John McCain and Sarah Palin have spent the last few days slamming Barack Obama for his comment to Joe the plumber. Needless to say they have completely left out the context of the entire conversation. McCain has used this as a talking point to press his idea that it means higher taxes on small business and middle class people. This is false. If your net income is $250,000, yes, your taxes would be higher but that is NOT middle class. He's throwing the word "socialism" around a great deal and so are his supporters. I highly doubt many of them know what that word even means but it's a good buzz word. Alas, here's a what socialism really is:
Social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources. According to the socialist view, individuals do not live or work in isolation but live in cooperation with one another. Furthermore, everything that people produce is in some sense a social product, and everyone who contributes to the production of a good is entitled to a share in it. Society as a whole, therefore, should own or at least control property for the benefit of all its members.
Barack Obama, raising taxes on those making $250,000 or more is not socialism. No one has proposed nationalizing anything. In fact, it will only be a 3% raise to 39%---back to where it was during Clinton's Presidency when we ended up with a surplus.
For some reason McCain , this election season, doesn't think the rich should pay higher taxes. But that's NOT what he thought in the year 2000. Watch this video and question from a Doctor's daughter.
Here's a partial transcipt from McCain's remarks to that young lady:
But I believe that when you really look at the tax code today, the very wealthy, because they can afford tax lawyers and all kinds of loopholes, really don't pay nearly as much as you think they do when you just look at the percentages. And I think middle-income Americans, working Americans, when the account and payroll taxes, sales taxes, mortgage pay -- all of the taxes that working Americans pay, I think they -- you would think that they also deserve significant relief, in my view...
I did notice that young lady shaking her head. Guess she doesn't think wealthy Daddy should pay more. Maybe Daddy needs to manage his money better. Our progressive tax code does make those making lots of money pay more as they should. I'll never understand how someone making lots of money has the temerity to whine. My husband and I certainly don't whine about what we pay. We expect to pay more because of the money my husband makes. It is patriotic to pay your taxes.
Interestingly, in 2000, McCain thought wealthy people should pay more. Ah, but now he sings a different tune. I guess John doesn't understand yet that you tube exists and what he says is actually recorded! Just another one of McCain's flip flops, er, changes of mind. Yeah, right.
Even The Daily Show showed a portion of this video from 2000 to call out McCain.
Amazing how eight years have changed his tune. What's also amazing is how utterly ignorant so many of his supporters are of the tax codes and the deductions allowed.
In last nights debate Joe the plumber's name was mentioned approximately 27 times. Now, McCain's message was to leave the impression that Obama is a socialist with his "spread the wealth around" remark to Joe and Joe is average Joe-six pack, lowly working stiff. Not so fast. Let's examine who Joe is and what Obama's tax plan would mean to him.
First, here's the video of Obama talking to Joe in Ohio.
As far as I'm concerned the whole "spread the wealth around" comment was taken out of context. Plus if Joe is planning on purchasing a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000, he's not average Joe-six pack.
Yes, his tax rate will increase 3% from 36% to 39%, a marginal hike, but that won't affect his hiring. Plus if his net personal income is over $250,000 then his business is wildly successful. Obviously this guy has no clue about business finance if he thinks this increase would be a deal killer and he either should never buy the business or get a better accountant ( he shouldn't be a schedule C filer if he's making that much money ). Has this man never heard of business tax deductions? Does he understand the difference between gross and net business income?
The other question is who is Joe the plumber? Well, he's Joe Wurzelbacher and says he's from Toledo, Ohio. He also thinks Obama's plan is socialism. Interesting how his interview with Obama went straight to Fox News and the next day he shows up in Neil Cavuto's show. While he says he's surprised his name was mentioned in a presidential debate, I think he's little more than an opportunist or how else would we have a photo of Joe watching the debate in his living room.
In an interview with Katie Couric last night he said:
WURZELBACHER:"I mean I have a pretty good idea who I’m going to vote for but you know that’s my - you know, the nice thing about going into the booth is only me and the lever knows," he said. "I think McCain did a fine job this evening, I think he brought up some good points. I do like his health care and I do like his, where he stands on taxes."
