Joe The Plumber Doesn’t View Welfare As Wealth Redistribution
And that’s in spite of having been a welfare recipient, as were his parents, twice.
My question to Joe about his views on wealth redistribution in spite of having been a beneficiary of such a policy has garnered much angry email. This is just a small sampling:
From: Agnes
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:09 AM
To: Alan
Subject: Joe the Plumber segment Nov 5
Re: Joe the Plumber Segment Nov. 5th, 2008
…Alan -
I take exception to Alan’s comment to Joe that “he was once on welfare – isn’t that taking someone else’s money?”
That is a really cheap shot, Alan. Who’s business is it if he was indeed on welfare at one point in his life? That comment is no better than all the other information that was dug up on Joe & spread around by the Media.
[...]
…Play fair.
From: Teresa
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:52 AM
To: Alan
Subject: Joe The Plumber -Welfare remark
I could not believe the remark you made to Joe the Plumber in regards too him previously being on welfare. I felt so sorry for him when you belittled him on National TV. I thought that was a very distasteful and insulting remark. Don’t forget he was looking out for you to when he asked this question. However, I feel you will figure it out on your 2009 tax return since you probably will qualify for the higher tax bracket. Have you forgotten that Joe did not ask to be where he is at today? Remember, it all started over him asking a legitimate question that he was entitled to ask. Don’t forget, you too can hit rock bottom! Who knows? One day you may be in line applying for welfare. My opinion, Shawn should have popped you up side your head for making such a stupid remark. ALLEN YOU ARE A PINHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Alan
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:05 PM
To: Teresa
Subject: RE: Joe The Plumber -Welfare remark
Teresa,
As a matter of fact, Joe did ask to be where he is today. He hired a press agent and wanted to come on our show to plug his website which promotes his upcoming book. If someone wishes to enter the public arena with an agenda it is not belittling to ask them to defend that agenda.
From: Patricia
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 2:47 AM
To: Alan
Subject: You owe joe an appology
Alan,
You are a dispicable human being. What you did to joe the plumber was uncalled for, hateful, petty and imature. Mentioning he was on welfare at one time to embarrasse him on national tv was way out of line. Not to mention your are using information that was illegally obtained. I really feel you need to start controlling our emotions and get a grip. You need to appologize to joe for your petty remark. What I did like was the fact that joe was able to hold his own to you. You tried to tear him down and in the end you looked dumb. If Hannity & Colmes ever fails, it will be cause of you.
From: Alan
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:14 PM
To: Patricia
Subject: RE: You owe joe an appology
Patricia,
As Raw Story points out, Joe, himself, told us on our show that he was once on welfare. If on is going to decry a system where there is wealth distribution and yet benefits from it, it is relevant to the discussion.
Joe, the plumber, should go into hibernation.He has plumped.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Why do you still care about “joe”. You elected a socialist, so don’t try and hide it.
If he talks like a socialist and takes money from my pocket like a socialist, then he is a socialist.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Joe is a fraud,he never had a plumber license he owes the goverment back taxes,now he wants to scam the american people out of there hard errand $$$ “WAKEUP”
November 6th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
If he talks like a socialist and takes money from my pocket like a socialist, then he is a socialist.
Posted by other man
………………….
You mean like Halliburton, Bechtel, CACI, Titan, Bear Stearns, etc?
November 6th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Maureen,
He’s not even a “Joe”.
He reminds me of the fake journalist, Jeff (Guckert)Gannon, who was a whitehouse plant in whitehouse, asking friendly then turned out to be a gay prostitute.
Remember him?
November 6th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Joe’s a joke
November 6th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Doncha’ know? It’s only socialism when someone else benefits.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Joe the Plumber needs to meet Molly the Media Specialist if he intends to stay in the public eye.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I saw your last night and Kudos to you, Alan. You were being fair, completely fair, in bringing up the welfare issue. It’s obvious Joe has “issues”.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I catch the show as often as I can, but I missed this one. Press agent? New book? Seems ‘Joe the Plumber’ has officially become ‘Joe the Pundit’. Ah, well. More power to him, I guess. What I question is that book; it’s got to be one of the fastest books written in history. Must have taken advantage of NaNoWriMo…
November 6th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Why not ask Joe if Skinheads are pro-democracy and what is his connection to White Supremacy groups? You let this Nazi off very easy.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
It is somewhat unfortunate that a campaign generated cartoon is looked to as some sort of authoritative figure in portraying “middle America”. His views, however common to he and his friends, are beyond the logical scope of acceptance of the vast middle class of America.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Absolute fraud. Joe the Has-Been.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Other Man ~
Since you have such strong opinions over what you define as socialism than I’m assuming you’ll be declining Social Security and Medicare programs when you’re eligible?
