‘I’m Not Concerned About The Very Poor’ says Mitt Romney

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is once again in the news, this time for saying that he is not concerned about the poor.

“I’m in this race because I care about Americans. I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it,” Romney said further adding “I’m not concerned about the very rich, they’re doing just fine. I’m concerned about the very heart of the America, the 90 percent, 95 percent of Americans who right now are struggling.”

Since then, Romney has been busy replying to questions on his apparent lack of concern for the poor. However Romney clarified that while the rich do not need concern and the poor are taken care of by the state’s safety net, it is the middle class Americans that he is focusing on, contrary to the Democrats focus on the poor. This corresponds with his consistent views on the Obamacare health care law.

Citing food stamps, housing vouchers and Medicaid as examples of the safety net for the poor, Romney admitted that there were holes in these safety measures which needed to be plugged.

However Romney’s assurance of the safety net may be premature as the Medicaid budget is likely to face some cuts as states try to balance their budgets. Food stamps may also come under the hammer despite rising food prices. To make matters worse, while Medicaid and food stamps may have to do with a lower budget, more and more people are currently in need of this program in the face of increasing recession.

Romney’s own policies are looking to restructure the social safety net with a five percent cut. He is also advocating a block grant program for Medicaid while also talking of curtailing spends at 20% of GDP. But this is not all. There is also talk of additional cuts to reign in government spending.

Mitt Romney who is also the former founder of Bain Capital with assets over $200 million has come under attack by his competitors for being disconnected with the economic reality and for his infamous comments. For instance in October, Romney supported foreclosures in Las Vegas with a hard hitting statement “Don’t try and stop the foreclosure process. Let it run its course and hit the bottom,” In yet another unpopular comment in January Romney said ”I like being able to fire people who provide services to me”.

In turn, Andrea Saul, Romney’s spokeperson spoke against President Obama’s policies that have led to a slow economy, rising unemployment and increasing poverty and has expressed eagerness to debate on the issue with the President.