From American Dream to Unemployed, Thanks to Barack Obama
Pay attention, folks. This lesson is important.
The progressives have made a very definitive statement today. They have said that if you dare to speak out against their Chosen One, they will not only smear you and broadcast the details of your life to the world but they’ll also deprive you of your livelihood.
A couple of days ago, Joe Wurzelbacher was just a regular guy with a house and a son and a dream of one day seeing his hard work pay off with a better life. Then Barack Obama showed up in his front yard. Now, thanks to the Obamessiah’s brownshirts, he is likely to lose his job as a plumber.
Wurzelbacher registered as an apprentice with the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council in November 2003, according to Dennis Evans, spokesman with the Department of Job and Family Services. Records show his training, which was sponsored by A & W Newell Co. of Toledo, should have been wrapped last year.
“We don’t have a record of completion,” Evans said. “All we know is that he registered in the program and has gone through to the point where we should have record of completion, but we don’t.”
And that’s not the only record that’s missing from Wurzelbacher’s file. He doesn’t have a plumbing license required by the city of Toledo to practice, according to a staffer with the Toledo Division of Building Inspection. Wurzelbacher, who now works for Newell Plumbing & Heating Co., said the owner, Al Newell, has a plumbing license and that “because he works for someone else, he doesn’t need a license.”
But even that’s not true, according to the Toledo Division of Building Inspection. Wurzelbacher can’t legally do plumbing work without a license, regardless of his boss’s certification.
A staff person with the Toledo Division of Building Inspection told On Call this afternoon that her division will contact Wurzelbacher to notify him that he can’t work without a license.
“We’re trying to track him down,” she said.
Ace says this is the doing of “Toledo officials” but it isn’t. They’re just doing their jobs. They would have had no reason at all to look into Wurzelbacher if someone hadn’t dropped the dime on him. It could have been one of those self-important union jerks quoted in the article. It could have been one of Obama’s blogger mob. Heck, it could even have been a journalist. But someone squealed and demanded that Plumber Joe be investigated.
I’m going to lay this at Barack Obama’s feet. He’s not oblivious to what the left-wing blogs nor the MSM are doing. At any point he could have contacted a reporter or two, maybe a couple or three bloggers, and told them to lay off. He could have called off most of the dogs in a hot second and it would have taken him no real effort at all. Heck, he could have had one of his people – David Axelrod, say – make the calls and it would have taken him mo more effort than a short conversation.
But he didn’t. He let this continue. In a day or so someone will ask him about it and he’ll feign ignorance or innocence or whatever ploy happens to be getting him out of the spotlight that day. In the meantime, Joe Wurzelbacher’s going to end up without a job. And he didn’t do a damned thing but disagree with Barack Obama.
Doesn’t this make you even a little angry? It makes me bloody furious.
The Anchoress says that Obama has told the entire country “…don’t dream too big. Don’t dare to dream too big, because if you do, we’re just going to chop you down to size, so that everyone is the same” It would have been bad enough if he had stopped there. But he let the mob rage and plot.
And now…this.
I wonder if he’s proud of what has been done in his name? I wonder if he’s smiling right now?
(via Hot Air)
UPDATE: You want to know what Barack Obama was doing instead of calling off his rabid mob? He was making fun of Plumber Joe.
Yeah, I’m positive he’s smiling right now.
UPDATE 2: Thanks to Stacy McCain, Jim Treacher, and Fireweed Nectar (Welcome to the world of blogging!) for the links. This is a big deal and we need to get the word out.
Other Posts of Interest:
- Fact-Checking the Angry Progressive Mob
- Obama is Grazed by Friendly Media Fire, Shrieks Like a Little Girl.
- Digging Dirt on Joe the Plumber (Updated..And Bumped, for Maximum Joementum)
Category: Free Speech (?), The Obamessiah
Do you think the fact that Senator McCain gave this guy's first and last name (even though he mispronounced it) during Wednesday's debate and then referenced him over and over again, might have contributed to his "getting busted"? Also, if Joe was able to buy his boss' company like he said he wanted to, Obama's plan would not increase his taxes because the company made less than $250,000 last year. McCain brought this all up to incorrectly say that Joe's taxes would go up. Maybe he should have let Caribou Barbie explain it.
Not by a long shot, Bill.
I work in State Government. Trust me. No one, but no one is so bored that they'll launch an investigation based on something they saw in a TV debate.
Someone called in and made a complaint. Bet on it.
And you do of course realize that he didn't claim to make that much money. He said that he could make that much money. Which is true. he certainly could.
Well, not now, since the leftist mob used the power of government to hound him out of work.
So, you're okay with what's happened to him today?
