Obama Speaks With Now Famous "Joe The Plumber" In Ohio

[nagone11]

He had his proverbial "15 minutes"!

[MirageScience]

wages have gone down because a minimum wage was put into place. If companies have to pay lower end workers more they cant pay everyone else more too. Not to mention many jobs were eliminated by a minimum wage because not all jobs are worth it. (example: help service telephone receptionist) Now you just get some automated crap.

[MirageScience]

Obamas' answer is yes.

[sleepytime1123]

if your making 250 grand a year, YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE IN TAXES YOU STUPID FUCK!

[MrTreantHugger]

@sleepytime1123 If you're making over 250 grand a year, you're most likely not a stupid fuck. The question is why? Why should they? Equality of opportunity instead of equability of results.

[StevXtreme]

Is it THAT hard to devise a SIMPLE-ASS tax formula that would allow people gaining 100% of the minimum wage (which could be set to... I dunno, 1000$) to pay 0 (ZERO) % tax while the INDIVIDUALS (NOT THE BUSINESSES) that gain 1000% be taxed... like 33.3%?

We all know that money brings money. Even if you are taxed to hell AS AN INDIVIDUAL you could still be making it to the big money, only slower.

Also, in this model, there's no need to have taxes AT ALL on businesses.

It's all in the math.

[aslynelf]

You don't need to institute a 40% sales tax to have a flat tax. (By the way, Americans already pay between 30%-35% in income and when the Bush tax cuts run out we will be paying close to 38%.) All you have to do is implement a 5% flat tax and eliminate all tax deductions. Also eliminate automatic tax withholdings from people's paychecks.

Then ,when we got our W2s, we just calculate 5% of our total income, write a check to Uncle Sam in that amount and send it in with a copy of our W2s.

[whmacleod]

i for one, do not want to pay higher taxes for those individuals who make less than i do just to make up the difference. i give to charities wll enough. everyone is where they are in life because that's where they want to be. poor people want to be poor and rich people want to be rich. i've worked hard for everything and never bitched about tax breaks. i don't think it's right that determined hard working people need to pay for lazy people.

[mp4vids]

When did all poor people want to be poor? Where is your proof of that? Just because you're poor doesn't make you lazy. I have known people in the Army who came from nothing to retire as a senior enlisted or senior officer. Oh and the best example was my wife who lived in a trailer that had plastic to cover the windows and the door just laid on the trailer to cover the entrance to now owning her own business. she was poor, but she never wants to go back.. Your judgement is wrong on poor people.

[whmacleod]

Actually my judgement is not wrong. Your wife is a perfect axample of it. You said she was poor but she worked hard and got herself where she is now. I should have made myself more clear. There are allot of lazy people that just want hand outs and now they are going to take money from you and your hard working determined wife. So, you proved my point in saying people want to be where they are in life.

[hanj4]

in my opinion we should all be taxed equally and America should just lower the spending limit. and also it might be true that you make 40,000 a year but if you were making 250,000 a year would you want your income cut almost in half to pay for someone else, like say some just sits on their ass all their life and doesn't care to work and is just lazy, (which is mostly the case) then why should i have to pay for them? I would understand if it were just someone like you or a small old person.

[grovernors]

Lol flat tax means no tax loopholes for corporate elites, thats why obama doesnt want it.

23% of ALL corporate earnings is alot more than 23% of joe the plumber wages, and mr small business owner. Lies could not be spun fast enough to hide money laundering that currently takes place, that is why we dont have a flat tax.

This is simply another pane in the glass ceiling for the middleclass.

All taxes that are not flat or unapportioned are unconstitutional.

[craiges2002]

Sorry folks, there is no need for discussion here. It's common sense that a person will not want to have higher taxes. But, if you are making over $250,000, you are living a much higher quality of life than the average American. You can afford to pay higher taxes while STILL living a much higher quality of life than the average American. I work my butt off for less than $40,000 a year. Why should anyone making this type of wage be taxed more than someone making 5 or more times this amount?

[Buckeye61]

I need to mention this as most Ameicans don't know the difference between revenue and profit, but after generating $250k of annual revenue, then you must deduct costs (salaries, materials purchased, etc...), taxes, fees, rent, etc... and at last you get to the EARNINGS. Which is also taxed if you payout dividends to shareholders. Whats left of all your "efforts" belongs to you. Until the next socialist gets elected and decides you have to much.

