Thurston Howell Romney  —  In 1980, about 30 percent of Americans received some form of government benefits.  Today, as Nicholas Eberstadt of the American Enterprise Institute has pointed out, about 49 percent do.  —  In 1960, government transfers to individuals totaled $24 billion.

A Note on Romney's Arrogant and Stupid Remarks  —  So we have in 2012 two presidential candidates who—when they thought they were speaking privately to their fellow 1 percenters—have shown contempt for fellow Americans.  —  Here's Barack Obama, on April 6, 2008, in San Francisco:

SECRET VIDEO: Romney Tells Millionaire Donors What He REALLY Thinks of Obama Voters  —  When he doesn't know a camera's rolling, the GOP candidate shows his disdain for half of America.  —  During a private fundraiser earlier this year, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told …

Mitt's Gettysburg Moment  —  Mitt Romney found himself in an unexpected place last night — in the public eye.  He ought to make the most of it.  —  Milk-Carton Mitt's surprise turn upon the stage — did you know he was running for president? — came courtesy of the currently unemployed …

How Jimmy Carter's Grandson Helped Leak the Secret Romney Fund-raiser Video  —  The damning video of Mitt Romney telling a room of wealthy donors how he really feels about the free-loading 47 percent of Americans “who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing …

Today, Mitt Romney Lost the Election  —  You can mark my prediction now: A secret recording from a closed-door Mitt Romney fundraiser, released today by David Corn at Mother Jones, has killed Mitt Romney's campaign for president.  —  On the tape, Romney explains that his electoral strategy …

Romney's theory of the “taker class,” and why it matters  —  “My job is not to worry about those people,” Mitt Romney said of the 47 percent of Americans who are likely to vote for Barack Obama.  “I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

Romney “47 Percent” Fundraiser Host: Hedge Fund Manager Who Likes Sex Parties  —  When Mitt Romney at a private fundraiser dismissed all Barack Obama voters as moochers and victims—showing disdain for nearly half of the American electorate—he was speaking at the home of controversial private …

The Real Romney Captured on Tape Turns Out to Be a Sneering Plutocrat  —  Presidential campaigns wallow so tediously in pseudo-events and manufactured outrage that our senses can be numbed to the appearance of something genuinely momentous.  Mitt Romney's secretly recorded comments …

Video: Republican Mitt Romney lambastes 2-state solution  —  US Republican presidential candidate filmed at fundraising dinner saying Palestinians “have no interest whatsoever in establishing peace,” adding Iran would use nuclear capability to blackmail US.  —  US Republican presidential …

The Right Is Wrong to Pin Obama's Edge on Welfare State  —  A lot of conservatives are puzzled that polls show the presidential election is even close, let alone that most show Barack Obama ahead.  So convinced are they that Obama has failed that they think he ought to be out of the running.

Makers, Takers, Taxpayers, Etc.  —  A great deal of ink has already been spilled over Mitt Romney's remarks at a fundraiser concerning the 47% of Americans who are dependent on government and who do not pay federal income taxes.  A few thoughts immediately come to mind: