OPINION: Joe the Plumber is right

Frank Gillispie

OPINION: Joe the Plumber is right

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Thursday, October 23. 2008

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When Barack Obama told Joe the Plumber that he wanted to “spread the wealth around,” what wealth was he talking about? And, where did the wealth come from?

Wealth comes in many forms. We can be rich in friendship. We can be rich in faith. Our lives can be filled with great art, or we can be blessed in love. But the wealth Obama discussed here is money, cash, greenback dollars.

Now money in itself has no value. It is just scraps of paper or bits of metal. Money is a medium for the exchange of goods and services. It is worth whatever it can buy, no more and no less.

So where does it come from. How is money wealth created? It is created by the hands and minds of workers who produce the goods and services on which its value is based. If you work in a sewing plant making shirts, the value of the shirts you make is expressed in the money you earn. If you drive the truck that delivers the shirts to the warehouse, and on to the store, your work adds to the value of the shirts. If you are the clerk who assists a customer in purchasing the shirt, your efforts are added to its value. That is where money comes from. The labor you and your fellow workers perform.

Now in an ideal world, you would receive in pay the value you create with your work. But that is not the case. A combination of government and big business entities conspire to take from you a major part of the value you create. They take it in the way of taxes, fees, fraud and corruption. As a result, you lose a major portion of the value you create with your work.

It is true that some of the value taken away from us is returned in benefits. Some of it goes to build roads and bridges, and we need those to get around this great country. Some of it goes to police, fire and rescue which keeps us safe in our homes and communities. Another part goes to finance the military that protects us from enemies who might try to steal away our freedom. That is money well spent.

When banks and other financial institutions charge us excessively high interest rates to borrow money, we lose that value. When thieves take the merchandise we create without paying, we all lose because the price of what we buy must be increased to cover the loss.

The most egregious abuse of our hard-earned money comes in the form of “spreading the wealth around.” When the value we create is taken away and given to people who do nothing to earn it, we are deprived of that value and receive nothing in return.

Now, I realize that some people need help from time to time. And I am never reluctant to assist when I have the ability to do so. We are a generous people. We have numerous systems for offering help. We have churches, civic organizations, direct aid. People who truly need our assistance can usually find it. But far too many people have decided to live on other people’s work without contributing any goods or services in return.

Nor am I objecting to the idea of “spreading the wealth around,” if that entails growing the economy so that everyone who wants and needs a job can find one. And the best way to do that is to allow the people who create the wealth to keep more of it for their own use. With more of our money left in our pockets for us to spend on goods and services other people produce, we will create a greater demand for those goods and services, which will result in more jobs.

Spreading the wealth around by taking from the producers of the wealth and giving it to non producers makes us all less wealthy. Joe the Plumber is right.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frankgillispie671@msn.com. His website can be accessed at http://frankgillispie.tripod.com/

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#1 Anonymous on 10/23/08 at 04:30 PM [Reply]

oh shut up blah blah blah

#1.1 Anonymous on 10/24/08 at 12:31 PM [Reply]

What an intellectual response. I'm sure that everyone was impressed by your charming and witty comment. Thank you, oh thank you for sharing such an impressive display of your I.Q.

You are obviously an Obama supporter. Only someone of such lofty intelligence could create such impressive proze.

Just in case you aren't bright enough to figure it out, this message is what's commonly referred to as sarcasm.

#2 Dan on 10/23/08 at 05:14 PM [Reply]

Joe the Plumber did what others tried but failed at. He was in his yard, Obama came downt his street, Obama met him... then when Joe asked a basic simple question, either Obama was not prepared, or caught off guard, either way, he stated, at the end, "spread the wealth". Now I agree with what you stated. Why should anyone, regardless of the amount they are "worth" by our standards of measurement, be required to give what they work for, to those that have not, or cannot do the same? If anyone was robbed at gun point, so thier wealth can be spread down to the criminals all of us would cry for justice. Where is the difference? Obama is not going to ask to spread the wealth, he along with Pelosi, Franks and others of like liberal mindset are going to "take" it from those who earned it, and spread it out to whom they see fit. Recently Franks was on the news, and was eager to say that their are many rich people that the government can take money from and spread it around. I wonder, does that include himself? Does it include other liberals that are also rich, such as Kerry? I think not, for they make the laws, without our knowledge, and they will ensure that they are protected.

I wonder what would happen, if the so called rich and large companies they often speak off, if they closed their doors, fired everyone, and took their wealth and transfered it off shore... who would Obama tax and share from then?

#3 hoodoo on 10/24/08 at 09:43 AM [Reply]

Frank,

Joe the Plumber is not licensed, either as a contractor or as a plumber.

For him to go into business as either would be an act of fraud.

#3.1 Anonymous on 10/24/08 at 12:25 PM [Reply]

...and exactly how does that change the fact that Obama couldn't answer Joe's question?

