# Does "Joe The Plumber" have a PAC? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 16, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142 "2008-10-16T03:08:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/1 "2008-10-16T03:08:11Z")
A couple of weeks ago I donated a couple of thousand to the “Joe Six Pack” PAC. Now I find out the he’s no longer the poster drunk for the Republican campaign. Now I have to donate to the “Joe The Plumber” political action campaign. Does anybody have a website? I am committed to absolutely supporting the lowest common denominator. While the Straight Dope is committed to fighting ignorance, I want to help establish the bottom line. Raise me up and I’ll raise you up. Go Joe! ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/2 "2008-10-16T03:10:19Z")
Calm down and think it over: how does Joe Six Pack earn the money to pay for his beer? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/3 "2008-10-16T03:13:50Z")
I don’t know, but I’d bet there will be about 1,000 garage bands tomorrow who rename themselves “Joe the Plumber.” ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/4 "2008-10-16T03:24:21Z")
Maybe I don’t get it… is a plumber the lowest common denominator? Is it because it is a job that you wouldn’t do? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/5 "2008-10-16T03:26:52Z")
How long before the media tracks down this guy and analyzes his finances? I expect to see articles about him in the papers within three days. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/6 "2008-10-16T03:27:47Z")
Is he one of “My Friends?” ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/7 "2008-10-16T03:29:21Z")
Where are the PAC contributions deposited? The butt crack? ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/8 "2008-10-16T03:31:17Z")
> [@keturah](#): > > Maybe I don’t get it… is a plumber the lowest common denominator? Is it because it is a job that you wouldn’t do? No, no, no, you’re taking it wrong. Plumbers make more than doctors. That’s where the money is. I just want to donate to today’s Masters of the Universe as anointed by McCain. “Joe the Plumber” is the heartbeat of America and as denominator go, that’s pretty low. Joe Six Pack is as “yesterday” as Mitt Romney. Why didn’t McCain make Joe the Plumber the VP candidate instead of that airhead hockey mom? JTP is my kind of guy! ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/9 "2008-10-16T03:38:29Z")
Some famous American said that plumbers are as important as philosophers. Both your pipes and your theories ought to hold water. ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/10 "2008-10-16T03:51:36Z")
Ummm we all know that plumbers make way more money than the rest of us don’t we? Anybody with a real good site for plumber wages? Not that I begrudge them their pay. The whole not chewing on your fingernails after working on a job would kill it for me. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/11 "2008-10-16T03:55:55Z")
> [@keturah](#): > > Maybe I don’t get it… is a plumber the lowest common denominator? Is it because it is a job that you wouldn’t do? Joe the Sanitation Worker just doesn’t scan well. ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/12 "2008-10-16T03:59:13Z")
> [@Spartydog](#): > > No, no, no, you’re taking it wrong. Plumbers make more than doctors. That’s where the money is. I just want to donate to today’s Masters of the Universe as anointed by McCain. “Joe the Plumber” is the heartbeat of America and as denominator go, that’s pretty low. > > Joe Six Pack is as “yesterday” as Mitt Romney. > > Why didn’t McCain make Joe the Plumber the VP candidate instead of that airhead hockey mom? JTP is my kind of guy! Now I am really confused–plumbers usually make a decent wage (from drive , desire and mentorship)…and they do not have to pay the incredible student loan payment that doctors have to pay.. So who is the lowest denominator? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/13 "2008-10-16T04:03:56Z")
> [@keturah](#): > > Now I am really confused–plumbers usually make a decent wage (from drive , desire and mentorship)…and they do not have to pay the incredible student loan payment that doctors have to pay.. So who is the lowest denominator? Lobbyists. If you mean who has the shittiest job, migrant fruit pickers. ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/14 "2008-10-16T04:05:52Z")
It can’t be worse than the alternative–or else they wouldn’t be doing it, right? ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/15 "2008-10-16T04:07:23Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > If you mean who has the shittiest job, migrant fruit pickers. Oh really? When was the last time you heard of a migrant fruit picker killed by arguing with a parrot? ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/16 "2008-10-16T04:45:37Z")
Hey, my brother-in-law lives in Kansas City and was a Master plumber for most of his life. He made a decent living, though he didn’t get rich by any means. He had to change jobs recently because being a plumber is absolute HELL on your body and it was starting to wear him down. Oh and, he’s just about as liberal as you could possibly imagine. He even bought a old truck once because it had a bunch of cool liberal stickers on it. He’s taking the day off on election day so he and my husband can ferry people to the polls. Not all plumbers, even the best ones, are rich, or conservative. Or named Joe. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/17 "2008-10-16T04:54:43Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > How long before the media tracks down this guy and analyzes his finances? I expect to see articles about him in the papers within three days. According to CNN, Joe the Plumber is a real guy who asked Obama a question last weekend. Apparently “Joe” wants to buy a plumbing business that makes over $250,000/year, but he does not want to pay more taxes. Obama basically told him that that’s the way it would be, but the guy was miffed. So… he wants to buy a company that makes over $250,000/year PROFIT. I doubt he’s getting a friendly bank loan these days, so he has, what,… about $2,500,000 to invest in a business? (That assumes a 10% ROI for a plumbing business - I have no idea what it really should be) You know… I don’t really feel very sorry for Joe the Plumber. He’s apparently doing pretty good compared to me. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/18 "2008-10-16T05:13:59Z")
> [@Euphonious Polemic](#): > > You know… I don’t really feel very sorry for Joe the Plumber. He’s apparently doing pretty good compared to me. It’s all the fault of them damn socialist [plumbers’ unions](http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/plumber.htm): > [@](#): > > Wages paid union Plumbers vary > among union locals and are usually stated in terms of basic wage rates, plus employer contributions to retirement funds and other employee benefits. Journey-level pay ranges from $28.00 to $37.00 per hour. Union apprentices usually start at 35 to 50 percent of the basic hourly level wage, plus fringe benefits. > > The work week for union Plumbers varies with the union local. Most Plumbers work a 35- to 40-hour week. Overtime is usually paid at double the regular basic rate. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/19 "2008-10-16T05:23:50Z")
I still don’t really get the point of the “Joe the Plumber” story. He wants to buy a plumbing business, and is concerned about Obama’s tax rate for over 250k. But that’s an income tax, right?, its not going to be the same as whatever taxes are leveled on the profits of a plumbing company, right? Alternatively he was worried about the taxes on his current income preventing him from being able to afford to but the business in the first place, but that doesn’t make much sense either. Using **Kimstu’s** numbers I get something like 80k a year at the upper range for a plumber, so unless he’s some sort of super plumber to celebrities that’s paid three times the average, he’s presumably not making enough to be affected negatively by the proposed tax. Anyone know the deal with this latest incarnation of the American Everyman. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142/20 "2008-10-16T05:42:51Z")
> [@keturah](#): > > Maybe I don’t get it… is a plumber the lowest common denominator? Is it because it is a job that you wouldn’t do? Well, cleaning drains and septic tanks is better suited for people with few aspirations. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-joe-the-plumber-have-a-pac/468142.md?page=2)