Posted by
Bob Wood aka TrekTek on Thursday, October 16, 2008 3:57:04 PM
(Update Below)
A lot has been said over the last few days about Joe the Plumber. His real name is Joe Wurzelbacher from Toledo, Ohio. He has become something of an instant celebrity because of this question to Sen. Barack Obama:
Obama sees nothing whatever wrong with taking Joe's hard-earned money - and the rest of us, as well - and giving it to someone else that he deems "less fortunate." Well, why are they less fortunate? Could it be that they have not made as wise choices as Joe, such as learning to do a job well, and getting up every day and going to work? Could it be that the "less fortunate" squandered more than one opportunity at an education or an entry-level job to gain experience? Could it be that the "less fortunate" are waiting for someone - even government - to put it in their hands for them?
Wurzelbacher only made one misstatement to Cavuto. Robin Hood did not steal from the "evil" rich to give to the poor. Robin Hood stole from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (the government) who had stolen his wealth from the poor citizens, and gave it back to the people who had originally earned it.
Robin Hood and Joe Wurzelbacher are my heroes.
Meanwhile, the Lamestream Media is probably trying to dig up dirt on Joe. We would be much better served if the media spent half of that time and effort trying to dig up Barack Obama's history. But we already know all we really need to know. Obama himself said it: "We need to spread (your) wealth around, and everybody benefits." That is socialism, and we already have too much of that as it is.
UPDATE: Well, this didn't take long. Carrie Budoff Brown, Amie Parnes, Ben Smith, and Jonathon Martin of Politico busily got after the story, including information they got from the Associated Press, and
now reports. And what did they learn?
Wurzelbacher acknowledged to reporters that he doesn't have a plumber's license, but said he didn't need one because he works for someone else at a company that does residential work. State and local records show Wurzelbacher has no license, although his employer does.David Golis, manager and residential building official for the Toledo Division of Building Inspection, said Wurzelbacher still would need to be a licensed apprentice or journeyman to work in Toledo.
Wurzelbacher also owes the state of Ohio $1,182.98 in personal income tax, according to Lucas County Court of Common Pleas records. The Ohio Department of Taxation filed a claim on his property until he pays the debt, according to the records. The lien remains active.
And the McCain campaign says:
“It's an outrage that the Obama campaign and the media are attacking Joe the Plumber for asking a legitimate question of a presidential candidate. This is why voters still have so many questions about Barack Obama. Instead of answering tough questions, his campaign attacks average Americans for daring to look at the reality behind his words, said Tucker Bounds, spokesman the McCain-Palin campaign. “John McCain will continue to fight on behalf of all hardworking Americans like Joe for policies geared toward increasing prosperity and reducing the burden on taxpayers -- not 'spreading the wealth around' for Senator Government to distribute as he sees fit.”
If Politico can spare four writers in conjunction with the might of the AP, maybe they can look into another story that cries out for attention after two years. Do you suppose they could just get after the Obama background mysteries with the same sense of "responsibility" they exhibited in trying to destroy the reputation of an everyday citizen in the name of partisan politics.