# Joe the Plumber Jumps Shark **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 16, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271 "2008-10-16T21:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/1 "2008-10-16T21:18:41Z")
Joe the Plumber may be the first person to jump the shark within 24 hours of anybody knowing who he is, but he’s on the waterskis, Richie and Potsie are looking nervous, and… there he goes! Over the shark! Nice landing. It’s done. Nice knowing you, Joe. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/2 "2008-10-16T21:21:42Z")
Who the hell is Joe the Plumber? ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/3 "2008-10-16T21:23:47Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > Who the hell is Joe the Plumber? Exactly. ---
**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, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/4 "2008-10-16T21:34:52Z")
Joe isn’t the plumber you’re looking for. \ Everyone go about your business. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/5 "2008-10-16T21:39:21Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > Who the hell is Joe the Plumber? A tax-dodging unlicensed plumber who is afraid he’s going to have to dodge slightly higher taxes in the event that he finds himself making about five times what he currently is. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/6 "2008-10-16T21:43:37Z")
Oh. Well then, fuck him. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/7 "2008-10-16T21:53:47Z")
Didn’t you see the debate? He was mentioned by both candidates. He’s…well, just some guy who is, you know, a plumber. But…we wants to buy the plumbing company. (I think there was an article on him on CNN’s website earlier, but I’m too lazy to look it up. He basically talked to Obama about Obama’s plans for taxing, and somehow he got traction enough to be mentioned in the debate). -XT ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/8 "2008-10-16T21:54:21Z")
Seriously. Has anyone, in the history of taxation, ever thought to himself, “Being rich means paying a little bit more in taxes? The hell with that noise, I’m staying in the middle class!” ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/9 "2008-10-16T21:55:22Z")
Actually, I think his name is Sam. He spoke of Jesus today on CNN too. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/10 "2008-10-16T22:01:06Z")
I didn’t watch much of the debate, so I just want to be clear on the memes here: we’re supposed to worried about this man’s tax bill in case this supposedly everyman plumber ends up making more than $250,000 a year? _This_ is John McCain’s latest Hail Mary pass? “Won’t you shed a tear for people who make a quarter million a year?” ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/11 "2008-10-16T22:05:45Z")
> [@Orbifold](#): > > I didn’t watch much of the debate, so I just want to be clear on the memes here: we’re supposed to worried about this man’s tax bill in case this supposedly everyman plumber ends up making more than $250,000 a year? _This_ is John McCain’s latest Hail Mary pass? “Won’t you shed a tear for people who make a quarter million a year?” But it’s…complicated. He hopes to some day use his 50K a year job to buy his boss’s plumbing company (consisting of him and his boss). Somehow, he thinks he’ll be making over $250k a year from this. The fact that he’s three steps removed from Charles “wanna borrow my jet?” Keating is totally unrelated to any of this. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/12 "2008-10-16T22:06:28Z")
[QUOTE=Orbifold] I didn’t watch much of the debate, so I just want to be clear on the memes here: we’re supposed to worried about this man’s tax bill in case this supposedly everyman plumber ends up making more than $250,000 a year? This is John McCain’s latest Hail Mary pass? “Won’t you shed a tear for people who make a quarter million a year?” [/QUOTE] Um…no. What gave you that idea? The point is skepticism that it will ONLY be those making over $250k/year that would have tax increases. Not everyone is drinking that kool-aide and just believes it uncritically. Thus Joe The Plumber ASKED if his taxes would go up…and Obama responded. Sheesh folks, I can understand if you don’t like the guy, but let’s at least keep this real, ehe? -XT ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/13 "2008-10-16T22:09:35Z")
[QUOTE=Merijeek] He hopes to some day use his 50K a year job to buy his boss’s plumbing company (consisting of him and his boss). Somehow, he thinks he’ll be making over $250k a year from this. [/QUOTE] Do you have a cite that this was his position? Because I was under the impression that he was asking if his taxes would go up, and Obama responded that they wouldn’t. I’m unsure where this other stuff is coming from…though perhaps I didn’t see that part of the conversation. I only skimmed the CNN article this morning as it seemed amusing. -XT ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/14 "2008-10-16T22:13:56Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > Seriously. Has anyone, in the history of taxation, ever thought to himself, “Being rich means paying a little bit more in taxes? The hell with that noise, I’m staying in the middle class!” Probably not, although last year we were within $10 of being eligible for state provided medical insurance, so we’re keeping a close eye on the paystubs so as not to go over the maximum. Feels ridiculous, but if we make $10 \*less \*this year, we can save over $5500.00 in premiums, not to mention the $2500 deductible and 20% copays after that. Yep, we’re budgeting to be poor. Of course, if we get a good job offer which includes insurance, that plan will change. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/15 "2008-10-16T22:15:10Z")
