Thinking Joe The Plumber

So Joe The Plumber wants to buy a business to help him and his family do better in life. That's not just the American Dream, the dream of doing things so that your family benefits is a dream shared by billions worldwide.

The problem is, Joe is worried that buying a business that pulls revenue in excess of $250,000 will cost him more in taxes under Barack Obama's plan.

According to today's article on CNN.com, Obama told Joe: "I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

Of course, for the hard-working American businessman, like Joe wants to be, this kind of thinking doesn't sit well: "Redistributing the wealth, as far as my hard work, that upsets me," Joe said. "That's not right. That's not American."

Oh, but it is, my burgeoning entrepreneur, it certainly is "American." Come live in the Socialist Demokratik Republik of Maryland and you'll find the definition of a Big Government Welfare State whose populace wears "Entitlement" like a diamond studded tiara. And when things get tough and money gets tight - no problem, we'll just squeeze the people more with higher taxes, more taxes and now, legalizing slot machines.

What I find truly amazing, but not at all surprising, is that in the face of a failing economy, astronomical National Debt and a worldwide financial collapse, our "representatives" are ready to levy more taxes. So, while I'm lying on the ground with a food on my face and a knife in my neck, they want to kick me too?

To be fair, Obama said he plans to "lower tax" for "95 percent of Americans." Well, why not the other five percent? What did they do wrong that they deserve to be taxed more? Is it because they're business owners and executives who are charged daily with making the right decisions to keep their companies profitable and the majority of the American workforce employed?

Don't get me wrong, I don't make anywhere near $250K per year. My paycheck is laughable to 95 percent of Americans. But, should fortunes change, should I be penalized for taking the chances and risks of business? That I've put everything on the line and risked bankruptcy should be criminalized? That I employ people and help them make a living - this is worthy of The Scarlet Letter?

Hmmm, perhaps Joe The Plumber is right for reconsidering his vote.

I'm sure I've got a t-shirt with a red "A" on it somewhere around here...