Joe the plumber

[bsnyder]

And some posters can't read.

 

[corndog]

You just knew when it became apparent that this guy did not support Obama that the attacks on him from the media would commence in short order.

 

[just4today]

Would he necessarily have to be a registered voter in order to be affected by the tax policies of the POTUS?

 

[Wonderlandmom]

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418/-1/NEWS
Quote:
Questions were being raised Thursday morning whether Mr. Wurzelbacher is a registered voter.

Linda Howe, executive director of the Lucas County Board of Elections, said a Samuel Joseph Worzelbacher, whose address and age match Joe the Plumber’s, registered in Lucas County on Sept. 10, 1992. He voted in his first primary on March 4, 2008, registering as a Republican.

Ms. Howe said that the name may be misspelled in the database.

Thanks for the link!

 

[*Robin*]

Hmmm, not registered to vote, not a licensed plumber? So, what was he doing at the Obama rally?

EDIT: Bet was typing at the same time. So let us assume that he is registered.

So, a registered Republican goes to an Obama rally. Said person asks about taxes because he is considering buying a business. However, later we find out that he is not currently in a position to buy the business, and it is unclear if the business would really be all that taxable or not, depending upon net, not gross. But suddenly "Joe the Plumber" becomes a Republican talking point in a National Presidential debate. Convenient coincidence, or campaign set up?

Some would think this was an attempt to make the best choice for his situation. I don't think he is the only person in America who is undecided at this point.

Obama just made sure he understood that he was one of the rich ones, and he needed to help everyone with his earnings.

 

[Chuck S]

You just knew when it became apparent that this guy did not support Obama that the attacks on him from the media would commence in short order.

"Attacks" from the media? Voter registrations in most states are pubic record, just like property records, car registrations, etc.

I don't think the media would have cared one way or the other, if the hadn't been used as a talking point by the Republicans in the debate.

 

[Chuck S]

Some would think this was an attempt to make the best choice for his situation. I don't think he is the only person in America who is undecided at this point.

Obama just made sure he understood that he was one of the rich ones, and he needed to help everyone with his earnings.

If he is a registered Republican, and voted in the Republican primary, it is quite likely he is not an undecided voter.

In Texas, we do not register a party affiliation, we can vote in either pimary. In states where you do register a party affiliation, you are usually only allowed to vote in that parties primary. And you usually follow through in the general election.

 

[just4today]

I don't understand what difference any of that makes. Obama said what he said.

 

[bsnyder]

Chuck, what's your source for claiming that he's not a licensed plumber?

 

[bsnyder]

I don't understand what difference any of that makes. Obama said what he said.

It's an attempt to deflect from what Obama said:

"I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

 

[happygirl]

Most Dems wouldn't worry about Joe the Plumber accept for one point. He helped prove that Obama belives in Wealth redistribution when Obama said, "Spread the wealth around."

 

[Master Mason]

Joe stated that he was looking to purchase a plumbing business that earns $250,000+ per year. It's not clear whether he meant that HE would be earning that $250k or the business's gross earnings would be $250k ... or if the net profit of this business might be $250k. The tax plans that Obama and McCain cited (and seem to be the focus of this Joe the Plumber deal) are PERSONAL INCOME TAX plans, not business taxes.

Most owner operated businesses are not incorporated, so they are taxed as individuals.

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck, what's your source for claiming that he's not a licensed plumber?

I was referring to mrsv98's post earlier in the thread.

It's an attempt to deflect from what Obama said:

But it is almost the same thing as the "trickle down" economic base used by Republicans, only it "trickles up". If people have more disposable income, they will spend more, which will help businesses.

If the gov't helps business, there is nothing to indicate that those businesses in turn, will pass that along to their employees. Business has changed. It used to be that business wanted to provide for their employees...there was loyalty on the part of the employer and the employee. Many folks worked 35+ years for the same employer and retired. Now the average person changes employers every few years, there is no incentive for the business to offer great benefits, as employees will leave the company anyway. By contrast, there is no compelling reason for the employee to be totally loyal, either, as companies are no longer offering those great retirement plans and health benefits like they did a few years ago. Their sole motivation now, partly because investment firms are demanding faster and higher ROI, is net profit.