#4 Anonymous on 10/24/08 at 01:30 PM [Reply]

Obama couldn't properly answer Joe's question because Joe left out the facts. Joe said he was going to buy a plumbing business and be making $280,000 year. Joe didn't mention that he isn't licensed to be a plumber, that he makes less than $40,000 / yr., and he has a lien against his house because he hasn't even paid his property taxes.

The proper response to Joe's question was to tell Joe not to worry about paying higher income taxes because Joe isn't going to be making $280,000 next year because Joe isn't going to be able to buy the plumbing business because Joe doesn't make enough money to afford to buy the plumbing business, and, even if he did make enough, Joe still won't be able to buy the plumbing business because no bank will loan Joe any money because Joe has a lien on his house effectively freezing Joe's ability to get any credit until Joe shows he is responsible enough to pay his debts and pay his property tax. Even if Joe goes and robs a bank for a million dollars and buys the plumbing business anyway, Joe is still not going to make $280,000 / yr. because Joe isn't licensed as a contractor or a plumber.

Obama could then follow up and tell Joe that if he votes for Obama and Obama wins, Joe will benefit by getting the Obama middle-class tax cut for which Joe is eligible because Joe only makes $40,000 / yr (not $250,000) and with the money Joe saves from that tax cut, Joe will be able to pay his $1,200 property tax bill, thereby restoring his credit and putting Joe on the path to where he can actually realize his dream of BUYING THE BUSINESS!

There you go, Joe!

#4.1 JS on 10/25/08 at 08:34 PM [Reply]

Gee, the only thing that the libs can do it rip up an innocent citizen like Joe the plumber. Who cares if Joe doesn't have a license as a contractor or a plumber. Just because he brought up a valid point, the only thing that the libs can do is try and tear apart his character. Just answer the darned question anyway; it's all relative. Or is that just too tough for poor Obama? Gee, better protect him from answering any question that is too tough. Just proves how messed up the left is...and we are considering putting them in power????? THINK AGAIN!!!!

#4.1.1 Real_Licensed_Plumber on 10/26/08 at 03:26 PM [Reply]

The answer is right there. Obama will give Joe the not-really-a Plumber the tax break he needs so Joe will actually be able to keep his money and make his dream of owning a small business a reality. I want to buy a business, too. That's why I'm voting Obama!

#4.1.1.1 Sardonic Veracity on 10/30/08 at 09:57 AM [Reply]

Why would you vote for Obama to buy a business? Obviously you are too intellectually inept to understand the principles of finance. Keep on in your ordinary existence and enjoy the Obama welfare payments every year in your "tax return."

#4.2 Anonymous on 10/27/08 at 06:45 AM [Reply]

So, YOU think YOU could answer "Joe's" question...but the person you are supporting for president could NOT.

If the guy you want to run the country couldn't even answer a question that an everyday person could answer, how smart does that make Mr. Obama?

And how smart does that make you for supporting him?

And as far as your "answer" for Joe, you babble on about as much as most politians. Are you currently holding office? Your "answer" sounds just like all of the other bull that everyone is so sick of hearing from politians. If you aren't currently in office its a good bet you will be on the next ballot.

I'm sure all of the Obama supporters will vote you into office too.

#5 Anonymous on 10/27/08 at 12:09 PM [Reply]

Pay attention:

"Obama couldn't properly answer Joe's question because Joe left out the facts."

Once Obama had the facts, he answered the question. Thoroughly.

#5.1 Anonymous on 10/29/08 at 12:51 PM [Reply]

Really? I don't recall Obama answering anything about Joe the Plumber at all, forget about completely.

Lets a link to an article that actually DOES have Osama, er, Obama answering Joe's questions. IF you can find one, please share with the class.

#6 kevin w on 10/28/08 at 01:38 PM [Reply]

