I originally found this story through a blog in Maine: Mike Tipping at Bangor Daily.
The quote is stunning, both for how ridiculous it is on its face as well as how closely it mirrors a comment made by 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who also took aim at 47% of the population (those he said were victims, dependent on government and therefore voting for his opponent) in a leaked video that did significant damage to his campaign.
Just to be absolutely clear, LePage’s statistic is completely wrong. Currently, around 65% of Mainers over the age of 15 are working or are unemployed and actively seeking work. Of the remaining 35%, almost all are retired, are caring for children or other family members, are pursuing education or training or have a disability that prevents them from working. Only a tiny fraction aren’t working for other reasons. The conservative Heritage Foundation, using U.S. Census data, puts this number at 1.1% nationally.
Maine is known for our strong Yankee work ethic and we have a higher labor force participation rate than the rest of the country, despite our more elderly population. We work harder, longer and often in more dangerous occupations than people almost anywhere else.
We deserve a Governor who is proud of Maine, doesn’t falsely believe that half the people he was elected to serve are lazy and useless and doesn’t govern as if this were true.
The short version of the quote is available here:
Youtube
Let's remember that this guy is calling upon his experience as a manager for an Antiques firm. That's not exactly cutting edge technology for the next generation of workers.
Picture related: Work Experience
My question to you is this: Where did this rhetoric of the 47% originate? Do you think he got the idea from Romney? Or is this is personal?
Good luck everyone--and hold out for that sea of blue on the horizon!