Ann Romney: ‘I Don’t Even Consider Myself Wealthy’

[karynnj]

24. I could be wrong, but I interpret "poor in spirit" differently

If I were to say that someone poor was rich in spirit, I would mean that they are surrounded by love ones and are able to enjoy the life that they have. As I read it that way, the sentence was actually sad - and admission that you could be worth millions, but at heart, be a poor little rich boy or girl - lacking for nothing material, but not being happy, healthy, and emotionally sad.

I suspect she meant it as you interpreted - that she can identify "in spirit" with those who are poor. I suspect that ANYONE willing to say that - really can't. After all, it presupposes a group who main identifier is that they are poor. I suspect that there is in reality no heterogeneity in that "group".

It is strange that the Romney's don't use the words of the Kennedys, and others, who quoted the Bible saying that to those who much was given, mush is expected. I would have suspected that the Romneys will site the charitable contributions given. It is mind boggling that she would imply that there was any question that she was incredibly wealthy. (In 2004, I respected that Kerry did not try to point out that his immediate family was not wealthy - just upper middle class - and that he worked summer jobs for spending money in high school and college. The fact was he was born into an elite world that gave him strings that most of us don't have to get opportunities that we will never get. In Mitt Romney's case, he was every bit as privileged and far richer. Ann has been wealthy since she married Mitt 45 years ago.)