My co-worker today mentioned that Joe the Plumber has already done more interviews and press conferences since the debate last night than Sarah Palin has since she was announced as the VP nominee. (Sorry, no cite, I didn’t get one from him.) There’s also the fact that he’s not able to vote (didn’t register in time) and is related to McCain’s good buddy Charles Keating. Yeah, I’d say he jumped. ---
**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, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/16 "2008-10-16T22:17:43Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Um…no. What gave you that idea? The point is skepticism that it will ONLY be those making over $250k/year that would have tax increases. Not everyone is drinking that kool-aide and just believes it uncritically. Thus Joe The Plumber ASKED if his taxes would go up…and Obama responded. > > Sheesh folks, I can understand if you don’t like the guy, but let’s at least keep this real, ehe? > > -XT Well, **xtisme** , we ARE trying to keep it real, by actually READING the articles posted, not skimming them, and using the actual words spoken by “Joe”. From that lefty-communist Fox news: > [@](#): > > Wurzelbacher, 34, told Obama that he was preparing to buy the plumbing company he works for, and that its revenues come to more than $250,000 a year. > > “Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?” Wurzelberger asked Obama in Toledo on Sunday. So no, xtisme, the point is NOT “skepticism that it will ONLY be those making over $250k/year that would have tax increases.” It has nothing whatsover to do with skepticism about when tax increases will kick in. It would seem to be more to do with the fact that “Joe” and/or Fox news is so stupid, they think federal taxes are based on a companies revenue, rather than the profit. Do you get it now? Try researching what is going on in the future before you jump in with stupid comments, mkay? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/17 "2008-10-16T22:22:28Z")
[QUOTE=Euphonious Polemic] Do you get it now? Try researching what is going on in the future before you jump in with stupid comments, mkay? [/QUOTE] I must have missed the link…_looks_…oh, no, I guess I didn’t. Since no one linked to it. Perhaps before being such an asshole next time you could simply point link to the relevant parts that I fucked up on and fight my ignornace. Or, well, you could just continue to be an asshole I guess. Thanks for playing though. -XT ---
**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, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/18 "2008-10-16T22:27:14Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > I must have missed the link…_looks_…oh, no, I guess I didn’t. Since no one linked to it. Perhaps before being such an asshole next time you could simply point link to the relevant parts that I fucked up on and fight my ignornace. > > Or, well, you could just continue to be an asshole I guess. Thanks for playing though. > > -XT There is not enough time in the known universe to fight your ignornace (sic). I rather expect that people will actually, you know, educate themselves on the facts before chiming into a discussion with: > [@](#): > > Sheesh folks, I can understand if you don’t like the guy, but let’s at least keep this real, ehe? But if you enjoy reveling in your ignorance, don’t let me discourage you. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/19 "2008-10-16T22:28:30Z")
BTW, here is the link to the [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/16/joe.plumber/index.html) article I read this morning…this is what the non-Fox article had to say: > [@](#): > > In his exchange with Obama, Wurzelbacher asked if the presidential candidate believed in the American Dream. Wurzelbacher said he was about to buy the plumbing company that he works for and was concerned that Obama would tax him more because of it. > > Families making more than $250,000 could see taxes go up under Obama’s middle-class tax cut plan, while those making less than $250,000 would not see any increase. > > Obama explained his tax plan in depth to Wurzelbacher, saying it’s better to lower taxes for Americans who make less money so they can afford to patronize his business. > > “I think that when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody,” Obama told Wurzelbacher. See? A link…AND a quote. AND…I don’t see where it says anything about if he’ll be taxed more if he makes $250k/year. What he SEEMS to be asking is if his taxes will go up because he’ll own a small business…nothing about the other. So, you know, fuck you and all that…oh, and stick the research thing firmly up your ass. This being the Pit and all I feel compelled to put in this last bit…it’s strictly pro-forma… -XT ---
**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, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271/20 "2008-10-16T22:46:48Z")
In other words… “Wahhhhh, fight my ignorance for me with tidy little quotes and links. It’s all your fault that I’m ignorant!” We seem to be hearing a lot of that lately. Apparently it’s Obama’s fault that McCain went negative too. In conclusion, bite my goat. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-jumps-shark/468271.md?page=2)