Editor:

Have you ever needed government assistance? This “assistance” could come in the form of public education, student loans, the GI Bill, Social Security survivors benefits, the federal highways and bridges on which we drive, the security we enjoy that protects citizens from foreign and domestic terrorism.

Do you consider yourself irresponsible or a “victim?” Are you part of the constituency that Gov. Romney feels does not “take personal responsibility and care for their lives?”

From Gov. Romney’s lofty perch at the top of the class structure, those of the middle class who struggle to keep health insurance for themselves and their children, use government aid to go to community colleges or require a little assistance at some point in their lives are considered moochers.

“Redistribution” has become a hated word, but in reality, we are all beneficiaries of some sort of government redistribution, that combined with our own hard work and effort, we use to become self sufficient. Gov. Romney is, in fact, a beneficiary of government assistance from a tax code (coincidentally passed by his own party) that favors investment income over labor income, the reason that Romney pays lower than a 14 percent effective income tax while middle class families pay at much higher tax rates.

If Americans feel betrayed by their government, this inequity of the tax system must be a huge part of this betrayal. Make no mistake, we are a wealthy nation; we work hard and Gov. Romney enjoys riches made possible in large part by the efforts of the 47 percent he so disdains.

President Obama recognizes that strengthening our economy is only possible when there is a strong middle class. President Obama is working for US, the middle class, to correct our tax system and that is one reason why I am supporting his re-election.

Susan Spille

Greenville