No wonder Joe the Plumber makes over $250k a year

[marisa1039]

Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable

HOLLAND, Ohio - Joe the Plumber's story sprang a few leaks Thursday. Turns out that the man who was held up by John McCain as the typical, hard-working American taxpayer isn't really a licensed plumber. And court documents show he owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes.

Comments

[hahayouredead]

How come any time someone poses a threat to Obama's political campaign their personal life is ripped up and exposed to the general public?

[marisa1039]

I'm not gonna feel bad for anyone bitching about more more taxes when they make over $250k a year. To me, he came across as sounding like a completely selfish douchebag. As far as his personal life, he opened that up the minute he put himself in the public eye. People Who Live In Glass Houses Should Not Throw Stones.

[singlebluenote]

It's also nice to know that people who are a facade can get checked out like that for whoever they are -- regardless of political persuasion. And its great that the internet is not just for porn. :)

[marisa1039]

It's not just for porn? Well, I have been wildly misinformed.

[hahayouredead]

First, Obama was walking around going door to door campaigning. If Obama approached me, I assure you I'd make the news too... Probably not the same kind of way that Joe the plumber did. My news appearance would most likely involve me being hauled away in a police car

[marisa1039]

I already considered the costs of a business, a few years ago when I worked as an assistant for my friend who ran his own construction company. Obviously I can't speak for Sean's painting business but my friend had enough money to pay me MORE than I made as a Legal Secretary, all his employees made around $5k a month, and his salary was something like $200k a year. He said the average cost per year to run his business was $800k. Before that, yes he was very selfless with what he walked away with every year. His hard work paid off. I'm sure right now he's bitching about Obama raising his taxes, but the dude just bought his 16 year old daughter a Mercedes for her birthday. I know for a fact that he can afford to pay more taxes than say my boyfriend over here, a waiter down the road

Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[hahayouredead]

Well the same factors that go into a construction business can also be applied to fast food franchises, mom and pop stores(A lot of gas stations are owned as franchise) etc. I can speak for the fast food/restaurant industries but only based on my 7 years of slaving my life away ...working there. The equipment is expensive, repair is expensive, and since they're all run from one central location there's utilities & rent to factor in as well. Then they have to pay their managers and pay the crew. Then there's all of the food and paper products they have to order (computer paper, bags, cups, etc) It's insane! A lot of those companies make over 250K a year, and are owned by individuals via franchise than a big company HQ. If they face a tax increase, the only realistic option would be to start getting rid of crew members and make it a lot more difficult for one to get a raise. I've known people that have worked there for their entire working lives. Some in their 50's. It's an honest living, like if your boyfriend were to be a server for

Re: Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[hahayouredead]

The current tax system isn't that great, let me start with that. I like the idea of the fair tax, personally. But there are so many factors involved with the current tax system that you could get lost for hours trying to figure it out. They tax you based on income, welfare is in there sometimes, social security, they tax the things you eat, drink, the things you purchase. Also, people fit into different categories, they even write off things you donate and, well, you see where this is going - EVERYWHERE! I can't even begin to sort it out

Re: Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[marisa1039]

Ya know we fundamentally agree on the same things, like how the current tax system is fucked! I've sat down and read up a lot about taxes because the year you referred me to TaxSlayer, I paid them but somehow they managed not to file my state taxes so I had to pay my taxes late that year, lol. It wasn't a big deal, they just sent me a letter and I sent a check and that was the end of that, not even a penalty. Anyway, that's when I decided to figure out how to pay my own taxes. Which is when I started to realize that the more money you make, the more money you can write off, and then the bigger refunds you receive. I couldn't figure out why I, a struggling hard working American had to PAY taxes every year, while my friend who made piles of money always got a REFUND. Again, this goes back to my idealistic way of thinking that if when I was struggling and got a REFUND, and whenever I start making money I'll expect to PAY, that I'd have a better opportunity to succeed

Re: Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[marisa1039]

Haha, I hit send before I was done. Anyway I was almost done. The last thing I wanted to add was I believe hard work pays off, but I can't attribute my success without giving credit to the following government programs: Medi-Cal, food stamps, and various school funded programs as a child, and Planned Parenthood as an adult. I strive to be the sort of person whose beliefs are aligned with my actions, and if they aren't, a good explanation as to why I'm being a hypocrite.

Re: Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[hahayouredead]

You're one in a million, that's for sure.

It's late and the tylenol pm is kicking in so if my words are ... weird, and my punctuation sucks.. or uh.. if I stop my thought process in the middle of a sentence... or if I start to ramble..

I must admit that if it weren't for handouts from government programs I would not be where I am today, it's been a long journey but I feel like I'm pretty successful right now, had a good job, saved money and quit, going to school, about to finish school. Anyway, the point is, I support what's helped me be successful in the past.

I'm glad there are gov't programs set up to help people when they need it, but my big problem is sometimes people abuse the system when they DON'T need it. It kinda screws the people who NEED help, weather it's finances, programs, etc... When there are so many "leeches" in the system getting money they don't NEED that leaves less to use to help OTHERS. They should really do a lot more, because if managed properly things like that would end being more beneficial.

Re: Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[marisa1039]

You always make excellent points, which is why I love you so much and warmly welcome your opinions

Re: Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[hahayouredead]

Well, I don't know exactly WHERE I went hardcore conservative republican, but there's no denying it got me!

You make great points, too. I love open minded people when it comes to this kind of thing. I think the best way to SEE the other side's point of view is to talk to someone ON that side, rather than from various media sites. I see what you're saying about the tax breaks and percentages, but you also have to keep in mind the media's dirty little secret: approx 70% of the people in this country even have to PAY income taxes.

You know John McCain is way sexier than Obama. ;) (ack ack ack)

Re: Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[marisa1039]

Okay, if this is a sexiness contest, nobody beats Sexy Sarah. OMG have you heard about the Hustler porno they're filming called "Nailin' Paylin"? AAAHHHHAHAHA

Re: Yikes. This has to be broken up!

[hahayouredead]

Okay, here's the line: Palin, Romney THEN McCain. (hahaha)

I must see this porno. O_O