Joe is a liar and a neocon plant. Sorry he got busted, but Karma can be cruel at times.
I feel sorry for him. This story going public is totally on John McCain. Joe created his problem by not being licensed to do his job. McCain pointed his finger at Joe, for all the wrong reasons, and the press did the rest. If you were doing something illegal in your government job, you might work your whole career and never get caught. But if a presidential candidate gives your full name, your occupation and what state you work in to a national TV audience, you are toast. Unfortunately, so is Joe.
Rob, you're a liar and not a very smart one either. Just looking at what happened in the conversation between he and Obama proves that he wasn't a plant.
Bill, I feel sorry for him, too. He should never have been the subject of the progressive mob. What was done to him is antithetical to liberty and it has no place in America. None at all.
However, the story was out well before John McCain said a word. But, by your logic, any time a candidate mentions anything a private citizn says, it's okay to destroy that citizen's life?
The Axelturfing isn't working anymore, guys. We're onto you.
@ Rob: neocon plant? read here how they planted him:
http://minx.cc/?post=275818
and when you're done reading that, get an effing grip and pay attention to what you're supporting–and that under an Obama regime after your usefulness fades you won't be able to speak as freely as you did here.
He's breaking the law by doing plumbing work without a liscence – no doubt undercutting the wages of liscened plumbers, and we are supposed to get out the violins?
He's a frickin' undocumented worker. And fer chrissakes, if you want to sympathize with him and blame someone for putting him in the arena, in the middle of a heated campaign, then blame John McCain. He is the one that made this guy's testimony an issue in the campaign.
Nonsense, Pat. You don't know for sure that he shouldn't be working. There's the distinct possibility that what he's doing isn't wrong at all.
However, that's beside the point. The point, which you seem intent on missing, is that Barack Obama let slip that he's just another mundane, run of the mill socialist, just like the other mundane, run of the mill socialists that Democrats have been popping out for years. He's not special. He's not The One.
And that has to gall you to no end.
[...] The Sundries Shack [...]
Even if Joe Wurzelbacher were an undercover agent for the Alaskan Independence Party who was cloned from Charles Keating's DNA, how would that change Obama's answer to his question?
[...] tactics of National Socialists and have no place in our society. The following is taken from the Sundries Shack and worth spreading far and wide. Pay attention, folks. This lesson is [...]
LMAO. So the idea is that Joe decides to get on TV saying he's a plumber, when he's not licensed to be doing that. Then nothing happens. Then McCain names him and refers to him a dozen times on national TV. Then he becomes a nationwide media story. But until someone "drops a dime on him" the plumbers union wouldn't have wondered who this guy is?
Oh and the candidate who's clearly to blame in this whole scenario for the guy getting looked into is….. Barack Obama.
If you're going to kid yourself that hard, just lie already. Make something up. Hell, say you've got a recording of Michelle Obama making that phone call. LOL
Kilo, you really didn't read any of my post, did you? If yuo had, you wouldn't have written this.
Really.
You said there was no reason anyone would be looking into him unless "someone dropped a dime". It's the first paragraph after your quote. The next paragraph starts "I'm going to lay this at Barack Obama's feet".
Are you suggesting you cannot recall writing that paragraph or that you cannot see a connection between it and what I wrote ?
The man chose to get on TV challenging Obama with his own story which he embellished in every single faceat of how he described it. This was dumb only from the point of view that if you're an unlicensed plumber you really shouldn't tell people you do plumbing on TV, and then even less so when in conversation with someone you know is going to make major news.
However, absolutely nothing happened as a result though.
Then he got cited by name by McCain who brought him up a dozen times in a national debate. Immediately following this, in a move that surprised nobody anywhere, the media focused on him. Public records reveal he's neither licensed, been working for 15 years in plumbing, able to take over the business, nor that it could bring in $250k.
In between then and now, McCain has also released an advert I've only seen referred to as the "Joe The Plumber Ad".
So, why don't you explain what exactly I've missed about your post where Obama is in any way responsible for this man's situation at all, and how he could be to a greater degree than first Joe himself and then McCain second. Go for it.
How, exactly, did he "choose to get on television"? Barack Obama came to him, in his yard. Television came to him, while he was minding his own business playing football with his kid. He asked a very simple question and Barack Obama gave a stupidly honest answer.
That answer is what made this a story. Had Obama just spat out a talking point answer like he had a bazillion other times this campaign, there would be no story. No, he had to go and pull back the mask on his banal socialism and give his opponent a very potent weapon.
That is Barack Obama's fault and he has a responsibility to own up to it isntead of letting this average guy take his flak.