November 6th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I’m sure he believes in outsourcing fire departments, police, armies, and public utilities. Wonder how he feels about farm subsidies?
November 6th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
‘Redistribution of wealth’ is what i mean by socalism. Taking money from the rich and “maybe” giving it to the poor. Its more like punishing hard work and rewarding lazyness.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
other man,
It’s MUCH better to redistribute the wealth from the middle class to the millionaires and billionaires, like the corporate welfare queens, so they can put it in offshore accounts.
But how is giving a tax break to the hard working middle class and small business owners so that they can compete with massive corporations who use sweatshop labor, ” punishing hard work and rewarding lazyness.”??
It’s no different than taxes under Reagan, Bush Sr, and Clinton.
Or should we keep spending like we are under Bush, and borrowing so our grandchildren can pay the bills?
You ever hear of no bid contracts at cost plus? There’s some “socialism for the rich” for you.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
It’s not even socialist, it’s pure capitalism if you go by the ‘pay for what you use’ argument. The rich owe back taxes aplenty. It’s what keeps Swiss and Cayman Island banks in business.
It’s giving the poor money that they earned and had taken away in payroll and income taxes. It’s making the rich pay for their share of the protection and base of business that the United States provides.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Danielle,
I don’t know if he’ll decline those, but I can guarantee he has never used the services of the ’socialistic’ public library!
November 6th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I have a feeling this interview was the last national press Joe will get.
He won’t be missed.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I love how the other man makes the assumption that the poor are lazy. People are poor for many reasons other than laziness, of course I highly doubt that he is astute enough to grasp that fact. Or possibly could care less about the conditions of the poor and less fortunate.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
No wonder McCain lost the election, he based the last month of his campaign on the loser Joe the plumber.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I think Joe should title his book “Childhood Dreams And Schemes”
November 6th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I strongly suggest we petition the government to grant Joe a Pell Grant so that he can educate himself with some form of credibility. He does not represent anyone beyond himself…he is now a pet for Sean Hannity. I’m afraid we may see Joe as long as Sean Hannity believes his own delusions….and that may be a while.
I saw Sean last night try and be reasonable, but those twisted self-told lies of his just kept creeping back into his consciousness as he stammered his way along…..it so hard for him to think reasonably compared to the nonthinking blasting out of talking points and twisted lies he is used to spewing…..
Poor boy…perhaps a day job might be goood for him…..say…how about joining is pal Joe and be a plummer…he’s certainly used to seeing the content of sewers in his scripts….
November 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I hope we DO see more of Joe on one last topic of interest — the “charity” that he’s trying to start up. I hope media watchdogs keep a close eye on this. The proceeds may very well end up in the plumber’s pocket.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Oh, Joe. I saw a bit of him last night on H&C, and was impressed that he mentioned cracking a dictionary for “a show I did earlier” and then he went on to plug his website. This guy is definitely asking for everything that is coming at him. He’s a national joke, a punch line, and hopefully, that’s all Joe will ever be.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Joe was tossed into the fray like Palin. The Republicans couldn’t care less about him and his kind. He was used like fodder and discarded.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Is this the real Dick Moron? errr, I mean, Morris?
Sean loves the guy and wants him back on his show…..of course, he wants Dick Morris on there, too….so, go figure.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hannity only invites the same people back on his show that share, that “BRAIN FART MENTALITY” like him!!!!!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
It is a well unstood fact that people that watch too much Sean Hannity develop brain blisters from trying to digest his twisted logic, repeated self lies, and tongue tangles.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Talking about dumping people after they have no more use…what happened to Cindy Shean? Now that bush is out, she is no longer useful. I bet she will be the first one in line to get her wealthfair check from BO. Maybe everybody here should “spread the wealth” and send her money.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Has anyone read Dick Morris’ new column? It’s hysterical!
“If ever there was an election that was not worth winning, it was the contest of 2008. While it was hard-fought on both sides, had McCain won, it might have spelled the end of the Republican Party. As it is, the party is well-situated to come back in 2010 and in 2012, if it learns the lessons of this year.”