COURIC: Well, he supposedly will raise taxes only on people who make over $250,000 a year. Would you be in that category?
WURZELBACHER: Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end? You know, that's - people got to ask that question.
That's bit weird because I can't imagine anyone dropping the amount of net pay to see a tax increase. But that's a line Republicans continually use. Basically he's a guy that's supporting McCain.
From the Couric interview he's billed as uncommitted. Baloney.
Here's another thing---how can this guy act surprised when he's already being interviewed as soon as the debate ended? Something smells here with this guy. This guy also gave an interview to the conservative web site Family Security Matters on Oct. 15.
PM: Do you fear this is the possibility of America turning more down the socialist road if Obama does become elected and if he is able to implement these policies?
JW: Very much so. You start giving people stuff, and then they start expecting it – and that scares me. A lot of people expect it now. They get upset when their check’s late, they get upset when they don’t get as many benefits as they used to, or when different government agencies are cut or spending is cut here and there for whatever reason – people get upset at that. And that’s because they’re used to getting it and they want more. I mean, everyone’s always gonna want more. People work the system left and right to get more out of welfare, to get more out of state assistance, federal assistance. And if government’s there for them, they’re gonna keep on trying to manipulate it to get more out of it. You got people that come along and say, “Hey, I wanna help you people,” I mean, they’re all ears! They’re like, “Hey, you can help me more, I don’t have to work as hard, I don’t have to do as much, and you’re gonna give me this? Man, that’s great, you’re a good guy.”
Good grief, what horse puckey! Again with the poor people or struggling are going to get hand outs. Tell me, Joe, that it wouldn't be "working the system" for you to find every way to legally reduce your taxes. Sheesh!
Today Joe is making the rounds on teevee shows. He said on Good Morning America that he's registered to vote. Yet when looking through the Ohio voters registration his name doesn't show up at all. Now some have said his first name is Samuel but I couldn't find anything under that name either. He also said on GMA that McCain had called him before all this and asked him to come to rallies. Interestingly his name doesn't show up in the Ohio License lookup as a licensed/registered plumber and you must be licensed/registered as a plumber to buy this plumbing business he talked about in Ohio. Some blogs are also reporting that he already owns some businesses but I haven't seen that substantiated yet, so who knows. I am puzzled as to who this guy is really.
Whomever this guy is there's something just not right about him so conveniently coming on the scene. I have news for this guy. He's about to be investigated by every news organization out there and if there's anything fishy going on it won't end well for Joe the plumber.
UPDATE: I just heard Joe on MSNBC say he was registered in the Natural Law Party. WTF? He also did repeat that McCain called and asked him to come to rallies. He's not a small business owner either; he's a worker bee like many others. He sounds like an advocate of the flat tax...Ron Paul anyone? I don't like this guy and his 15 minutes of fame needs to end. He doesn't speak for everyman. He certainly doesn't speak for the blue-collar workers in my family.
SECOND UPDATE: Gah, now it appears Joe is a registered Republican.
Linda Howe, executive director of the Lucas County Board of Elections, said a Samuel Joseph Worzelbacher, whose address and age match Joe the Plumber’s, registered in Lucas County on Sept. 10, 1992. He voted in his first primary on March 4, 2008, registering as a Republican.
So, a name misspelling. Another reason NOT to purge voting rolls until things check out.
Tsk , tsk dude, you should know better. Plus there's all kinds of stuff in public records.
FOURTH UPDATE: Joe works for A. W. Newell Inc. It was incorporated in 1996 and has a grand total of 2 employees...Joe and the owner. Last year the company listed $130,000 in sales. So, according to that if Joe bought the business he WOULD get a tax break under Obama. Oh, this just makes this guy a liar since he told Obama the company made between $250,000 to $280,000. Joe also says he has no business plan ready to purchase the business. What a jerk McCain needs to stop portraying this dude as a business owner...he's not.Sheesh, I really don't like this guy. I still say this all sounds fishy.
