“I have also included my picture, not just because I’m cute, but because I wanted to give you a face of one of the 47% to share with Mr. Romney.”
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I don’t see a problem with it. The woman wrote with expectations of her story being used. I don’t see all who have Down’s Syndrome as completely helpless and unthinking. I disagree with the young woman’s politics but I am proud of her for making an effort to be involved. Many gifted with more, don’t.
From Jeryl Bier, the blogger who is the original source of this news article:
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“Is the Obama campaign just publishing this letter because it is an inspiring story of someone doing the best they can? No. I left out the title of the blog post (Brittany: “A face of one of the 47%”) and one line from the first paragraph of the letter: “ I am one of the 47% of Americans who fall under Mitt Romney’s definition of ‘entitled’ and ‘unable to take responsibility for my life.’”
Leave aside that this woman’s story is the antithesis of what Mitt Romney was trying to get at in his remarks that were admittedly open to distortion. Leave aside that Romney and his family have personally helped many individuals who needed help like Brittany in quiet ways over the years. Leave aside that the Romneys give millions to charity. Later in Brittany’s letter, she writes the following [emphasis mine]: “I have paid $542.72 in federal, FICA, state, and city taxes this year as of August 31st.” So even under the literal interpretation of Romney’s comments being about those not paying taxes, Brittany does not qualify.
The Obama campaign has taken what could have been, with sensitive editing, a feel-good letter from someone who is doing her best under difficult circumstances and wishes to support Barack Obama into a dishonest, exploitive cheap shot at his opponent. The president and his campaign should be ashamed.”
http://speakwithauthority-jsm.blogspot.com/2012/10/campaign-exploitation.html