Yet, on his site yesterday and on The Factor last night, he was CLAIMING that McCain won nearly all the undecided voters. So, it was important the Republicans lost, yet Morris is the lone voice trying to somehow discredit the margin of Obama’s win. This guy is hilarious in his incoherence…
November 6th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Joe is as bad as Sarah Palin. McCain made bad choices with both of them. Oh well, he did this to himself. Joe says he’s not one to take other people’s hard owned money but when asked by Larry King how he was getting by during all of these interviews, he said ‘FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Isn’t that taking someone else’s money. He allowed himself to be put in this position. If he didn’t want publicity he would have denied interviews. He would have gone on with his life. I guarantee McCain’s campaign is supporting him. He’s a big time joke along with Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity and Dick Morris. Alan, you are the best….You know the right things to say to bring out the truth. Those that don’t agree are just as bad as Joe, Sarah, McCain, Sean and Dick. These people make me sick……Thank you, Alan for defending the truth. It worked. BARACK OBAMA WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT. I am very proud to say that I voted for him.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Cindy Sheehan just ran for Nancy Pelosi’s seat, and lost.
He son is still gone, and Bush is done.
What do you want people to do…keep dragging her around.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Dick Morris…… onother “one that flew over the cukoo’s nest.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I wish John McCain had fired the advisors that George Bush had loaned him for his campaign against Barack Obama. Joe, the not so plumber is using the same intellegence and the same idiosyncratic ideology that had plagued John McCain’s entire campaign.
John McCain could’ve saved millions if he’d really fired his top advisors and replaced them with “joe” the jerk illegal plumber.
Politicians are hillarious. John McCain and his Motley crue only point to Barack Obama when their slice of the pie is less than his. But they are equally guilty.
I’m tired of the lies and Alan, please return “joe’s”
money and not interview that sad sack of garbage that is hardly representative of honest Americans….
The media did not single “joe” out. John McCain did, in fact…He made it a mission in the last debate. “joe” would’ve gone down unnoticed had it not been for John McCain….Some “Friend”
If I were “Joe” I’d shut the hell up and thank the man who really got him scrutinized. Did anyone ask “Joe” how he was paying for his agent?
I think Alan was completely and totally fair. I just wish they could let “Joe” go into obscurity. His five minutes of fame is so over!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Other Man (and the rest of the conservatives who call Obama a Socialist).
Now come on, this is just getting way out of hand. You guys exaggerate Obama’s taxation plan to the point of being utterly ridiculous. To call what he has suggested “Socialism” ~ the word used to describe the true Socialism people seen during the Cold War is insulting.
I don’t know which is more illogical – this crap or the crazy Muslim, terrorist, loves to kill babies crap.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Alan,
I am sorry that you have to put up with these hypocritical, poor excuses for human beings!!!!! I, and the hundreds of others who have common sense and have heard what “Joe the Plumber” has been saying, understand where you were coming from when you made your remark. He goes around stating that it is terrible to want to take money from others and that HE has PRINCIPLES and would never want to take money that he hasn’t EARNED. What a hypocrite!!!!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Laughing myself into a tizzy over you people. Joe the Plumbers 15 minutes is over, let it go already. For gods sake the Horse is Dead. How long do you plan to beat its corpse? But thanks for showing the rest of the world really How “Intelligent” and ‘Progressive” Liberals really are. You sound like sad and bitter litte people.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Oh, I get it- welfare is only a hand out for lazy people when it’s a minority receiving it. Got it!
Interesting, though… as a single black woman and single mother who was on unemployment for 7 months, it’s amazing how I was able to bounce back from that and find a job in my profession making 39k a year (big money in my neck of the woods).
But being a black baby mama, I’m sure I was just sitting in the house watching Oprah all day… and that I had no intent of ever finding another job… etc.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Who cares about Joe The Plumbob?
November 6th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Joe is a fraud,he never had a plumber license he owes the goverment back taxes,now he wants to scam the american people out of there hard errand $$$ “WAKEUP”
Posted by Maureen
November 6th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
——————————————————-
isn’t this what conservative america is all about? they’re nothing but a bunch of crooked, lying, cheating, scumbags that loves to rob america. it’s no better for the repubs to promote this wasteful scumbag who is a sham and owes the gov.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
republican party is no more. they will NEVER get into the white house again.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Come on folks! Let JOE pall around with his with his republican buddies and let them hood wink 1 another. The sky is blue and JOE will tell you it,s red.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Joe the plumber is an American citizen. Does he not have a right to ask a presidential candidate a good, honest question and not expect his personal life examined, (quite possibly this was all done illegally by a state employee who maxed out her contribution to Obama).
