"McCain Used Joe Wurzelbacher to Depict His Tax Plan; Ironically He Is in Line for Obama's Tax Plan," insists the subheader for an October 16 ABCNews.com story by Imaeyen Ibanga. The reporter pushed the Obama campaign talking points that as it stands right now "Joe the Plumber" would be a beneficiary of Illinois senator's tax plans:
Wurzelbacher has become the focal point of the presidential election because of his objections to Obama's plan to boost taxes on people who earn more than $250,000. Ironically, the plumber currently has an income level that would make him eligible for Obama's proposed tax cut rather than the tax increase.
But that doesn't address what impact Obama's tax hikes might have on Wurzelbacher's boss and how new taxes might adversely impact the plumbing company's payroll under an Obama administration.
After noting that Wurzelbacher admitted the company he's hoping to buy doesn't cross the quarter-million threshold, Ibanga seemed perplexed at his anger at the notion of taxing "rich" people for their success:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓Wurzelbacher conceded today that he is not in danger of being hit with the higher tax rate. He acknowledged that he wants to buy a plumbing company for $250,000 to $280,000. That wouldn't be how much profit he would make from the firm.
He would make much less, he said.
That would seem to indicate that Wurzelbacher would not be subject to Obama's proposed tax increase from 36 percent to 39 percent for those making more than $250,000 per family. Instead, he would be eligible for a tax cut that Obama is proposing.
Nevertheless, the plumber said people shouldn't be "punished' for success even if you become a billionaire.
"I don't like it," said Wurzelbacher. "You know, me or -- you know, Bill Gates, I don't care who you are. If you worked for it, if it was your idea, and you implemented it, it's not right for someone to decide you made too much."
Regardless of whether Wurzelbacher would have to pay higher taxes off the bat, it's not a stretch to imagine the Ohio plumber would be less likely to go ahead with his plans to purchase the business if there's uncertainty about how anti-business the Obama administration will be.
That ABCNews.com can't or won't grasp that concept is just more evidence that the media don't get free enterprise.
Photo of Wurzelbacher via ABCNews.com
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters




















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Right side pundits are
October 16, 2008 - 13:49 ET by Right2thePointRight side pundits are saying it and I have to agree. Joe will be hit with the full fource of the Obama attack dogs and we will know more about Joe in a week than the two years of press reasearch has been able to tell us about the black hole of the Obama NYC years.
Kos already has up a past due tax bill.
Ken!! Check This Out!!!
October 16, 2008 - 13:58 ET by TheSter<repost>
Matt, Noel !!! HEY NB'ers!!!
Here's the link Rush used to DESTROY Obamas tax on Small Business!!!
http://www.patterico.com/2008/10/07/obamas-tax-plan-and-small-businesses/
READ IT...USE IT...PASS IT ON!!!
Ster.
Obama’s Tax Plan and Small Businesses
Filed under: 2008 Election — DRJ @ 10:25 pm
[Guest post by DRJ]
At tonight’s Town Hall Presidential debate, I think Barack Obama said this about his tax policies [EDIT: according to the CNN transcript]:
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a “small business” according to its average annual receipts or the number of its employees. Here are examples from the SBA’s Table of Small Business Size Standards setting forth the maximum average annual receipts by industry that a business can have and still be classified as a small business:
There are many more examples at the link. In addition, most of the industries in the Table — such as manufacturers of food, beverages, apparel, print, oil/gas, plastics, plumbing, machinery, computers, electronics, electrical, transportation, and furniture — are considered small businesses based on their total number of employees instead of average annual receipts. In those industries, the cut-off between small and large businesses ranges from 500-1,000 employees per business/industry.
It’s difficult for me to imagine a business that has 50 or more employees (let alone 500-1,000) that has receipts of less than $250,000 per year. And, given the SBA definitions of “small business,” it seems likely that many small businesses in a wide range of industries have receipts of more than $250,000 per year.
If so, it is appalling that Obama would imply that, if he is President, a small percentage of businesses exceed the $250,000 per year cut-off for increased taxation under his tax plan. In fact, the number of businesses subject to additional tax may be large and could well be the 50% number I think John McCain mentioned.
