I don't know all the details, such as who exactly has done this, but I just heard on CNN that a group of concerned citizens has started a fundraising drive to raise money for everyone's favorite non-celebrity du jour, Joe the Plumber.Apparently they have raised enough money to pay Joe's back taxes, as well as the fees required to obtain a plumber's license. (As far as completing the apprenticeship and training necessary to qualify, it seems that is squarely upon Joe's shoulders.)
I have to wonder...how does Joe feel about "spreading the wealth around" now? Is he going to refuse the money? After all, he didn't EARN it, did he? Seems to me that Joe just might be taking WELFARE here!
ARRGGGHHHH! At first, I was mildly irritated by the guy and the unwarranted coverage he received from the candidates and the press. As more came out about him, the more irritated I got, but I figured he'd go away eventually. Now I think my head is going to explode.
It was obvious from the beginning that the guy just doesn't get it when it comes to what taxes are for. As Colin Powell pointed out, taxes are, for all intents and purposes, a redistribution of wealth. They pay for our schools, our highways, our military--from which we all benefit--and yes, to fund government programs for those who need help. Is there abuse of some of that? Absolutely. Should we stop offering to help those in need? No way. Doofus Joe says that Obama's plan to raise taxes on those in the top 5% of earners in this country, despite the fact that Joe is NOWHERE NEAR that level, smacks of "socialism." How do you feel about the bailout, Joe? How do you feel about the government investing in our BANKS, which is edging very close to nationalization of our financial system? Huh, Joe? TELL US!
[panting]
If you want to salvage a tiny little shred of whatever credibility you think you have, JOE, you'll say "Thanks but no thanks" to those people who felt something called [air quotes] compassion [end air quotes] for you and your plight, and out of the goodness of their hearts--something you seem to have lost along the way, JOE--contributed money to help YOU. Tell them, JOE, that you believe in working for your money, and you realize that it's up to you to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and work your way out of the hole you've gotten yourself into. Tell them that you, in all good conscience, cannot accept that sort of handout. Tell them that while, like Blanche DuBois, you appreciate the kindness of strangers, you just can't accept their money because it would be like accepting WELFARE.
Go on. Tell 'em, JOE. [poking my cyber finger into his cyber chest]
Yeah. That's what I thought.
chortle...........
ReplyDeletewell I have to say you guys give us good elections ;)
who is Joe the plumber?
ReplyDeleteXO
Wish many could see your point! Take care and enjoy your tomorrow,
ReplyDeleteKatie
Settle down and catch your breath..I am in 10000% agreement with you about good ol' Joe the jerk, errr...I mean plumber.
ReplyDeleteI was sick of hearing about him & told my secretary I couldn't wait until his 15 minutes were up. I hadn't heard about this!!!
Yep, it will surely be interesting to see what he does now. I am a betting person so I know what I am putting my money on....he takes it.
Okay, breathe in, breathe out, and repeat as needed.
ReplyDelete:) Leigh
Hi Beth,
ReplyDeleteBetcha can't guess how I feel?? LOL!!
I may do a post on this in my journal, as there are many things I could say, but I don't want to do an "entry" in your comments section! I'll just hit on a couple of things. I missed this segment, but you covered it well.
I was 1000% opposed to the government bailout. There was no doubt someone was going to lose money. Why should it be every taxpayer in the country? WE just bought an enormouse amount of bad debt. The definition of "bad debt" is of course, debt that can't be collected. WE just bought it lock, stock, & barrel.
Banks & lenders who made the high risk mortgages & loans SHOULD take the hit. They knew what they were getting into when they did it. Just one example is that 5 million of these foreclosures are illegal immigrants. Just what DID they think would happen??
As far as Obama's tax plan goes - history trying to repeat itself. Bill Clinton said he would raise taxes only on the rich. Problem was, at the time, I was only making a little over $20K/year, & my takes went through the roof! It turned out to be the largest tax hike in history. If elected, I think Obama will do the same thing. If he did limit it to this income level, it would drastically raise taxes on over 50% of all small businesses. What would happen to the unemployment rate & the cost of goods then, especially considering businesses that employ less than 100 people makeup 98% f the total businesses in the U.S.
I have noticed that when Obama speaks of funding the massive programs he wants to implement if elected, I notice he steers well clear of saying taxes would have to be raised dramatically to pay for it all. He consistently uses the term "investments." This is just like the IRS calling your taxes "contributions" (check out your tax booklet & see how many times you see that word!)
