Hi Leauki,

Lets assume he is legit and is a real taxpayer.  This point I think was one that involved taxes and who should get tax relief.  Sen. Obama is pandering to the middle class.  He used the phrase about income redistribution.  I wouldn't have done so.  I would have, and do, stand on the principle of a balanced budget and good fiscal policy. 

Borrowing huge amounts of money from countries who really do not like us is not wise.  Borrowing huge amounts of money against a smaller income is not wise in any case.  So, who gets to pay the bill?  All I hear is that big business wants more and more tax relief.  Others think we can and should cut entitlements.  Really?  Like what?  I mean the conservatives have already given big business the deepest tax cuts ever.  We have had wave after wave of welfare reform.  Every social support system I know of is suffering: public health, mental health, education, housing, poverty programs.  

What we haven't done is gone after the two largest sacred cows: the military-industrial complex and social security, although the Republicans sure seemed to want to give that Social Security a shot in Bush's earlier term (remember that...lets put retirement in the hands of Wall Street?) while at the same time outspending every predecessor in military terms. While at the same time having an absolutely abysmal record in terms of supporting veteran's programs.

I think we need to get real and quit whining. Fat cats are going to have to go on a diet. They will have to figure out how to be creative with what they have: those who are slim will have to get to work and figure out how to get fat.  But in any case, we have got to deal with our fiscal policy.

And McCain has admitted he hasn't really got a clue about that.

Be well.

Actually, I think it is very wise. It forces those countries to like you. It's the countries you do like that you shouldn't owe money to.

I prefer owing money to people I don't care about over owing money to friends.

Hm...

It's not an attempt to undermine your credibility. You said you have paid your fair share of taxes. Sweet! I guess we all get to make that decision if you can. I decide that my 20+ years in the workforce is equal to my share of the taxes that are required of me. 

The truth is, you no longer pay taxes. Why do you care what the other suffering Joes are burdend with? You don't have to. As long as the Gubment has money to pay you in SS I am pretty sure you don't care. 

As a CEO in your working days: 1. Accounting for inflation, would you (or your company) have been effected by Obama's 250K floor on tax hikes? 2. Would you still agree with them if theproposed tax hikes forced you to lay off employees to keep your business profitable?

How about left elitist with a soap box?

John, I think you should quit making assumptions.  You indicated thsat as a priest I had not paid taxes but was/am willing to ask others to pay their fair share.   I simply ciorrected you.  The thing is, I was 70 percent disabled from wounds received in combat at 17 and still managed to get a high school GED, a BA, a masters and a Ph.D, grow a company and pay taxes.  At some point in life, I believe one should be able to retire, don't you?

As to my tax situation.  I still pay taxes.  I have two income producing properties and other investments.  While my disability income in not taxable, other income is.  Would I support paying more taxes?  Yes. I vote yes to most property tax incereases, school bond issues (I own four houses so I do pay substantial taxes on those properties, etc..  What I am REALLY tired of is pissy conservatives wanting less and less obligation for their country while they bloviate patriotism till they are blue in the face.

[quote]As a CEO in your working days: 1. Accounting for inflation, would you (or your company) have been effected by Obama's 250K floor on tax hikes? 2. Would you still agree with them if theproposed tax hikes forced you to lay off employees to keep your business profitable?[/quote

Yes.  We were netting about a million a year. I would still agree with tax hikes.  I have a deep sense of commitment to my country and want to see it financially solvent.

I am not sure how to make this happen without increasing taxes and decreasing spending.

About being an elitist.  An elitist is one who stands above or outside it all...at least in their mind...I am a monk who actually involves himself with people, real people, including those who come through our community soup kitchen.  Left leaning?  I think so.

Do you really see JU as a soap box?  I see it as a wonderful opportunity for dialogue.

Be well.

Be well.

The guy who asked the question is not even close to the issue here.  The issue is the answer that Obama gave--he knew absolutely nothing about the guy when he answered his question. Obama was caught in an accidental, unscripted moment of honesty, and he blurted out his real agenda.  That's what happened.  Joe's credentials are a hundred percent meaningless.