[MirageScience]

@craiges2002 In my opnion they should be taxed the same fixed rate to further support the american dream. If you don't like what you make now its because you didn't make the right choices before. I'm not saying taxes should go up for the little man either. I'm saying the government should spend less.

[Stalicone]

@craiges2002

Why is it any of your business how much ANYBODY makes? Who are you to determine what their quality of life is? Your view is narrowly focused based on YOUR experience. What about someone who lives and works in NYC? Are they ill? Have lots of kids? 250k is actually NOT a heck of a lot of money in a city where a 2 bedroom apartment costs 5k - 7k per month. But regardless, who the hell are YOU to determine what my "quality of life is?" Grow up and get your own - dont worry bout mine

[beatbangboom]

LOL! Wrong Joe/Sam, that "company," barely makes 100k a year.

[trjill]

HIDDEN In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist; And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist; And then they came for the Jews, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew; And then they came for me, And by that time there was no one left to speak up.

Let's CHANGE this saying TOGETHER.

And then they came for Joe the plumber and WE ALL spoke up.

McCain / Palin '08 A RE-POST

[Avithor]

trjill, how DARE you insult pastor niemoller's poem

joe is a hack who is giving a theatrical act for mccain to get the the middle class vote

Joe is used as a celebrity tool

it is now so obvious he was sent there on behalf of McCain campaign, don't know how people are eating this up, not to mention it does not relate to 99% of you(dont confuse income tax, 99% are under $250K, and capital gain tax, none for small businesses,so increases on individuals, not small businesses)

[Avithor]

and the fact that Joe nods in agreement with Obama on this and then goes and bitches everywhere about Obama on things Obama NEVER said(raising capital gains taxes) just shows you how much he is a pundent of McCain

[shaniafan]

Im sry theres a millions other Joes out their working their ass off and just because u are now at the top you refuse to look 10 years previously Joe Plumber when you wanted that tax break! Now ur bitching cause you don't want an increase you worked hard yadda yadda. This is a stupid tactic and the media is eating it out of their hands. Obama 2008!!

[eXcRaiNmaN]

I don't see how people don't think that people earning millions each year should be taxed higher than people making say 50k a year. Yeah they might work their asses off to make those millions, but so do the people who make 50k. Having more money does not mean you work harder or more, in a lot of cases it just means you were fortunate enough to fall into a good shitload of money situation.

[IamSimplySam]

Joe IS a Republican plant... Joe Six pack and Sarah Palin's nomination weren't theatrical enough, so McCain tried for a knock out punch with this dipshit, (who happens to be RELATED to Charles Keating. Premeditated enough?

I smelled 'set up' at Joe the EMPLOYEE's first stutter.

Nice try, John McShame... not all of us are that stupid. It's politicians like you that taught us that we have to stay on our toes and REALLY pay attention.

[minteko]

you cant stop the truth will set us really free lol dear u tube :)

[ledhead923]

i actually like how obama admits he is rich instead of playing the common folk card

[Overlord632]

....Joe was hired by Obama, lolol.

[1911arthur]

Joe's a republican plant. Court records show he only made 40,000 in 2006. He is a registered republican and owes back taxes.

He's a phony.

[phrympung]

i think Obama handled this well...a very wise man who knows what he is talking about...

[Hoopskidoodle]

Fuck Joe The Plumber.

That greedy bastard makes $250K/yr, but he's desperate to ass-rape anyone who might have the misfortune of working for me. If I was his employee, I'd rob him blind, screw his wife and poison his dog.

[KitsuneAkuma235]

You are awesome. XD

[kaizabala]

I wonder who he's voting for. hmmm

[mhirtes12]

LOOKS like he's going for McCain? Fellah, he was a McCain stooge from Day One!

1. Joe isn't even registered to vote

2. His "business" doesn't even make $250K a year

3. His brother is Charles Keating's Son-in-law (NO LIE)

Gee, a guy who's connected to Charles "S&L Scandal" Keating wanting one of "The Keating Five" to win the election. Whatta surprise!

