Because my husband is a plumber, and apparently your average Joe Plumber makes mad cash in Holland, Ohio. $250,000 after 15 years? Jeff’s been a plumber for 12, and we’ll be lucky if we break $40K this year.
Don’t know the Joe the plumber story? Here’s the whole bit.
I really don’t understand why McCain found Joe the Plumber to be such a selling point. I watched this video yesterday afternoon (and I’m so glad I did, or else I would have been lost during the debate) and I thought Obama did a great job answering this man’s question.
First of all, he was extremely thorough, covering all points, not just the ones that immediately worked to his soundbite benefit.
Obama said that under his plan, Joe would have been saving more money all along, and would have been in a position earlier to make this business decision.
He said that Joe would get the lowered tax rate for the first $250,000. The higher rate would only apply beyond that number (in Joe’s case, for an additional $30,000 at 39%, which is what the rate was under Clinton.)
He said that Joe would get tax breaks for any new positions he created.
He said that he would get tax breaks for healthcare costs.
He said that he would eliminate the capital gains tax for small businesses.
He pointed out that by easing the financial pain of those making under $250K a year, those people would be in a better position to be customers.
He said he doesn’t mind paying a bit more (3%, remember, on $30,000: we’re talking a whopping extra $900, and I’m thinking that amount might be offset by all the other breaks. But I’m no accountant) to help people like waitresses who are struggling to make rent because business is slow.
And yet…McCain is the one invoking the Joe the Plumber saga? How, specifically, does this work in his favor? I don’t understand.
Not that it ultimately matters, because Joe Wurzelbacher isn’t even registered to vote in Ohio.
(We know how I feel about people who haven’t registered to vote.)
Other notes on last night’s debate:
- On the subject of making exceptions on a ban on late-term abortions, when the health of the mother is in danger, McCain pulls out the rabbit ears in reference to the mother’s “health”:
“That’s the extreme pro-abortion position“.
“Obama. He’s health for the mother.”
Excuse me? Can you get any more offensive? As Obama rightly said, no one is pro-abortion. That is a vile thing to say. Senator McCain, don’t you dare airquote women’s health. (I’m still mad about Palin airquoting the concept of alternative energies, as if akin to the Easter Bunny and garden fairies. )
- McCain wants to let war veterans become teachers without going to all that trouble of training and achieving certification? Are you freaking kidding me? Why aren’t people jumping all over this?
- And, of course, there was this.
I’m sorry, but that’s funny.
I’m all done venting now.
What caught your attention during the debate?
Are you, like me, looking forward to November 4th, when presumably you get your life back?
Wonderfully said! Couldn't agree more. I found your blog via Bubble Babble.
BTW-you might get a kick out of this.
http://palinaspresident.com
move the cursor around on the doors and windows and such. (click on the door three different times!)
Hey! I don't remember that last picture. That's so funny!
Also, Joe the Plumber doesn't even vote? HAHAHAHAHHAHA! So many people that came in late were so confused about that. McCain just could not get over that.
Thanks for posting the YouTube clip. I only saw a very small portion of that and had no idea it was nearly 6 minutes long. That's VERY impressive that Obama would speak that long with one person. I liked his comment at the tail end that the conversation was good preparation for the debate. How ironic! Also agree with you on all the other points, particularly the abortion one. When he did the "health" of the woman thing, it was almost as if there was a collective gasp among every woman in America. (And rightfully so.) How offensive. How insulting.
ahhhaha! That pic it hilarious 🙂 The whole Joe the plumber thing is already more annoying that the "hanging chad" thing a few years ago!
Hey, have you seen this? http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink I kind of feel sorry for him for getting national attention like this. And from McCain. McCain was pretty insane about it.
Also, he says at one point in the article that he wanted a candidate to actually give a straightforward answer, and he didn't get it. I thought Obama's answer was pretty straightforward, though. Maybe it was the answer to the wrong question, or something. ("Do you believe in the American Dream?" "This is how my tax plan will work…" Maybe.)
Hey everybody, I'm finally getting around to answering comments- forgive me, please!
that girl designs, howdy do; I love the Bubble Babble! Many thanks for the Palin as President link, we got a big kick out of that. (And a shudder.)
stephanie, thanks for the link. I understand Joe probably didn't realize the media was going to be fact-checking his life, but he still should have couched his question as "hypothetically speaking". I wonder how his present boss feels about all this? I don't get the tap dancing comment, either.
betty and boo's mommy, I know, if a presidential candidate took six minutes to any any question of mine I would be respectful, no matter my political affiliation. I wouldn't be shocked if later the "health" thing is recognized as a defining moment. It was unexcusable.
krissy, that picture is my wallpaper on my computer and my kids double over laughing every time they see it!
For some unknown reason, my computer locked whenever i tried to load your blog. I figured it was your way of punishing me for getting some sort of take out in a non-environmentally friendly package…
Anyway, I watched the debate pretty late that night because i was at a meeting for the National Women in Construction (yeah, I'm a member). Brian and I sat down and i paused it a few times to discuss things. I almost got up and punched my tv by the third time McCain said pro-abortion. As a former Planned Parenthood employee, I lost it. Obama's answer could not have been better. I looked at Brian and said that if there were any Hillary voters on the fence, that should have done it for Obama to get those votes.
Plus, McCain just looked all crazy in the eyes.