The last presidential debate of 2008 will be remembered in history books at the “Joe the Plumber” debate. But it may be that candidates McCain and Obama got Joe’s profession all wrong; it could turn out that Joe operates a wrecking ball rather than a wrench.
It was blue-collar “Joe” who approached Obama at a recent campaign event and in a single question, synthesized the basic issue of the 2008 presidential race. Joe told Obama that he wanted to someday buy the small plumbing company he worked for, but was worried about being taxed at a higher rate if he became successful. “So you’re going to raise my taxes?” Joe asked. Obama retorted that it is “good to spread the wealth around.”
McCain seized on the encounter in the last debate, saying that Obama favored not just more taxes, but also embraced the ideology that the “rich,” whatever that is, have a duty to finance the poor.
Given the unique dynamics of this race, this could prove to be the wrecking ball of Obama’s campaign. Many people loathe the concept of income redistribution, taking from the producers in society and having government hand those dollars out to those who don’t produce.
While that view is one of the cornerstones of traditional conservatism, it is also the view of many blue-collar independent voters like “Joe” who seek to climb the economic ladder. Obama needs those voters to carry some key states next month, yet Joe unmasked Obama’s economic theory in a way that no political pundit has been able to do.
To a large extent, this carries racial undertones. Let’s don’t kid ourselves, a large part of this election revolves around race as Obama stands as the first serious black candidate for president. Most black voters will vote for Obama because they identify with him as a black citizen, not because of his policy details. At the other end, some white voters will vote against Obama because he’s black not because they disagree with his policies. Race is part and parcel to this campaign.
And that, in part, is the shadow being cast by the Joe debate. Some of those independent, white blue-collar voters like Joe fear a return to the pre-Clinton days of welfare abuse. There is an unspoken thread here that suggests to some of these voters that Obama intends to tax the working class and small businesses — people like Joe — so he can bring back a more aggressive welfare system favorable to his core black constituency where poverty is an endemic problem.
That may or may not be the political game at hand, but certainly some middle class, blue-collar white voters in key states are starting to have that fear. A Democratic president with a dominant Democratic Congress would be able to entirely reshape the nation’s tax system in a way that would decrease entrepreneurial incentives to create new jobs and new businesses. Why would Joe want to risk investing his money and sweat labor into building a business if Obama and Congress are just going to tax him at higher and higher rates because he’s successful? Adding insult to injury, they want to dole that money out to those in society who don’t work.
That is the issue raised in the Joe the plumber debate and it is one that resonates with many undecided, blue collar workers.
It may not be enough to stop the Obama campaign juggernaut, which at this point seems likely to win the presidency in two weeks.
But this issue is McCain’s best hope for getting back into the race, if he’s smart enough to use it.
Joe, where are you?
Mike Buffington is editor of The Jackson Herald. He can be reached at mike@mainstreetnews.com.
Do NOT comment unless you have seen "W.", as you are not qualified. While you're at it, go WAY OUT on a limb and see Bill Mahyer's "Religuluos".
Please tell us that you really aren't that clueless and ignorant...because the future of America is at stake.
Obama KNOWS what it's like to be poor. Let McCain talk to the residents of Jefferson, Nicholson, Pendergrass, etc. who have no job, no money and ano quality of life other than to disappear in drink and drugs. He won't understand poverty, but he'll get an earfull.
Really he grew up in an upper middle class neighborhood and went to private schools his entire life!
Below are some links hinting as to what is on the horizon. Don't scoff. Area 51 was "hidden" for years, but the gov't. finally admitted to it's existance in the the 90's! Also, why are all those "on/off" ramps on Interstate 16 for? Barbara Bush recently said that we had "too many people on the East coast and the heard needed to be cut". Atlanta's own Ted Turner (CNN) said the overpopulation of the US was a detrement to our natural resources and the people should be "thinned out". Think people, think! The government wants our attention diverted while they play the real games. Check out "scotsman.com and jeremiahproject for information on the New World Order (one gov't and one religion) Also, load youtube and put in "plastic coffins in Georgia" or disclosure.tv. DARE YOU TO LOOK!
I think you're on to something here! I've thought the same thing for years. There is something in the wind and it ain't the chicken poop! I think it's the US government that is actully behind all the UFO abductions! I've heard rumors that, as you say, it is really a "special ops" force that has been trained to fly the saucers that were given to the government by the aliens to round up middle class people and haul them back to their planet as slave labor to build sheds in their back yards!! Before departing the planet everyone that is abducted must first go to Texas (thus the recent story about all the lights over Texas) where Barbara Bush ulitmatly decides who goes and who stays! Shhh, dont' tell anyone but I don't think she's really one of us! These poor souls who are about to depart this world are given one last meal cooked up by non other than Ted Turner himself at one of his Montana restaurants (one last buffalo burger for the road). I hear that once you arrive at the alien's home planet the only thing that plays on the TV is CNN!!! The Aliens are to busy watching TV, eagerly awaiting election "poll results", to do their own work - thus the need for slave labor from another planet! Oddly enough the leader of this planet is named "Barock Odamna". The aliens all love living their because eveyone is equal and the government gives them everything - even if they don't work or contribute! For those over acheiving aliens that produce more than the others all their hard work & efforts are taken away and dispursed to the ones that are to lazy to work. But they don't mind - as long as they can keep getting the "middle class" slave labor from our planet!
