mitt is worth $250M (probably much more) vlyons Sep 2012 #5
Proving once again how out of touch he is with most Americans. drm604 Sep 2012 #6
And what country does this asshole live in? jsr Sep 2012 #7
Only $250,000 per year? Quantess Sep 2012 #8
Wow! I must be barely above the poverty line then!! Roland99 Sep 2012 #9
how I wish it were true...what planet is he from ? april Sep 2012 #10
It may be the middle if going by mean rather than median. 4th law of robotics Sep 2012 #11
The mean is still a long way off from 250000 daleo Sep 2012 #33
This explains a lot! To Romney's wealth $200,000 is lower middle class. diabeticman Sep 2012 #12
That is what they spend on the car elevators for their mansions. olegramps Sep 2012 #16
Well Fine Then lobodons Sep 2012 #13
Does that mean I'll qualify for food stamps? tandot Sep 2012 #14
Democrats really have no need to campaign anymore bigworld Sep 2012 #15
Our mailbox just threw up DemKittyNC Sep 2012 #17
this story MUST go viral!!! Douglas Carpenter Sep 2012 #18
it probably will but with the weekend coming up, that will mute the effects. Roland99 Sep 2012 #26
Show us your 1040s, otherwise just please fuck off with your promises. DippyDem Sep 2012 #19
Are those numbers for a houshold ie 2 income earners? bamacrat Sep 2012 #20
Yes, it's household income TexasBushwhacker Sep 2012 #31
Mitt we exist too. KANTANA Sep 2012 #21
Oh, he's very aware of us! We're called "The Help." Arugula Latte Sep 2012 #24
The GOP powers that be must be collectively LibertyLover Sep 2012 #22
That's it. He's the Douche of the Century. Arugula Latte Sep 2012 #23
Robot opens mouth and spews out more out of touch insanity. sarcasmo Sep 2012 #25
Time for me to get food stamps mojo2012 Sep 2012 #27
Kick! n/t Tx4obama Sep 2012 #28
From the article: tjl148 Sep 2012 #29
I think that's pretty correct. harmonicon Sep 2012 #30
K & R and keep it K & R'd! lonestarnot Sep 2012 #32
So the top 4% is the middle? Incitatus Sep 2012 #34

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
5. Given that Mitt is worth $250M (probably much more)
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:23 AM
Sep 2012

and that he makes about $20M/yr on investments, I'm surprised that he doesn't think that $10M/yr is median income. Now we know why he recommends that middle class kids just get their college loans from their parents.

Quantess

(27,630 posts)
8. Only $250,000 per year?
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:25 AM
Sep 2012

That is meager living by Romney standards.
Poor dears. How do they get by?

Seriously though, I doubt Romney cares all that much about giving them a break, because they are not quite rich enough. You have to make a lot more money than that to get on Romney's tax-cut gravy train.

Roland99

(53,342 posts)
9. Wow! I must be barely above the poverty line then!!
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:25 AM
Sep 2012

and I'm about to be earning nearly 6 digits in a couple of weeks.


What a dumbass!

daleo

(21,317 posts)
33. The mean is still a long way off from 250000
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 12:18 AM
Sep 2012

If the mean family income was 250000, the per capita GDP would be north of 100 grand or so. I think it is more like 40000. That is just a rough ballpark estimate.

diabeticman

(3,121 posts)
12. This explains a lot! To Romney's wealth $200,000 is lower middle class.
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:28 AM
Sep 2012

This guy can't even imagine what "REAL" middle class family goes through. I would love to take Romney and Queen Ann to an average home give them $60,000.00 and tell them live on this for a year. They probably couldn't do it. They wouldn't have the mental tools to handle it.

 

lobodons

(1,290 posts)
13. Well Fine Then
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:28 AM
Sep 2012

Well fine then. According to Romney's own definition of Middle Class, Obama wants to give 100% of Middle Class a Tax Cut and will only Tax the "Upper Class" on revenue over $250k (Even they will not be taxed on their first 250K)

DemKittyNC

(743 posts)
17. Our mailbox just threw up
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:39 AM
Sep 2012

I just went out to get the mail and all that was in there was two brochures from Rmoney/Lyin stating how Obama lied about taking care of our military and troops and gave a huge list of 'lies' that Obama has supposedly told. I couldn't even read the whole list it was nauseating. Nothing on the brochures about how they will make things better at all. God I hate these bastards!

bamacrat

(3,867 posts)
20. Are those numbers for a houshold ie 2 income earners?
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:51 AM
Sep 2012

If so damn. Upper class!!! My wife and I combined make between $110-$120K/year, but I would hardly define us as upper class. RMoney is so out of touch with real people. It saddens me that families have to struggle to get by and work their ass off but some people do nothing but rake in tons of money for nothing.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,190 posts)
31. Yes, it's household income
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 12:09 AM
Sep 2012

but I know that your standard of living can be vastly different depending on where you live. Make $120K in Houston and you'll be quite comfortable. Make $120K in Manhattan and you'll be living in a 2 bedroom apartment.

KANTANA

(32 posts)
21. Mitt we exist too.
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 12:56 PM
Sep 2012

It must be really hard for Mitt to understand that there are people who make less than $200,000 a year. He has never known any such people all his life. I completely understand where Mitt is coming from and I am sympathetic.

LibertyLover

(4,788 posts)
22. The GOP powers that be must be collectively
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 01:10 PM
Sep 2012

shivering in their shoes anytime Mitt the Lackwit opens his mouth. I hope that this information gets spread far and wide. What an idiot.

mojo2012

(290 posts)
27. Time for me to get food stamps
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 05:57 PM
Sep 2012

So what does Romney say where people fall if their income is less than $200,000? Poor? Poverty?

Since Romney is fortunate to be able to spend that much every week or month, he has no sense about the average family income. We are no more important than his landscapers, housekeepers, or chefs. We are just ignorant, unedcuated, and simply just not in his league or part of the elite circle

tjl148

(185 posts)
29. From the article:
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:50 PM
Sep 2012

"It is important to note that Obama, a while back, actually said he thought middle class was up to $250k. I remember President Obama got some flack back then, but at least he said 'up to', meaning something like 40k-250k, which is mostly correct. Romney however says it is between 200-250k and less, which is not much different...."
So according to this article there is "not much" difference between Obama and Romney on the number. Move along, there is nothing to see here.

harmonicon

(12,008 posts)
30. I think that's pretty correct.
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 11:51 PM
Sep 2012

Median income is rarely middle class. The fact that a vast percentage of the poor and working class in the US are convinced that they are middle class is the greatest victory the wealthy elite could ever win.

If you've got one million people who make a dollar a day, one guy who makes a million dollars a day, and another who makes two dollars a day does not mean that the guy making two dollars a day is middle class.

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