It's also his fault that he's not lifted one finger to rein in the mob. I believe I wrote two paragraphs about that fact. Instead, he's making jokes about it on the campaign trail. See the update for that.
Jimmie,
The left simply MUST do everything they can to distract from the real issue, which is the words that came out of Obama's mouth of his own free will.
Therefore, to them, everything is about Joe Joe Joe!!! Look see this shiny penny!!!
But it's too late. Toto has already pulled back the curtain and exposed the socialist behind the curtain.
How, exactly, did he “choose to get on television”?
He's explained this himself. Why would you ask me ?
He's said he heard the questions Obama was answering with others, didn't think much of them and wanted him to answer his own question.
Clearly you've not actually heard him describe this since this is twice you've said Obama sought him out and not the other way around.
Your "Fact Check on Joe" is disputed by Joe. Now that's an achievement.
He asked a very simple question and Barack Obama gave a stupidly honest answer. That answer is what made this a story.
Correct. But not a big story. Hence nothing happened as a result other than this exchange got talked up on right wing blogs. I'm not going to bother explaining this again, memeorandum has a timestamp history function anyone can verify this with.
On the other hand, what put Joe in every media outlet you can poke a stick at was him being referenced 2 dozen times in a debate.
Hence all this looking into him happened after the debate and not before.
Either you want to say it was Obama that made him a centrepiece of that debate or you know this, you're just not honest enough to admit it.
Had Obama just spat out a talking point answer like he had a bazillion other times this campaign, there would be no story. No, he had to go and…
Yeah that's not an improvement from you. I've asked you twice how it is that Obama is more responsible for this man's life getting examined by the media.
You're now explicitly saying that it's Obama's fault because he provided the sound-byte that right-wing blogs and McCain have publicised ever since, now to the detriment of Joe The Plumber's career.
Do you really not see how that's you agreeing with me ?
That is Barack Obama’s fault and he has a responsibility to own up to it isntead of letting this average guy take his flak.
Own up his responsibility for talking to an average guy who the right-wing then turned into a household name, who's now suffered because he's in the media spotlight and no longer an average guy. Gotcha.
Yeah, do you think you should maybe take a minute to think about what you're writing ?
Basically the only thing stopping you agreeing with me is your inability to acknowledge your responsibility here. I mean FFS, you're doing this while McCain is releasing "Joe The Plumber" adverts. Could you be any more dishonest ?
Kilo, what part of "it was his own yard" don't you understand?
Nevertheless, you claim he "sought out television". You expect me to believe that a citizen of the United States who asks a candidate for President a question while standing in front of his own house is somehow seeking out the media spotlight and deserves to have his life trashed? That's simple nonsense.
On your second point, I have answered your question in two different ways. You just refuse to accept either as an answer. I will rephrase. Joe asked a question. Period.
Barack Obama gave the stupid answer that made this a story. If he had given one of his trademark banal answers, this wouldn't be a story at all, especially because it was being reported int he news before John McCain used it in his campaign Second, Obama had it well within his power to call back most, if not all, of the dogs off of Wurzelbacher. He not only didn't do it, but he piled on by making fun of him.
He needs to own up to the fact that it was his ill-advised answer that fueled this, not the question or the questioner.
Let me give you analogy that I hope you can get your head around. Imagine a football game where the running back fumbles the ball and someone from the opposing team picks it up and runs it back for a touchdown. Whose fault is it? Is it the defensive player's fault for playing good defense? It is the fault of the man who tackled the running back for doing what he's supposed to do? No, of course not. It's the fault of the running back for fumbling the football. You won't find a single person even remotely familiar witht he game who would say otherwise.
Barack Obama fumbled the football. You're blaming everyone else but him for it. Get real.
Kilo, what part of “it was his own yard” don’t you understand?
Well we could start with the press description of him being approached on the street talking with a whole lot of people who didn't live at Joe's place. Probably move on to the video that's everywhere of people 5 deep behind him. Stuff like that.
What is your understanding of it other than this is a description you've heard somewhere and have repeated it ?
Barack Obama gave the stupid answer that made this a story. If he had given one of his trademark banal answers, this wouldn’t be a story at all, especially because it was being reported int he news before John McCain used it in his campaign
Yes and how was it that this was treated by "the news" ? It was reported on the blogs of a couple of news sites on his bus. Then Fox and the NY Post picked it up, gave it the OMG HES A KARL MARX treatment and then the blogs took over.
As you say, that's when the McCain campaign decided Joe the plumber should become a major story.
Second, Obama had it well within his power to call back most, if not all, of the dogs off of Wurzelbacher.
No, you've stuffed that up. What dogs? What Obama? You've talked about McCain picking this up a couple of days before the debate when his campaign were talking the story up. No sign of anything but right-wing talking points involved so far.
