Mother Jones released a video Monday showing remarks made by Mitt Romney at a private fundraiser. These remarks, which Romney did not realize were being taped, tell us more about his character than he perhaps would like.

Here is an excerpt from Romney’s comments:

“There are 47 percent of people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it.”

So many parts of this statement are offensive that it’s difficult to even know where to begin. Romney, who has worked so hard to brand himself as an “everyman,” as someone who understands and cares for the plight of the average American, has shown more disdain and apathy through these remarks than many of his harshest critics would have dared to suggest.

First of all, Romney appears to be suggesting that basic human needs are discretionary. I don’t know about you, but I find it reasonable to think that yes, people do have a right to eat and be sheltered from the elements. We are in a time of dire financial crisis, when many Americans lack the means to secure food and housing, and Romney appears to be implying that food stamps and aid to the homeless constitute some kind of entitlement.

In addition to this, Romney’s remarks are astoundingly presumptuous. He supposes that the bulk of Obama’s support comes from the impoverished, and that Obama’s main appeal comes in the form of handouts. He fails to even acknowledge the possibility that some will vote democrat because they support universal healthcare, or proportionate tax burdens on the rich, or the right for homosexuals to marry.

But perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of this statement is the supposition that anyone who does not pay income tax — the 47 percent Romney refers to — are entitled and dependent upon the government. There isn’t sufficient space in this article to explore all the statistical fallacies in this premise, but I hope most will agree with me when I suggest that the poorer half of America is not mewling at Washington’s teat.

I, personally, represent one of the nearly 150 million Americans who do not pay income taxes. My father cannot work, and my family’s resultant financial situation exempts us from the responsibility of taxation. However, I do not consider myself “dependent” on the government, and I don’t believe that I’m a “victim” who is entitled to recompense.

Romney’s right about one thing, though. I won’t be voting for him this November.