Small businesses are vital to the American economy and Americans’ livelihoods, and it sounds like Obama wants to tax as many as he possibly can.
– DRJ
[UPDATE BY KARL: Welcome Limbaugh Listeners! Patterico, DRJ and WLS do fine blogging here, so please feel free to visit the home page and generally poke around the place.]
brilliant
October 16, 2008 - 14:08 ET by mbuelKeep up the hard work against the Obama lies.
One thing that is CONSTANTLY overlooked as well:
1) ~33% of people eligible for this "tax cut" under Obama's plan are NOT PAYING TAXES right now.
2) Obama and his democrat cohorts plan on rolling back ALL the bush tax cuts and increasing the capital gains tax. This will hurt ALL working Americans, even with his ridiculous "1000 dollar" tax credit.
3) His windfall profit tax on oil will only INCREASE the cost of aggregate energy production in our country, increasing the cost the consumer sees.
4) Even if we are to assume that somehow this wouldn't screw over small businesses on the backside of production it would force them to raise costs on the front side passing those costs onto the consumer. So even if your paying less income tax, you'll be paying more for EVERYTHING else.
Palin has accomplished great things, while Obama has continued to make empty promises that the world owes you a living.
What's funny is Obama's
October 16, 2008 - 15:12 ET by ckc1227What's funny is Obama's own argument undermines his plan. On one hand, he says he's going to tax the rich to pay for all these goodies he's promising everyone else, then on the other hand he says don't worry, only a few people will have to pay these higher taxes. It doesn't add up. Those few people he says he intends to tax don't make enough to pay for everything he wants to do.
So, one way or another, he's lying to somebody.
Obama's Economic plan: more taxes, more spending, more regulation. Prosperity here we come.
*** FLASH *** : Tip for liberals
October 16, 2008 - 14:03 ET by LionKingSimple tax tip for all liberals that are in favor of HIGHER taxes:
VOLUNTARILY PAY MORE !!!
The IRS, as an agent of the Federal government, will not refuse your extra payments. Please, feel free to give YOUR money to the government, but leave mine alone.
btw, libtards, this is FAIR. You do what you want with YOUR money, I can do what I want with MINE.
Joe the P
October 16, 2008 - 14:07 ET by BaxterJI'm so over Joe the P already. Could he do more media interviews?
What Joe really said
October 16, 2008 - 14:17 ET by mbuelI think it's important to bring up what Joe the Plumber actually stated:
Also, he doesn't _currently_ own a business that makes over $250,000 but planned on purchasing one.
Palin has accomplished great things, while Obama has continued to make empty promises that the world owes you a living.
ABC didn't think this through.
October 16, 2008 - 14:24 ET by mizflame98What ABCNews.com doesn't point out is that Joe might become unemployed under Obama's tax plan because his boss will no longer afford to employ Joe.
“Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula? I mean, they’re charging a lot of money for this stuff.”
B.H. Obama
McCain and Palin are toast, unfortunately.
October 16, 2008 - 14:29 ET by c5thenMcCain has failed yet a third time to make a good case for why moderate and populist independants should vote for him as opposed to Obama who has promised them $500 each. Without a well articulated philosophy about why it's bad to take money from the rich and re-distribute it to the middle class and poor, most people will go for the money. It's that simple.
I am extremely pesimistic about the Republican's chances in the upcoming election. It looks like Obama wins, the Dems pick up seats in the House and Senate and this country is going to take two monster steps toward socialism.
"Ibanga seemed perplexed
October 16, 2008 - 15:02 ET by ckc1227"Ibanga seemed perplexed at his anger at the notion of taxing "rich" people for their success"
I don't make $250,000 a year, that doesn't mean I think it's okay to tax others for their success. But that point is really moot. The tax increase won't be limited to those who make $250,000. Sure, that's what he says, but what matters is what he does. He is a liberal socialist who believes government is more entitled to your money than you are. If anyone believes he will limit that to those who earn $250,00 +, I have some ocean front property in Kansas you can buy at a good price.
"Without a well articulated philosophy about why it's bad to take money
from the rich and re-distribute it to the middle class and poor, most
people will go for the money."
If it's up to McCain to explain that to people, we're screwed. That's something people should already know. Sadly, many don't. Let's hope they have an epiphany once they get inside the voting booth.
