Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticized President Barack Obama for ditching a work requirement for welfare recipient. He accused the president of fostering a culture of dependency. He released a new TV ad connected to the allegations. Dependency

White House press secretary Jay Carney responded to the allegations that he described to be blatantly dishonest. He added that Romney had petitioned the White House to loosen employment rules for those on welfare while he was still governor of Massachusetts.

Romney made his accusation before voters in Illinois, which is known to be a politically safe territory for Obama. Romney attended a fundraising event and also stopped at a manufacturing company. The two presidential candidates are trying to stockpile cash to be used for the upcoming presidential election.

President Barack Obama held two fundraisers just within a few blocks from the White House. The race is close and it looks like the attacks are becoming more personal. In an interview with Fox News, Romney said that Obama was saying things that aren’t accurate when it comes to taxes.

At a recent fundraiser, President Obama described Romney’s tax plan Robin Hood in reverse. He called it Romney Hood and repeated his accusation that the proposal would give tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans while the middle class has to pay more each year.

President Obama wants to extend tax cuts that are due to expire for all income levels except for those earning more than $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for a couple. His proposed tax cuts are aimed to attract the middle and working class voters as he try to win a second term with an unemployment rate of 8.3 percent.

Romney wants to cut the taxes across the board. He proposed an additional 20 percent reduction in tax rates. He introduced the welfare issue into the campaign as a way to get the votes of blue-collar, white working class voters. It could also suggest that Obama is winning at the tax issue.