WTF? Mitt Romney Says We Must Only Speak of Income Inequality in ‘Quiet Rooms’

[kpete]

Mitt Romney Says We Must Only Speak of Income Inequality in ‘Quiet Rooms’

What Romney is saying is, maybe we can debate income inequality and the abuses of Wall Street, if you insist on it, but it’s nothing to get upset about. This is not a gaffe, really, just a particularly stark reflection of Romney’s true beliefs as he’s repeatedly expressed them.


To sum up, for the video impaired: Romney thinks gripes about income inequality reflect nothing but envy, and that such topics should only be discussed in "quiet rooms." What Romney is saying is, maybe we can debate income inequality and the abuses of Wall Street, if you insist on it, but it's nothing to get upset about.
Video & more:
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/01/romney-quiet-rooms.html

**********

partial transcript:

ROMNEY: You know, I think it’s about envy. I think it’s about class warfare. When you have a president encouraging the idea of dividing America based on the 99 percent versus one percent — and those people who have been most successful will be in the one percent — you have opened up a whole new wave of approach in this country which is entirely inconsistent with the concept of one nation under God. The American people, I believe in the final analysis, will reject it.

LAUER: Yeah but envy? Are there no fair questions about the distribution of wealth without it being seen as ‘envy,’ though?

ROMNEY: I think it’s fine to talk about those things in quiet rooms and discussions about tax policy and the like. But the president has made it part of his campaign rally. Everywhere he goes we hear him talking about millionaires and billionaires and executives and Wall Street. It’s a very envy-oriented, attack-oriented approach and I think it will fail.

MORE:
http://thinkprogress.org/progress-report/mitt-romney-tells-the-99-to-stop-being-jealous-quiet-down/

[liberal N proud]

1. shhhh

[denem]

42. Mitt needs a quiet room with padding.

[FarLeftFist]

2. Like the quiet rooms he used to ruin peoples lives.

[ejpoeta]

3. and since only rich people can afford a 'quiet room' then

i guess we won't be discussing it/

[Politicalboi]

4. Yes as Elmer Fudd once said

"Be Berry Berry Qwyite".

[baldguy]

5. You know what this means?

It means it should be shouted from the rooftops & discussed every day with everyone you meet.

[Zalatix]

6. He knows America won't do jack shiznit about it

As soon as we show the Plutocrats our displeasure

HEY LOOK IT'S THE EVIL BLACK LESBIAN MUSLIM NAZI COMMUNIST!!!

(wait a second, she can't be a lesbian, Muslim, a Nazi, and a communist...)

WHO CARES!!! THE EVIL BLACK LESBIAN MUSLIM NAZIS ARE COMING TO BRING COMMUNISM TO THE USA!!! We gotta outsource more jobs and send out more troops to NaziMuslimCommunistan to stop teh terror!!! GO USA!!!

[whathehell]

40. I disagree with your certainty on that...

I think America just MIGHT "do something about it" if the populace gets pissed off enough.

Lots of people didn't think America would do anything about income inequality before

FDR came along either.

[Missy Vixen]

7. What the hell?

I can hardly wait to hear what Romney defines as a "quiet room". Uh, Romney, the last time I looked, the thoughts, opinions, and experiences of those who have been devastated by this economy are protected by the First Amendment. Maybe he believes we just can't "afford" that anymore.

One more thing, you pasty-faced weasel: I don't envy you OR your income. You have NO soul. You have no compassion, caring, scruples, or the necessary intelligence to be someone I would find worthy of envy. Your money is a millstone around your neck, especially when one thinks of the unspeakable things YOU did to others to get it.

[starroute]

8. I could only find a couple of definitions -- and I don't think he meant either

One is a place where external sound is excluded for purposes of testing acoustic devices. The other is this:

http://www.salescreators.com/Section4/betterWkPlace.html

It may seem next to impossible to find time to relieve stress at work, but a few well-spent minutes at regularly scheduled breaks can dramatically increase your productivity, work enjoyment and overall health. Some companies offer a 'quiet room' where employees are allowed to remove themselves from their work area and take time to relax and refocus. Many quiet rooms are furnished with mood lighting, quiet music or sounds of nature playing to help the employee to relax. Comfortable floor pads or massage recliners are nice amenities that encourage a brief period of meditation or quiet time. Some companies provide a walking path for their staff and workers to get outside and benefit from a calm work out in nature. Picnic and break areas, and walking areas with flowers and shrubs are wonderful benefits for enjoyment.

[kpete]

9. "flowers and shrubs"

would add such a nice touch

peace, kpete

[SunSeeker]

28. Great response to his "envy" line!

I feel the exact same way, Missy Vixen. I don't envy that psychopath. Can't stand the sight of him, yes. Envy him, no.

[Sugarcoated]

30. Mega awesome post!111

I'm going to steal some of that : )

[CatholicEdHead]

53. I think of it as a old time Smokers Room

where the elite would sit around, drink brandy and have a smoke in their smoking jacket. It is probably updated from my 1800's view of it but the concept still exists. Today it would be some room with guys in striped suits with cigars and brandy sit and talk about all the worldly matters, some to some philosophical conclusion and then dismiss it with their logic, laugh and then talk about their polo skills.

[Bake]

10. This is what happens when Mitt doesn't have a script or a teleprompter.

Mitt's true "thoughts" come out for all the nation to see.

Bake

[wiggs]

11. That was AMAZING....and the potential importance of that exchange

cannot be overestimated. Dems should seize on this as a meme that this is typical of the current republican leader.

