Congratulations Joe. You're rich!

During the last Presidential debate, John McCain introduced us to "Joe the Plumber" in an embarrassingly obvious campaign tactic to promote "the average guy" and talk about how Barack Obama's tax policy would gravely impact their personal finances.  Joe was someone at an Obama rally earlier in the week who had a chance to ask the Senator a question, and his question was whether or not under Obama's plan, he would be taxed more. Turns out Joe isn't actually a licensed plumber, and he owes back taxes, but regardless...

The highlight of McCain's debate strategy was when, after talking about how Joe would be taxed more under Obama's plan because he (hypothetically) would be making more than $250,000 per year, McCain turned awkwardly toward the viewers at home and exhorted, "Congratulations Joe.  You're rich!" in a head wobbling sarcasm only the 72 year old campaign veteran could pull off with such wry cynicism.

Well, actually Joe - if you clear $250,000 a year, you ARE rich!  In fact, you will be making more than 95% of Americans.  The important point to remember is that 95% of Americans, including plumbers (the average income for a plumber in the United States is between $40-50,000) would benefit from tax relief under Obama's plan, while they would continue to suffer under McCain's standard Republican policy of tax breaks for the wealthiest corporations and CEOs, while cutting benefits for the middle and lower income majority of Americans.  Read more about McCain vs Obama on Taxes