If Romney paid no Taxes...

[cthulu2016]

Americans take it as a given that the rich don't pay taxes. We are cynical and blase about that.

If Romney had years of 0% taxes, however, it would render his entire political/economic argument (presumably the basis of his candidacy) incoherent and impossible to make.

How could a rich man who pays no taxes argue that the rich need tax cuts?

And how could a rich man who pays no taxes argue that the poor need to pay higher taxes?

(Imagine the debate zingers)

[Blue Meany]

1. The same way a man who is born into wealth can say he made it on his

own: self-delusion, obliviousness to privilege, and/or out-and-out lying. Of course, rich people always create rationales to justify their wealth (God's will, hard work, etc.). But only in America to large numbers of working people buy into their myths.

[Xyzse]

2. They would explain that:

They pay their fair share of taxes, that he just found ways to allocate his wealth and earnings to make sure that his rates are significantly lower.

They would cite the costs of opening and transferring funds to off shore accounts and so forth.
As well as how he hires people to be able to account losses in his American accounts while profit is Offshore.