By the way, he doesn’t need a plumbers liscense. He works under the liscense of his employer. He didn’t say he was making $250,000 either. He just asked Obama that he was thinking of buying the business and wanted to know why his taxes would go up just for being successful.
Check out your stories before you attack someone. Your argument won’t look so rediculous.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Willy,
Of course Sam Wurzelbacher has the right to ask a presidential candidate a good, honest question.
But when the party transforms him into a celebrity, to challenge their opponents policies, the fact that he misrepresented himself, and that his questions were NOT honest, is absolutely fair game.
Again, he comes off looking more like Jeff Gannon.
And are you SERIOUSLY saying that if some “Joe the Plumber” had approached McCain and said that because of the Bush ecomony, business is so bad, nobody hires plumbers unless it’s an emergency, and we really need help…
And then Obama made it the centerpiece of the debate, and EVERY liberal and Democrat talked about it nonstop,
and THEN it turned out that he was really not a liscensed plumber, and didn’t have his own business, and that he once was on welfare, the the right would not be savaging him???
Please, as Barack Obama said, ENOUGH!
November 7th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Joe, the plumber = Sean,the shamehannity
November 7th, 2008 at 10:12 am
To:Posted by Willy November 7th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Please, allow poor Sam, Joe, Billybob, Ralph, Sarah, Fred, and Calib to retire from public life. Joe was a dupe of the McCain campaign AFTER the debate. He made the choice, AT THAT POINT, to insert himself into the public forum. Yes, McCain is responsible for triggering the investigations into the poor chap, but Joe made it all the worse by getting a publicist, seeking a record deal, and (gulp) actually seeking the favor and exposure on Fox with your pal, Sean.
So…although he didn’t initially ask for it, he picked up the gauntlet and smacked himself repeatedly around the head and shoulders.
“To each his own” said the lady who kissed the cow.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Let’s just let Joe end his 15 minutes of fame, he has already used about 14 1/2 minutes. I can take another 30 seconds.
He will go to oblivion on his own.
Gerry Harold
November 7th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Sorry what was wrong with Alan’s Question?
The problem with Joe the Plumber becoming the symbol of the McCain camp is it did not fit
He did not make over 250k and did not buy a business
and owed taxes and took from welfare program
If this is example of a capitalist no wonder McCain lost
November 7th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Willy,
Where were Joe’s “PRINCIPLES” when he was miss “REPRESENTING HIMSELF” to gain the unwarranted notoriety he seems to have acquired.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Any of you planning on buying Sam’s book?
November 7th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Why should Alan apologize to Mr. Plummer or anybody else. Mr Plummer did it to himself. Maybe Senator McCain should apologize to him and while he is at it apologize to Gov. Palin and her family for what his staff is during at this time. Mr. Plummer started hi career on tv with lies about his conversation with President Elect Obama. I am sure he has loved all of the attention Mr. Plummer has recieved Senator McCain really believed that this man the plummer was going to help him win this election. Just like he thought that Gov. Palin was going to win him the women vote. Silly him, so now they are saying awful things about her even if they are true they should be a little more loyal for the time and all of the lies she had to tell to try to help Senator McCain win which ofcourse did not work. So get over it Ms. Patricia!!!!!!!!!!!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Sam’s book will be in direct relation to how long his crayon goes before breaking.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I don’t mean any disrespect. But I think enough attention has been given to Joe. This latest is momentarily interesting. But not enough for me to care. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 I voted Barack Obama as the next, 44th president of the United States.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I thought your line of questioning was completely relevant and further showed the hypocrisy of Joe the Plumber. You owe no one an apology. Thank you for helping to bring Joe’s 15 minutes of fame to a grinding halt.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Cheryl ~
Oh…just ignore the idiots.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Paul, I read the Morris article and the thing I found most intresting about it is that it basically says who would want to lead now when things are tough. Its better to wait until this republican mess is cleared up, let someone else do it. Memo to Dick Morris, when things are bad thats when ture leadership comes threw it doesnt hide in a corner and say wow I am glade they didnt pick me. what an idiot!
November 8th, 2008 at 12:13 am
I for one, hate joe the plumber. everything about this guy was a FRAUD!
imagine telling people at the bar you are something you are not, make more money than you do, and expect respect?
F joe the fraud!
he is a cheap political trick AT BEST…were is your goatee robot?
November 8th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Va te faire mon ami joe, the plumber.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Joe the Plumber
Hank Willimas Junior
Ted Nugent
All became symbols of McCain camp
nought said
November 8th, 2008 at 1:26 pm