by Ian56
This is John McCain’s file from 2008
Highlights:
Bain
After calling for economic divestment from Iran, Romney was embarrassed by revelation that the Italian branch of Bain & Company – firm where Romney started as young consultant and served as CEO in early ‘90s – received $2.3 million contract from National Iranian Oil Company in 2004.
After calling for economic divestment from Iran, Romney was embarrassed by revelation that the Italian branch of Bain & Company – firm where Romney started as young consultant and served as CEO in early ‘90s – received $2.3 million contract from National Iranian Oil Company in 2004.
Bain Capital, the private equity firm that made Romney his fortune, currently owns a chemicals and paint company called SigmaKalon that operates an office in Tehran.
In 2004, Bain & Co. received a multi-million dollar contract from the National Iranian Oil Company.
Romney sat on board of directors of Bain portfolio company Damon Clinical Laboratories, which in 1996 was fined over $100 million for Medicare fraud committed during Romney’s tenure.
Political Romney has made political contributions to Democratic candidates, saying he places friendship above politics.
Romney appeared in 2003 TV ad endorsing Democrat Rocky Anderson – who has been outspoken in calling for President Bush’s impeachment over Iraq war – for reelection as Salt Lake City mayor; Romney featured
an Anderson testimonial in his own TV ads while running for governor in 2002.
an Anderson testimonial in his own TV ads while running for governor in 2002.
Romney proclaimed he wasn’t a Republican during the Reagan years, saying “I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.”
Romney was an independent until deciding to run for the Senate in 1994.
Romney voted for Paul Tsongas in the 1992 Democratic presidential primary.
(My addition www.redstate.com/streiff/2012/02/03/mitt-romney-registered-democrat/)
Economic Issues
State spending increased at well over rate of inflation under Romney’s watch, estimated at 24% – more than $5 billion – over Romney’s final three years.
Under Romney, Massachusetts dramatically underperformed the rest of the nation in terms of job growth.
Romney has been criticized by experts for failing to deliver on issues of business development and economic growth after selling himself as the “CEO governor.”
2006 report issued by quasi-public Massachusetts Technology Collaborative warned the state was losing its grip as leader in “innovation economy” and that tech job was alarmingly slow.
Romney left his successor to fill a budget deficit exceeding $1 billion.
Romney raised state fees and taxes more than $700 million per year, according to independent experts.
Romney raised fees by roughly $500 million in his first year alone, a figure that was highest in the nation.
Romney quadrupled gun licensing fees and raised fees on first responders, real estate transactions, the blind, golfers and many others.
Massachusetts’ state and local tax burden rose more than 7% during Romney’s administration.
Romney refused to endorse the Bush tax cuts in 2003, telling the state’s all-Democrat congressional
delegation he wouldn’t be a cheerleader for the plan.
delegation he wouldn’t be a cheerleader for the plan.
Romney implemented three rounds of tax changes (which he referred to as “closing loopholes”) which increased business taxes by an estimated $400 million per year.
Massachusetts’ corporate tax climate now ranks 47th in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation.
Romney proposed – then backed away from – a new internet tourism tax that would levy higher taxes on users of sites like Orbitz and Travelocity.
Romney enrolled Massachusetts in multistate compact aiming to end moratorium on internet sales taxes.
Romney took no position on estate tax issue in 2002 and signed 50% increase in state cremation fee, which observers called “hidden tax on the dead.”
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