Dennis RomeroMitt Romney embodies his party's utter hypocrisy when it comes to all things governmental: Tax subsidies for the rich, but a distaste for “big government,” opposition to universal heath care, which Romney spearheaded in his own state, and criticism of economic “stimulus,” even though President George W. Bush was one of the biggest proponents of a Wall Street bailout:
But all that pales in comparison to Romney's stance on immigration. He's against the kind of decriminalization recently enacted by President Obama for undocumenteds who were brought here by no means of their own as children and who know no country other than America.
But, at the same time, he says “freedom” is what Latinos need to help get back on economic track. Come again?
Romney told the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting in Los Angeles today that “freedom” would solve all of Americas problems:
My plan is premised on the conviction that it is freedom that drives our economy-that free people, creating free enterprises, is what creates good jobs with good wages. Government supports the job creators, but it cannot take their place.
That's awesome, Mitt. So we're in agreement, then, that the undocumented should have the “freedom” to work for sub-minimum wage, to have their cars impounded because they can't get drivers licenses in California and other states, and to pick our lettuce under the constant threat of arrest.
But before you get up off the floor and rub your tummy from all that laughter, consider that Romney told the L.A. crowd today that he, too, is a product of immigration:
I've spoken often about how proud I am of my father. He was born to American parents living in Mexico. When he was 5, they left everything behind, and started over in the United States.
My dad grew up poor. But he believed in a country where the circumstances of one's birth were not a barrier to achievement — a place where hard work could turn dreams into realities. He went from selling paint out of the trunk of his car to becoming the leader of a great car company and the governor of a great state.
My wife Ann's father was a first-generation immigrant. He ended up founding a successful manufacturing company that made components and equipment for ships in the United States Navy.
Credit: Obama Truth Team / Facebook
So, um, Big Government contracting helped raise your wife, Mitt? She doesn't sound like your kind of voter.
Mother Jones today revealed video of what it says was a secret Romney speech to millionaire donors. In it, he reportedly says:
… There are 47 percent who are with him [Obama], who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax.
He said, of course, those aren't his people.
But Latinos? Hell yes. He's Mexican.
[Added at 4:55 p.m.]: This only gets better. Video from the same secret fundraiser apparently has Romney also saying that he'd win this election handily if only he were Mexican by blood. The Huffington Post quotes him as saying that if he were …
… born of Mexican parents, I'd have a better shot at winning this.
… I mean, I say that jokingly … but it would be helpful to be Latino.
Because corporate raiders never get any breaks in this country. Why do Mexicans have all the fun? 🙁
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