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.