Distrustful? You betcha! Think I will do some research on all this for a post!
Hope you & Ken have a great evening, and I'm so glad he wasn't hurt at work.
Dirk
http://tsalagiman2.blogspot.com/
OMG... People are actually collecting money for this guy? Oh for the love of... ack.
ReplyDeletebe well...
okay.. while in spirit I agree with your take on Joe... I am not sure that private donations from well intentioned people equals out to welfare. I have no doubt that he will take the money and pay his back taxes... or maybe go on vacation to the bahamas.
ReplyDeleteOf course, there is a difference between giving money voluntarily to a cause you choose (even if it's stupid, admittedly) and having it taken from you by government fiat. It's not a conlict to take the money ofered freely and still hate tax based wealth redistribution.
ReplyDeleteBeth:
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you wrote this, so I didn't have to. I agree with you again, and hope we don't have to hear about Horatio Algars "American Dream" talk of his. I say we had enough of Joe, and that he should step out of the spotlight, and fix a toilet!
The American people need to pay attention to what matters in this election.
Blessed Be
Wes
I don't even know what to say about this.
ReplyDeleteI aggree with one of your other readers. When is this guys' 15 minutes up already?
Jeez.
I wish I could remember what it is called ... when people support things that not only aren't in their long term interest, but aids those who are part of the oppressive system that keeps the person themselves impoverished.
ReplyDeleteJoe's ignorance is stultifying, and goes to show how deep racism is, because whenever you insert 'taxes and social programs', you scream 'welfare' and that invariably comes to a 'us v. them', taking my hard earn money I got from Wal-mart (who by the way, INSTRUCTS employees on how to apply for gov't aid) to support those who are too lazy to work. Or too black. Or too Latino. Or too much not like me and John (I have 7 houses) Mcain, who ISN'T even like me, but I am too blinded to notice ...
...oh my, I could go on with this. Joe himself is a prime example of this. Here he is, not even going to approach the $250k tax ceiling if he does get the business, arguing against something that could ONLY HELP him, then not being any of the things he need to be to matter.
That isn't a 'thing', Repub or Demo, minority or no, but a human thing, where a mind can be so clouded and confused to where what is good for someone is made to look bad.
This country needs therapy.
This whole Joe the Plumber thing is too irritating. Doesn't McKain at least do his homework? Turns out his name isn't Joe, he owes back taxes, he's not a plumber and some analysts have said he'd actually be paying less taxes under Obama. Go figure ...
ReplyDeleteBest,
Marty
Malinda said...
ReplyDelete"Of course, there is a difference between giving money voluntarily to a cause you choose (even if it's stupid, admittedly) and having it taken from you by government fiat. It's not a conlict to take the money ofered freely and still hate tax based wealth redistribution."
I agree with Melinda here. This is a case of charity not welfare.
Blogger Big Mark 243 said...
"I wish I could remember what it is called ... when people support things that not only aren't in their long term interest, but aids those who are part of the oppressive system that keeps the person themselves impoverished."
I believe the technical term you are looking for is "stupid".
I am a tree huggy, go help the little guy lefty person but I hafta say, ya know we just poured $700,000,000,000 ($700 billion) down the sewer. I don't think that either candidate's tax plan is what really needs to happen. We are in debt up to our eyebrows. Heck were way past eyebrows now, unless you aren't counting the mountain of bad paper were standing on. The only way out of it is to raise taxes and slash through ALL spending like a Mongol Horde on the attack.
I doubt it will happen and I am still voting Obama this time but we went from budget surpluses to hemorrhaging money in just under 8 years. We as a nation need to reckon our books and it ain't gonna be pretty when we do. It also aint gonna be pretty if we don't and the rest of the world decides to cut off our credit and we suddenly find ourselves with no money to fund our military and infrastructure. Chinese lessons anyone?
I don't know the answer and I don't think either of the parties does either.
Hello! I am back from Cali! I finished the marathon and am sore as.....not sure what I am sore as but I am sore to say the least. I am trying to get caught up here! Linda
ReplyDeleteI think right now I'm a little relieved I'm NOT Joe the Plumber...*winks* but yeah I do agree with you. (Hugs)Indigo
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments.
ReplyDeleteCan I get an amen? Put a cold compress on your head, I find that helps when I am on the verge of having an exploding head. I don't get how it is that people like Joe the plumber don't get it! Well said!
ReplyDelete