This is a gift. An unbelievable glimpse into the thought processes of the republican establishment. Income inequality...one of the top issues of our time....should only be discussed in quiet rooms and is the result of envy.

I can't believe he said this!!!?

[CAG]

12. the haves always love to tell the have nots that everything is fine the way it is...wonder why that

is....

[dimbear]

13. If you're sleeping under a bridge tonight, don't bother because of the traffic noise.

You're all heart, Mitt.

[yellowcanine]

14. Mr. Romney, where are these quiet rooms of which you speak so we can go there.

Because we want to talk about this even if you don't.

[FarLeftFist]

15. More like Flip Flopney!

[JJW]

16. Willard is right!

We wouldn't want the top 1% to bother their pretty little minds about such things as children starving in America.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

17. Quiet rooms..... like mortuaries

Scuttling across the floors of silent seas

[CTyankee]

33. with ragged claws no less...

[Matariki]

18. I think we should be prepared for this bullshit "class warfare" meme to be a major 2012 issue

Whether we like it or not. I think the Democrats had better get to work on turning it around to our advantage and using it against the Republicans.

[monmouth]

19. The "upper classes" find open discussions about money, personal finances, to be "off-putting." One

should neither discuss money or religion in public, it's distasteful and considered tacky.

[quinnox]

20. Quiet rooms so the top dogs in the uppermost echelons don't have to hear about it

Sorry Willard, we are just getting started. Occupy WS is your nightmare.

[Quantess]

21. How very patronizing!

We little people don't need to know what is said in quiet rooms about income inequality, eh?

[Glimmer of Hope]

37. That is my reaction too. I'll talk about it if I want!

[jwirr]

22. My guess is that he means without emotion. As a philosophical issue that really doesn't matter. And

to him it doesn't.

[spanone]

23. yep, so the 'little people' who, you know, just cause trouble, don't hear how we're screwing them

envy my fucking ass

[Quantess]

38. Exactly. Sssshhh!

Shush! We don't let the peasants in on this conversation.

What an asshole. A guy like that should NOT be allowed to make policy or laws at all, period.

[librechik]

24. He meant "Behind Closed Doors"

It doesn't sound so honest when you put it like that.

[HangOnKids]

26. Winner Winner!

By "quiet" he meant SECRET. He said exactly what he meant he just selected the wrong adjective.

[WI_DEM]

25. they got to make ads of all of this kind of stuff and use against him.

[bullwinkle428]

27. I have to give him credit - I wasn't quite sure if anyone was capable of energizing

the liberal base in a really strong way this election season, but this scummy bastard is making it easy!

[XemaSab]

29. How about you and Buffy

come around to the club on Friday and we'll have a drink and chat about it, right?

[Sugarcoated]

31. We're running against the 1 percent guy

A younger version of poppy Bush

[hfojvt]

32. "and all because a few starry eyed dreamers like Peter Bailey"

"stir them up and fill their heads with a lot of impossible ideas ..."

George Bailey: "Most people say you stole all the rest ..."

Mr. Potter: "the envious ones say that, George, the suckers"


Yes, why how dare anyone notice that Mr. Potter's got control of the bank, he's got the buslines, he's got the department stores and now he's after us and he wants to keep you living in his slums and paying the kind of rent that he decides. No George, hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry ...

[cstanleytech]

34. I agree with mitt, its all about the envy and I do envy the 1%

because unlike me they dont have to worry about how to pay the mortgage and the electric bill and also I envy them the ability not to worry about if they are going to either pay for food to eat that week or medicines.

[hfojvt]

48. you might as well envy me too then

and I am a member of the bottom 20%.

Although because I foolishly took a promotion I now have to worry about keeping my job.

[cstanleytech]

51. "I now have to worry about keeping my job" At my level we get that for free.

[aquart]

35. I wonder how long it took his staff to explain to him

that "quiet rooms" are right up there with $10,000 bets.

[kentuck]

36. "tax policy and the like..."

"like" what else?

Democracy in action. Yeah, we need a CEO for President like we need another hole in the head...

[JoePhilly]

39. I like how we worked GOD into his description of ENVY.

Apparently God loves the super rich more than he does the 99%.

[whathehell]

41. Of course...A quiet room without the 99% involved in the discussion.

[Smilo]

43. So is a quiet room the same as

a padded room and all us supposedly envious people should be admitted to institutions?

I looked at other blogs and am amazed at how many GOPT'rs agree with him.

I would like to be comfortable - to me that is knowing I have money to cover my bills, a little "fun" money and my retirement is covered. When I look at those who have millions and billions - I wonder how much more do they need - not want, but need.

Gluttony really is a sin of the uber-wealthy.

[Arugula Latte]

44. Arrogant condescending bastard

Let's dust off the guillotine, shall we?

[JJW]

45. How about we put Willard in a padded cell

Then he can talk all he wants.

[Fearless]

46. Say one thing and do the hush hush secret other.

Sounds like Mittens alright!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

47. Yikes

Can anyone be more out of touch?

[kentuck]

49. Romney crosses his legs and laughs...

... with his face a little red, "Well, let me explain. You have it wrong. Let me talk. It's my time. It's my money. It's my fucking world!"

[Arkana]

50. The DNC should be writing Romney mash notes

for all the delicious, juicy attack ads he's writing for them.

[ProSense]

52. Seriously,

"Mitt Romney Says We Must Only Speak of Income Inequality in ‘Quiet Rooms’"

...Romney belongs in a rubber room if he thinks income inequality can be kept a secret.