Here are a few questions for Mitt Romney or his supporters about Romney's anti-American claim that half the U.S. are welfare queens.

The reader is urged to try to ask Romney one of these questions at one of his many personal appearances. Or, ask his supporters or surrogates at their appearances or over social media. Then, record their answers on video or some other means. See Question Authority for the process, and here's a list of Romney's advisors on Twitter. Those who specialize in this area are also urged to post their own questions in comments. Admittedly, unlike the many other sets of questions posted here over the years, these are more statements designed to make a point than questions designed to create a dialogue.

1. Your 47% "who are dependent upon government" includes large numbers of disabled and elderly veterans. What would you have them do so as to "take personal responsibility and care for their lives"? Would you care to reduce your 47% figure and if so to what figure exactly?

2. Your 47% "who are dependent upon government" includes large numbers of disabled and elderly veterans. Even if they aren't paying into the system now, would you say they've done so in the past? Would you care to reduce your 47% figure and if so to what figure exactly?

3. Your 47% "who are dependent upon government" includes very large numbers of retirees (many of whom are or were GOP voters). What would you have them do so as to "take personal responsibility and care for their lives"? Would you care to reduce your 47% figure and if so to what figure exactly?

4. Your 47% "who are dependent upon government" includes very large numbers of retirees (many of whom are or were GOP voters). Even if they aren't paying into the system now, would you say they've done so in the past? Would you care to reduce your 47% figure and if so to what figure exactly?

5. Your 47% "who are dependent upon government" includes large numbers of students (some of whom might otherwise have become GOP voters). What would you have them do so as to "take personal responsibility and care for their lives"? Would doing so cost more over the long run, in that it might impede their studies and thus reduce their income potential in years to come? Would you care to reduce your 47% figure and if so to what figure exactly?

6. Your 47% "who are dependent upon government" includes large numbers of students (some of whom might otherwise have become GOP voters). Even if they aren't paying into the system now, would you say they'll do so in the future, depending on their income? Would you care to reduce your 47% figure and if so to what figure exactly?

7. In 2011, "the poorest fifth of households paid a stunning 12.3 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes" (source: link). How much more would you have them pay so as to contribute their fair share and "take personal responsibility and care for their lives"?

8. Your 47% "who are dependent upon government" includes large numbers of working poor or other workers who are close to being poor. How much more would you have them pay so as to contribute their fair share and "take personal responsibility and care for their lives"? What impact would there be on the U.S. - short-term and long-term - if they paid even more?

See also these 30 questions for fiscal conservatives and libertarians; many apply to Romney as well.

Please get out there and ask those questions, or post your own questions in comments below. I'm also willing to edit your questions for maximum effectiveness.

ADDED: I corrected a copy & paste fail in #6.