Like many of you, I suspect, I thought both McCain and Obama’s constant invocation of “Joe the Plumber” to be rather gimmicky. However, there are some important issues that have come up since, related to Joe, which kind of make Joe the Plumber look a little questionable:

1. He’s not a plumber. Turns out, he’s not even a licensed plumber in the State of Ohio, or the county, or city where he works. I think Joe just made a lot of enemies from actual, licensed plumbers in Ohio. And probably some customers.

2. Joe’s taxes would only have gone up $900. I would also add that frankly, if Joe is making $250-280k per year, *I* would consider that to be doing quite well and I think he could afford another $1k in taxes. That is, if he were actually a plumber. John McCain can take his smarmy “You’re rich, Joe” comment and shove it. In these uncertain economic times, I know a whole lot of people who’d be very pleased to be making $250-280k.You know who *is* rich? John McCain. So stop with the feigned indignation, Senator McCain.
It seems to me to be quite clear that what Joe really needs isn’t McCain’s tax plan. He needs an accountant. I would be willing to bet that if he’s figuring his own taxes, given his failures to obtain a plumbing license, he’s probably overlooked some valid deductions, and that a good accountant could probably erase that $900 increase… maybe even _lower_ his taxes. That is, if he were actually a plumber.

Disclosure: I have a plumber in my extended family. A *licensed* *union* plumber.

Dear Sen. McCain:

With all due respect, I’m not your friend. I’m a voter. Every time you say, “My friends” I think you’re trying to sell me something I don’t want to buy. It gets a little sleazier each time you say it.

I don’t want you to be my friend and I don’t want to be yours. I don’t want you to attack the opposition and dance around questions: I want to hear about *your* policies, and I think most American’s do, too. It would appear you’re all out of ideas and since the Straight Talk Express went over the cliff some time ago, all you’ve got left is a bottle of vitrol you’re trying to sell us as a campaign.

Please, give it a rest, my friend.

-Dave!