Only 6 days left for prayer. And an Eternity of regret if we fail to speak to God! Prayer can move mountains, why not Obama? Being dismayed recently when a family member of mine said to me with great resignation that Obama would take the presidency. These words came from someone who in the past has been a great prayer warrior. What is happening was my question? Why are we Christians settling and not issuing a battle cry and falling to our knees and taking our country back? We allow ourselves to be stripped of the right to pray at school functions and in school, we have the 10 commandments removed from government places and are told we cannot pray in school, all the while providing public prayer places for Muslims. What in the world is going on and why are we being apathetic? Why aren't we praying? Our God is a mighty God who is waiting patiently for us to raise our voices to heaven to stop the tide of the anti-Christ actions in our world today. Now we find we have a charismatic
candidate for president. Who does not respect our flag and refuses to wear one on his lapel except when it becomes politically expedient. And he also stated that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was the most radical teachings ever! He has made statements about the bible that are very disturbing to me and accuses the American people of clinging to our bibles and guns (well for me I am clinging to my bible and very happy to do so!) and whose own wife and pastor that he loves profess to have strong anti-white feelings. and we sit back and say "it is a given, we can do nothing." There has never been a time in 2000 years that we can do nothing, never a time that we must sit back and allow the evil in men's and women's hearts to take over our world. We should be very afraid because our apathy is leading us to perdition. It is time for all Christian Americans to raise the battle cry and take our nation back. Maybe McCain on his own cannot defeat Obama, but our God can and He will if we take to our knees in prayer and raise a mighty cry to the heavens to "Save us O Lord." We have the power to change the course of this election! And to keep a man as suspect as Barrack Obama from leading our country to who knows where with his message of "change"! - A change which I fear will be away from our Christian ideals and away from Christ! And further away from one nation under God! We are great at passing stories and pictures around the Internet, but where are our prayers and prayer warriors praying to stop this tide of Barrack Obama? God parted the Red Sea, Jesus raised himself from the dead, and we can bring our country back to its Christian roots and stop the move to the rise of Muslims in our country. We can stop our country from being "under Allah," but we must begin to pray, to pray as if our country and our lives depended on it, because they do. We can stop all these atrocities against God's commands that have taken root in our country through something as simple as sincere prayer, a call to God to deliver us, to forgive us our sins of apathy and to protect us from the evil that is upon us. Get the spiritual power working on our behalf and stop Barrack Obama the proper way, by calling on our God to save us from the deception that charismatic preaching is using to lead us on the wrong path. Stop those who would take God out of our country and our government. Raise up good men to lead us and protect us.
Remember Prayer Can.Move Mountains! If we continue to allow god to be removed from our schools, government ie; courts and such the devil will run rampant through out the land corrupting the people of this great country. and our children and grandchildren will not be able to worship the only true god of this world! at church Sunday we heard testimony from our college age kids about David and his strong prayer practices. he was able to call on god and get his prayers answered! albeit we (well I know at least me) are not anointed by god but we are appointed by god to witness and call out to him for his help in all things. and this election is the one thing that he is waiting to hear our prayers so that he can show us that he is powerful and mighty! And we must not forget to praise and thank him after he answers this prayer!

#7 Prayer Warrior on 10/28/08 at 02:47 PM [Reply]

This isn't about America...this is about Joe the Plumber! Where have you been? Some prayer warrior you are! Didn't you get the edict? You're wasting valuable prayer warrior energy on America when the rest of us are praying for Joe the Plumber! No wonder Joe's not a licensed contractor making the big bucks yet...we don't have a full team. Get with the program...it ain't about America...now stop wasting time and get down and pray for Joe!

#7.1 Anonymous on 10/29/08 at 12:55 PM [Reply]

Yep, stop wasting time talking about some blue collar worker! Nobody cares about someone like him anyway.

Lets not lose our focus here, this all about getting the first African-American elected president!

Stop wasting time talking about taxes, and policy, and health care or any of that CRAP!

And, honestly, if you aren't RICH and willing to give your money and support to our savior Obama, we just don't care to even hear from you, so keep your trap shut!

And don't forget to get out there and VOTE for our SAVIOR OBAMA!!!!

#7.1.1 kevin w on 10/29/08 at 01:44 PM [Reply]

YEAH WE CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT BOB THE BUILDER OR MIKE THE MECHANIC MUCH LESS SALLY THE SHOE STORE EMPLOYEE ! ITS ABOUT THE NEW BORN KING OBAMA ! THERE WILL BE NO CHRIST-MAS THIS YEAR BUT IT WILL BE REPLACED BY EITHER OBAMA-MAS OR HUSSEIN-MAS OR MAYBE EVEN BARACK-MAS BUT HE HAS NOT DECIDED WHAT HE WILL CALL HIS MOST HOLY OF HOLIDAYS ! BUT ALL THAT HAVE REGISTERED WILL GET A TEXT MESSAGE !

#8 Steve the Marine on 10/30/08 at 01:53 PM [Reply]

Joe the Plumber was a no-show for McCain in Ohio. McCain called out for Joe to "stand up" and then McCain realized he had been "stood up!" Joe was nowhere to be found...Joe abandoned McCain. Looks like Joe finally figured out it's OK to talk McCain up in the limelight, but in the privacy of the voting booth it's A-OK to Go Obama. Way to go, Joe!

#8.1 kevin w on 10/31/08 at 11:26 AM [Reply]

MCcAIN WAS MISTAKEN ON THE TIME THAT JOE WAS TO SHOW UP! Joe did in fact SHOW UP WHEN HE WAS SUPPOSED TO! LOOK HARD INTO OBAMA BEFORE YOU CAST YOUR VOTE FOR HIM ! HE HAS TIE TO THE FOLKS IN LEBBANON THAT KILLED 270 MARINES SEMPER FI !

#8.2 Sardonic Veracity on 10/31/08 at 02:44 PM [Reply]

I think you mistyped your name... shouldn't that be Steve the Moron?

Just wondering.

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OPINION: Joe the Plumber is right

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