The last presidential debate revealed a
brand new American Icon. Republican hopeful John McCain spoke of “his
good buddy, Joe the plumber,” on numerous occasions taking
every opportunity to try to lambaste Senator Obama’s tax plan.
Apparently the McCain campaign still hasn’t quite figured out the
vetting process. I will admit that poor Joe the plumber has probably
had more scrutiny than went into the Vice Presidential pick, but
unfortunately for the McCain camp the results are not dissimilar. It
turns out that Joe the plumber, aka Joe Wurzelbacher isn’t even a
licensed plumber in the State of Ohio. He and one other guy, make up
the business in which McCain portrayed as being something Joe longed to
buyout. It also turns out that Joe the plumber owes back taxes to the
State of Ohio.
Aside from the rather unfortunate fame Joe has now acquired, the
bigger point here would be that Joe the plumber, as a mythical figure
seems to somehow lend creedence to the American dream and give the
Republican guy some kind of boost. The reality is that Joe the
plumber, along with his boss, oh and the “company” itself, would
actually benefit from Senator Obama’s tax plan while suffering under
the McCain plan. Yet somehow, millions are going to associate Joe the
plumber with Republican America.
Herein lies the beauty of the Republican party. They care not who
they step on to get what they want. The very people they typically do
not support they manage to thrust into the limelight as people on their
side! I’ve said before that appearances would suggest that the ignorant
and naive tend to support the Republican party (plus the very rich and
corporate). Poor Joe is another pawn in the McCain/Palin spectacle.
Poor Joe, if he has his way, he’ll be poorer in four years than he is
now and apparently be content with such wealth.