[Overlord632]

Gee, Obama was with the "Weather Underground", who bombed judges, and other politicians.

Gee, Obama wants to higher Upper Class taxes. The Upper Class EARNS their money.

Gee, Obama will be charging himself!

Gee, Obama doesn't admit to #2.

Gee, McCain adfmited to the 5 thing.

[Ampyre]

wait, are you stupid or something? the upper class earns they money? please, most assholes in bmw's and cadi's are born into and easy life with no real problems and never know what it's like to suffer. and get your facts straight, the weather underground thing was happening while Obama was 8 years old, and if the dude is that big of a deal, he's a professor at a Chicago university, he obviously isn't a big deal if he's allowed to be a a teacher who shapes the minds of thousands of students

[Overlord632]

May I suggest something. Capital letters, and periods.

And, the man WAS convicted of attempted murder. Yes Obama was 8, but he was with the man. Years later, he endorsed the man for something. THEN Obama endorsed the ACORN voting system, who has been making FALSE voting names. (ACORN was also endorsing him back.)

Excellent judge of character by Obama.

[louis4louis]

Joe IS a planted Republican con-man the McCain campaign wants to use to discredit Obama's Tax Plan.

[Wanderlng]

From 36% to 39% increase on the TAX bracket of above 250k. It means you will get taxed a 3% additional. Doing the math, if Joe made 280k after deductions, 30k of 280k would be taxed at 39% or 3% more than normal.

280k - 250k = 30k

30k x .03 = $900

Joe would pay $900 more in taxes than previously.

That is less than half a percent (.3%) of his total profits.

Do hardworking Americans really forget where they came from once they get to the top? Say it isn't so, Joe.

[mmtzjr69out]

what happen to "SIX pack Joe?"

[osidehooligan]

All I can say is if Obama wins then Joe the Plumber will have an IRS audit pending in his future because how dare a simpleton plumber question 'The Chosen One.'

[dholmesnc]

Reply to Osidenhooligan:

Odds are Joe will receive an IRS audit whether Obama wins or loses b/c he stuck his hand up! No magic to choosing IRS auditees. There's a percentage of ppl that get audited just by happen stance. Get your name in the news, and you will be targeted by the IRS!

[uglybutstupid]

"He should remember how hard it is to survive on a low income."

If J the P gets his wish, and McCain wins, he won't have to remember...he'll be back there soon enough.

[rickheintz]

For every extra dollar Joe has to pay in taxes, the bearocrats in DC will take 50 cents and pass 50 cents to his customers who will then have to pay an extra dollar to Joe because he will pass on the tax hike to his customers. That's what highly skilled people do when they get a tax hike.

[jawnaw2000]

To Johnnyblista:

But remember, you shouldn't rely on tax breaks to become "financially stable." And, with tax refunds, I can't think of anyone who as received a tax refund jumping up and down shouting, "I gotta call Joe now to fix my pipes."

[schmoppi76]

Obama managed to answer Joe's questions clearly, concisely & pointed out the advantages that he would benefit from: his employees being better off, more potential customers being able to afford his business & the fact that under Obama's plan, he would have been able to build up his savings & business quicker. What's so wrong with 95% of Americans being better off? If you have $250,000, you're not on the breadline. He should remember how hard it is to survive on a low income. Don't vote McCain!

[johnnyblista]

What Barack could have explained is that under his plan, Joe's CUSTOMERS would be getting more money in tax breaks, therefore becoming more able and inclined to hire Joe for some plumbing. The more financially secure you are, the more likely you are to hire a plumber, rather than trying to do it yourself. Call it, "Trickle Up Theory" if ya like... It makes sense. It is logical. Joe would benefit financially from wealthier customers.

[wheaticus]

Yes, well said!

[MarkM517]

He did say that at the 4:33 point of the video... but sadly Fox News interviewed him and Joe's voting for McCain

[jazeyedgirl]

Barack did address that...at 4:29.

[JP1226294]

@johnnyblista its called keynesian economics, and yes it does work quite well...although it does have some problems, it has generally worked quite well throughout its relatively short history



[CaptVermont]

This conversation was nothing like what the media has portrayed it. It was incredibly thoughtful and well spoken.

This is not a spread the wealth program.

[bev1906]

Fuck Joe The Plumber