You've gone from the bit where nobody knows who Joe is and skipped right to the post-debate media coverage interest in him. Wonder why that is.
He needs to own up to the fact that it was his ill-advised answer that fueled this, not the question or the questioner.
We did this part already. You think Obama should apologise for giving an answer to a voter which the right-wing blogs, press and the McCain campaign used to put this guy into the public spotlight, which put his job at risk.
Looks as convincing now as it did then.
Let me give you analogy that I hope you can get your head around. Imagine a football game where the running back fumbles the ball and someone from the opposing team picks it up and runs it back for a touchdown. Whose fault is it?
This is the most awesome blog post ever. Hands down.
Barack Obama fumbled the football. You’re blaming everyone else but him for it. Get real.
Yeah he did. Then you guys ran with that football for 3 whole days in the other direction, did a touchdown dance are now blaming the other team for you scoring.
Best.Ever.Hands.Down.
Kilo, you are spending so much time looking at the tress you can't see the forest.
Look at Treacher's reply above. None of those details you are arguing in order to discredit Joe Wurzelbacher, none of them matter at all. What people have a problem with is Obama's answer, what other people are avoiding by focusing on JW.
Bring yourself to forget all about Joe and think about Obama's answer. For people who make above 250K$, they should expect to be taxed more. The results? Here:
1. Those people/businesses who are taxed more because they make more in many cases may not be able to pay the salaries of their staff, buy suppplies, pay contractors, etc., thereby causing them to cut back in a bad way or shut down entirely.
2. The money taken from them, cleverly referred to as "taxes," will be used for programs to reward or support people who did nothing to earn it. Hence the expression "redistribution of wealth."
Not to insult your intelligence but what you seem to insist on not realising is that millions of people across this country care more about this distribution of wealth issue than whether Joe is operating without a license, or is allowed to because he works under someone else, &tc. In real life we have to choose our battles and I for one am not going to take up the fight over some guy in Ohio because he owes bloody 1800$ in back taxes. I'm more concerned with what Barack Obama wants to do with the money of this country's hard working citizens, money THEY earned but under his system will have no say in how it is spent. But that disgrace is being ignored because people like you are too busy distracting Americans with your hatefulness directed at a guy trying to bootstrap himself.
Are you even aware that something like 35% of people in this country don't even pay taxes? That means that the money stolen from Americans will result in others getting all their tax money back PLUS an extra fat check at the expense of people who worked for it.
It's punishing people who worked hard for what they have–in some cases by making them lose everything–and rewarding people who are content to play a parasitic role in society.
If someone doesn't want to work, that's their business. But I'm not willing to support them. And THAT is what this is all about, not some guy in Ohio.
I'm also infuriated that this man's life is being destroyed because he asked a question that needed to be asked, whether it applied to him or millions of others. I'm outraged that the MSM (and you, apparently) have the initiative to trash his life in the course of ONE DAY but are completely willing to give a pass–nay, not even bother to investigate–the shady and frightening details of a man who wants to run this country.
I'm with Jimmie–the tactics Barack Obama is employing now to shut this man up are criminal and completely anti-American. We have a tradition of free speech here, and an amendment to protect it, but the thugs in MSM and some in the blogosphere seem bent on destroying that, and you're helping them.
I think that you've been drinking way too much kool aid 'my friend'. It was Sen. McCain who launched the fictitious plumber into the limelight. It was McCain who told the fairytale fable of Joe the plumber who wants to buy a business who actually isn't a plumber and doesn't make 250k/year.
It's not Sen. Obama's fault that the press wanted to know more about this "Joe the Plumber" or Joe "Six Pack" that McCain was using to make a point.
As it turns out, he's not a plumber, didn't pay his taxes and would actually benefit from Sen. Obama's tax plan more than he would with McCain's.
It's just another case of McCain not vetting good enough. All of his gambles (and I know he's a gambling man) are coming up craps. He should know more than most that the odds go to the house.
To blame Obama for something McCain used as debate fodder is not only ridiculous – it's boderline insanity. Even McCain apologized to "Joe the Plumber" when he was on Letterman last night. He knows himself that he pushed him into the limelight without even asking him beforehand if it would be alright if he used his name and life as a gimmick for his campaign.
Actually, Obama gave Joe a very detailed and objective response to his initial question when they met. He showed Joe respect, but didn't give him any false promises – he explained why he feels that it's right for someone making more than 1/4 million a year to pay more taxes than someone making 40,000.
You just hit every single debunked talking point I've heard about this story. congratulations for being the Obama Mouthpiece O'The Day!