The matress police?  I thought everone knew about them.  They are the one's who come after you if you take the big floppy tag off your matress that says 'Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law.       I have never actually seen them as I am a good, law abiding citizen but I Know they are out there.  

Joa

Not quite right.  To smear (according to the dictionary) is to bring into disrepute, tarnish, discredit, or disgrace.  I believe the communication of this particular information at this particular time does in fact constitute what would be considered, according to the dictionary, a smear

joa

If so, it was/is unintentional.  Yet, I think Joe has done this all by himself.

My only point in bringing this whole thing up is that McCain made such a deal out of the average Joe the plumber as a prototypical hero of the potentially upwardly mobile middle class in the debate, yet the man misrepresents himself as a plumber (ask any bonafide plumber who has apprenticed, paid his dues, and obtained his masters license) and is (in fact) a person who does not pay at least some of his taxes...something I hear conservatives all the time whining about. 

It was McCain's campaign's lack of vetting that created this problem, not Joe the plumber who probably should have kept his mouth shut.  As I said earlier, its the same as McCain's lack of judgement regards Gov. Palin.  

I admit and noted I think Sen. Obama pandered to the middle class and his comment about wealth redistribution was unwise, but clearly telling.  Personally, I don't think its about wealth redistribution. Its about a sensible fiscal policy.

Listen everyone, this is a down and dirty campaign, coming to the last days...lets hope everyone tries to stay more honorable. And for God's sake, if your going to pick someone out of an audience to make into a hero do your homework first!

Be well.

Hello Mr Roberts,

I am uncertain.  I believe that the deep cuts for the wealthiest of our nation have served to undermine our budget deficit, as did relentless spending by the Bush administration on war and our war machine. I do think a more fair tax structure is necessary. You can call it a wealth redistribution if you wish, but I don't really see additional income to the federal government going back to the less well off except in the case of butressing social programs that enable people to sustain themselves and get on their feet.  I think we should all have to pay increased taxes and cut our spending. Right now, its the patriotic thing to do. I am for a balanced budget. Period.

Be well. 

How honorable is it to keep trying to confuse the issue with all this crap about Joe? He asked a question, one that a whole lot of people, not just him, wanted to hear answered.

And Obama answered it. That is the issue here.

Joe doesn't matter.  Joe is meanignless.  There is no Joe.

Sodaiho, I appreciate your apology.  Hypocrisy is a big pet peeve of mine.

My problem with your article and the whole deal of the media pouncing on "Joe" is this, does this really encourage free speech?  Does this encourage or discourage people from asking candidates questions when they get the chance?  To me it totally discourages.  Why would you open your mouth if you know you are going to get persecuted as a result?

"Joe" said he is "hoping" to buy the company.  He didn't say he bought it.  As far as his tax issues, I've had my share of IRS screwing up only to get a letter months or years later essentially say "sorry, our bad".  So referring to him as a "tax deadbeat" might in fact be misrepresentation.

Everyone's eagerness to discredit a guy who merely asked a question at a campaign spot and had him unwillingly thrust into the national debate is troubling.  Is the McCain camp going to be all over the waitress or restaurant owner Obama referred to on his campaign stop?  Do you have to be vetted before asking a question?

The question should stand on its own.  The way Obama answered should be judged by his words not by what all of his handlers' and supporters' interpretations of what he "meant".

What the hell, Senator McCain in a presidential debate mentions this guys name 23 times. The first words coming out of the debate commentators mouths were "the real real story of this debate is Joe the plumber", of course the media would be clambering over themselves to find out who "Joe the plumber" was. McCain through this guy to the wolves, Is that what he means by "I'll make em famous? If he wins he better make Joe the official White House plumber

No, I think Joe never had any idea how his minimal interaction would be used and abused by both contenders for the the advancement of their political campaign.  I also don't think he had any idea how his privacy would be invaded by the media or that he would become the topic of discussions all over the US.

Tonight, I am glad I am not Joe, the" idiot", "half baked", "not really a"," tax evading", plumber.  I am sure that I would buckle under the scrutiny. 

How sad that in our beloved democracy, a person can't open his mouth at a public gathering without wondering if he should have his lawyer present.

joa