I was a "moocher" for about 6 years.
Dear Mr. Romney,
I am sorry. I am a moocher. I did not intend to be. I come from a hard working family. My grandfather was a coal miner who fought against the company store. My other grandfather was a rancher with a small Italian butcher shop. He had to go into hiding during the Ludlow Massacre (it happened right by our ranch) because he was sneaking food into the mining camps at night. Anyway, my paternal grandfather went into the mines at age 13 because he had 4 siblings and his father was paralyzed in a coal mine. He preached education and public service. I grew up with a work ethic that was pretty pronounced.
Of the six kids all served the public. My uncles and aunts were a Marine Colonel, RN, school teacher, Sister of Charity, and Social Worker. My father and mother were school teachers. When I was young, I had two college educated parents and we qualified for food stamps, but my dad was too proud to take them. Instead, he coached at night and worked at the sawmill during the summers.
My sister is a school teacher. I wanted to serve, but I could not because I had severe asthma as a child. So, I became a scientist and worked for the Department of Defense. I never got a Pell Grant, nor did I take out loans (at least during undergraduate school).
I got married to a woman with two children. I raised them as my own. I paid their way for everything. Even though their own father (who is a staunch Republican) mostly refused to pay child support, I claimed them on my taxes so they never received any extra benefits. However, I am sorry to say, that at one point, we had three kids of daycare age. Due to the cost of daycare, my wife stayed home and took care of the kids. During those six years, I paid NO federal income taxes. For that, I am sorry. I never meant to be a mooch, but I guess we are. The worst part is that I have to look at my kids and know I made them mooches too. I hope God is merciful on Judgement Day as they should not have to inherit this sin of their father.
I will say that today, my wife and I are both working, and you will be happy to know that we paid an effective tax rate about 10% higher than yours last year (that has to count for something, right?). I also relocated for another government job and lost $100,000 due to the housing crash. I know you spend that on vet bills for your horse, but it is an awful lot of money for me, and I am trying to get out of the hole it left me in. I know it probably pales in comparison to you and Ann having to sell stock and all when you were starting out, but it still stings a little you know? I hope that makes you feel a little better. Your banking buddies kind of got it back in the end after all.
Apologies,
The Mooch
= new reply since forum marked as read
Alanon for moochers....