I hear rumors that they are building more & more ships to haul away record numbers of slave labor. Particularly the ones from the East cost (they tend to work hard). Once the pickings get slim here they'll move on to the west coast and hope for the best!
So I strongly recommend that if you have a shed in your back yard you immediatly go out and tear it down - don't delay!! Lord I sure hope the department of Home Land Security isn't ease dropping on my Email!! If so I might get wisked off tonight in my sleep. I sure don't want my fate in the hands of Barbara Bush!!! If they go get me I wish you well Mr. dawg - Keep up the good fight and I hope to not see in in the land of Odama!!
Evidently you only watch Fox News Network. Try spreading your wings to other news agencies (including Reuters). There was a meeting (as reported by a national news network) of the New World Order quite recently. Just listen for these key words as they begin to "come out" and you may just question what's out there too! What's wrong with questioning? Isn't that how we learn? Watch out!
I have the answer. I can run for office. That way, my practicality, mixed with lack of religion to get in the way, will allow me the necessary liberal environment in which to make drastic and logical changes. I'd get business and special interests out of Washington, level the playing field with an overall 10% tax - no incentives, breaks or deductions, and make sure each and every person in the US is pulling their weight. I'd pull troops out of Iraq and get the country on the road to going green. Services and basic necessities would be allocated to every citizen in need. Training would be provided so that every man and woman would contribute to society. Those that are able to work will, and I would provide care of the elderly and disabled, making sure they have a safety net to fall on. Since Tax will be accross the board, distribution of wealth would be fair. Therefore, funding would be available for social services such as child care and medical care.
Socialism? Why not? Why can't there be a mixure of Democracy and socialism as in the Netherlands and Europe? Holland seems to enjoy the good life, because their government is liberal and fair. I would strive to do the same.
What a pipe dream!
But, I've always said there would be a black MAN as president before nay type of WOMAN.
Joe the Plumber wasn't just a blue collar worker, he was a man trying to get a plumbing business off the ground and make it survive so he can provide for his family. The mistake he obviously made was asking a valid question of a candidate who is running for the highest office in this land. Joe the Plumber only wanted to know what Obama's plan was to help American's and for that not only did he not get an answer but he was hunted down, his personal and business life scrutinized and Obama and ilk ridiculed the man. It's amazing to me that no one including yourself thought it necessary to ask why on earth an American citizen cannot ask a question of those who are wanting the power to shape our everyday lives and expect an answer. Why isn't the media or yourself asking why, because of a simple question this American citizen was harassed, ridiculed and his life turned upside down?
The speed with which the media and the Democrats 'thugs' attacked "Joe" sounds more like socialist, gestapo tactics...you don't agree with them and they will seek to destroy you. But then again the Democrats are known for this type of viciousness. I wonder does the media, including yourself ever find fault with Obama or the Democrats, do you ever seek to hold them accountable for their actions or is it just the Republicans and anyone else who doesn't agree with you that is labeled as racist, middle class, blue collar or white collar, white skinned, rich fat cats. Where were your scathing remarks concerning the hacker that got into Palins private emails and posted them online, endangering her minor children? Yeah, I didn't think so...
The only nice thing about these vicious attacks on "Joe", Palin and others that don't agree with Obama or the Democrat agenda or the obvious ignoring of Obama's, Biden's and the Democrats faux paux's is that it is going to back fire on the media big time. No one trusts the media's biased 'reporting' because it isn't real reporting, it's so biased that even the Democrats know it but they are benefitting from it now so they keep silent. It will not always be so, ask why is FOXnews the #1 news station for several years running? It's not because they are conservative, true there are several on their that are but its one station out of all the others that are liberal, it's because they are reporting more fairly what is really going on in the news. They have not attacked Obama nor any Democrat with the venom in which others have been attacked by the liberal media nor hounded as long. "Joe" the Plumber is just an average American concerned about the future but according to you he must be a racist and afraid of Obama and blacks in general, it's shameful that you parade your bias in such a public forum. I can assure you that when it comes time to renew with Mainstreet "Newspapers", I will refuse on the grounds that I 'an average Joe' just can't stomach your biased 'reporting' any longer.
What's wrong with Liberal? Why does everyone fear change? It's obvious that what the Republicans are doing, and have been doing, isn't working. Wake up, get off your high horse, open your head, allow knowledge to come in, and then you can make SOUND and MATURE and INTELLIGENT comments.
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
' On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
I am an intuative empath. It doesn't mean I'm psychic, but I have advances ESP abilities. I don't see dead people ot talk to ghosts or tell the future. I get clear ideas about people and can tell this newspaper all about your lack of common sense.
You have little or no higher education.
You are in you late 30's or 40's.
You have "new money", meaning you sold farmland and made a large profit.
Now you think you're "what's happenin'" and like to blow hot air about anything and everything.
You're a fool.
A fool and his gold are soon parted.
You are an agry man. How pitiful! Evidently you have a little money. I can't wait until Obama spreads YOUR wealth around!
Do you think it's FAIR for the American people to pay for the bonuses of the companies they just bailed out? Do you think it's FAIR than Exxon makes a record profit while we pay $4 a gallon for gas? Do you think its FAIR that Exxon not only gets tax breaks, but was forgiven 30 billion in payment to the Alascan people for ruining their coasts and wildlife?
Sorry, we the people are on the verge of revolt, just like the French. Obama IS going to win, thank God.
Why wasn't Bush impeached?