 

[minnie61650]

Most owner operated businesses are not incorporated, so they are taxed as individuals.

Not sure about most but DH owns his own business and his company is not incorporated.

 

[*Robin*]

If he is a registered Republican, and voted in the Republican primary, it is quite likely he is not an undecided voter.

In Texas, we do not register a party affiliation, we can vote in either pimary. In states where you do register a party affiliation, you are usually only allowed to vote in that parties primary. And you usually follow through in the general election.

I am a lifelong Democrat who will be voting Republican in this election. I can't see why it wouldn't go both ways in many, many cases.

 

[*Robin*]

I was referring to mrsv98's post earlier in the thread.

If the gov't helps business, there is nothing to indicate that those businesses in turn, will pass that along to their employees. Business has changed. It used to be that business wanted to provide for their employees...there was loyalty on the part of the employer and the employee. Many folks worked 35+ years for the same employer and retired. Now the average person changes employers every few years, there is no incentive for the business to offer great benefits, as employees will leave the company anyway. By contrast, there is no compelling reason for the employee to be totally loyal, either, as companies are no longer offering those great retirement plans and health benefits like they did a few years ago. Their sole motivation now, partly because investment firms are demanding faster and higher ROI, is net profit.

I completely agree with this, but you also have to remember that this is a capitalistic society. It's based on the fact that we can work in ways we see fit, build our companies as we see fit, hire and fire who we see fit, and report to work when we see fit. Larger government involvement in this will only hinder and completely change the ability to do this.

Good companies have good employees. Things change through the years, we are in a period of adjustment. Personally I don't want the government interfering any more than they already do. Bush grew the government 10 fold, Obama will grow it more.

Republicans have disliked McCain for years for doing exactly what he's proposing to do if he is elected. It's time that we found a Middle of the Road in politics. I can only hope that we have a chance here.

 

[mrsv98]

Well, it looks like Ole Joe doesn't like to pay taxes anyway...

http://apps.co.lucas.oh.us/onlinedo...ARTDATE=01/01/1900&ENDDATE=01/01/2100&PARTY=0

This is a lien against him for....wait for it....failure to pay taxes!

 

[Chuck S]

Well, it looks like Ole Joe doesn't like to pay taxes anyway...

http://apps.co.lucas.oh.us/onlinedo...ARTDATE=01/01/1900&ENDDATE=01/01/2100&PARTY=0

This is a lien against him for....wait for it....failure to pay taxes!

Oh no, say it ain't so, Joe.

 

[robinb]

My jaw dropped when I read his interview with Katie Couric after the debate:
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml

This gem, in particular, shocked me

COURIC: Could you just, Joe, explain quickly, and then we'll let you go, how you met both of the candidates?

WURZELBACHER: I've yet to meet John McCain. Obama came to my neighborhood and my son and I were outside tossing the football, and all of a sudden he showed up, and there went our football tossing for a while. And, you know, neighbors were outside asking him questions, and I didn't think they were asking him tough enough questions, so I thought, you know, I'll go over there. You know, I've always wanted to ask one of these guys a question and really corner them and get them to answer a question of--for once instead of tap dancing around it. And unfortunately I asked the question but I still got a tap dance. Do you - almost as good as Sammy Davis Jr.

What the heck? Sammy Davis Jr?!?

Oh, and here's a full video of "Joe"'s conversation with Obama:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFC9jv9jfoA

 

[AndyLL]

The taxes of an unincorporated sole proprietorship is shown on the normal 1040 form and pays at the individual rates. An S-Corporation is set up to pay the owner a salary and almost completely eliminate Corp. taxes so the business essentially still taxed at the individual rate. So Obama's tax increases will hit these types of businesses.
Bob

Less then 2% of small businesses will be hit by this tax. ( unless you are a DisBoard Member )

The business Joe the Plumber wants to buy will not fall into this category as admitted by Joe.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/15/smallbusiness/small_biz_taxes_factcheck.smb/index.htm