DEAR EDITOR:
In response to the letter published Sept. 23 by Joseph Flask Jr., I believe he misconstrued the concept of my letter. When Romney started on his campaign trail, he started out by bragging about all he owned. He told us how rich he is and what and how many cars he drives, how many Cadillacs his wife has and what a shrewd businessman he is. He was told by his advisers to tone down the bragging and try to identify more with the middle class.
First of all, not everyone who makes it to the nomination or even the presidency is mega-rich. Obama wasn't and neither was Lincoln. I agree with Mr. Flask when he stated that as Americans we should look at the candidate for what he or she stands. Being rich is a characteristic; how one becomes rich is a reflection on one's character.
I'm not against people making a fortune. There are different ways people become rich. Some people work very hard, save their money and invest wisely. Some win the lottery. Some start ponsi schemes and lie to steal from their friends and the investing public. Then there are shrewd businessmen who, figuratively speaking, break the backs and step on the toes of the working class by closing plants and factories, making hundreds of millions of dollars doing so and sending jobs overseas and to Mexico. They are called corporate raiders. This leaves thousands of people without a livelihood and the need for assistance to feed their families. We all know how Romney feels about people needing assistance.
According to Anne Romney's speech at the Republican Convention, she stated she had to use an ironing board as a dining table. Then she and Mitt had to sell their stock. I doubt very much if a poor person who is down and out has stock they could sell. I doubt if a lot of poor people know what a stock certificate looks like or they wouldn't be living in tent cities, in their cars, under bridges and in shelters. Because of the Great Recession, which started in the previous administration, there are many people who are the new poor who were once the middle class.
Vote for the candidate who has heart-felt empathy for the less fortunate and who doesn't turn his nose down on those who need assistance in feeding a family. Vote for the candidate who is trying to bring back the strength of the middle class and doesn't begrudge giving a helping hand to those in need. Vote for the one who says the millionaires should pay their share of taxes. Vote for the candidate who doesn't believe in the trickle-down effect which was proven doesn't work.
Not all millionaires are entrepreneurs who create jobs for the little guys. It would be wonderful if the mega-rich would open factories and give the people decent jobs with decent pay. Instead the rich get richer with investments, and the poor get poorer.
Joan Bernard
Warren