Obama's Economic plan: more taxes, more spending, more regulation. Prosperity here we come.
it ain't
October 17, 2008 - 01:07 ET by WesenBarry mocked Joe today in an ad saying who'd feel sorry for someone making 250k a year. Folks have to keep in mind this is gross not net. In a trade business 250k in gross receipts would probably net 70 to 100k.
Wesen
October 17, 2008 - 01:23 ET by BlondeThe fact that Obama mocked "Joe the Plumber" today just speaks absolute volumes, for and about Odumbo's "fight" to help the so-called middle class.
I have a very dear friend, the son of one of the most pre-eminent orthopedic surgeons in the world. A son who was expected to follow his father into the rarified world of surgeons. Only my friend preferred working on engines, rather than bones.
So he started his own business. Went to several years of school, and became a certified master mechanic. Works on boats. Very fast boats. Gets paid about the same as a top-flight lawyer ($500 an hour)....including all expenses paid to fly to wherever said boat has *coughed* and died.
So....my friend the *boat mechanic* makes more money than Barry or Michelle, prior to their rapid ascent into the political arena....as a "mere mechanic"....and also as a one man show. Granted, he works alot of hours, is away from his family alot....but is way over the quarter mil mark in income every year.
But the Most Dear One would tax him to within an inch of his life, for parlaying his God-given talent of working with his hands (not saving lives, like his father did), because he's now "rich".
Work hard, be smart, apply yourself.....and pay for all of the deadbeats of the world....remember, THE ONE says sharing the wealth is a good thing!!!!!
Okay, rant over.
Keep it up, Barack.....your mockery of the "working class" is a loser.....remember, us worker bees DESPISE lawyers.
In his own words (19 seconds): This man is qualified to be VP?
yep
October 17, 2008 - 08:36 ET by mbuel"250k in gross receipts would probably net 70 to 100k"
Absolutely. If he instills this tax it's going to destroy small business and possibly unemploy entire swaths of people. This is the stupidest thing a politician has suggested in 70+ years.
Palin has accomplished great things, while Obama has continued to make empty promises that the world owes you a living.
Journalism
October 16, 2008 - 14:58 ET by KC MulvilleI came across a NY Times article, that presumed to "fact-check" the claims about Obama's plan, and how many businesses it will apply to. Check out this "analysis:"
Probably not? Obama may well have been correct ...? What the hell kind of analysis is that? Obama said so, so he's probably right? How is that an independent fact check?
But what really gets me is how they slide over the details. The article concedes (unintentionally undermining their argument) that the "98%" of small businesses includes paperboys and hobbyists. But the paperboys are just padding. Obama throws them in to make it seem that almost everyone will benefit, but that's misleading.
The small businesses that matter are the ones that provide jobs - and they're going to be hit by Obama. Our economy depends on businesses that employ 10, 20, maybe 50 people, and those almost all exceed $250k. Obama is counting the totals of businesses, but ignored the economic weight of each business. Never mind the fact that growing that $250k-plus category is the key to success. He's taxing the category in which we need to grow the most.
Obama doesn't care
October 17, 2008 - 08:48 ET by mbuelHe knows this will destroy the middle class... That's his goal. People haven't been paying attention.
From his church:
encourages them to kill off one another.
environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.
them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are
better than others and teaches them to think in terms of "we" and
"they" instead of "us."
might, we must avoid the third separation method - the psychological
entrapment of Black "middleclassness." If we avoid this snare, we will
also diminish our "voluntary" contributions to methods A and B. And
more importantly, Black people no longer will be deprived of their
birthright: the leadership, resourcefulness and example of their own
talented persons.
Available to the Black Community.
Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions.
Black Value System.
To measure the worth and validity of all activity in terms of positive
contributions to the general welfare of the Black Community and the
Advancement of Black People towards freedom.
Wow... this is even scarier and more disturbing than I remember...
Palin has accomplished great things, while Obama has continued to make empty promises that the world owes you a living.
Attack Joe Plumer, MSM, and you attack me and other Americans
October 16, 2008 - 15:23 ET by JayTeeI am Joe Plumber.
Sarah is NOT going to let Joe Get Squashed by the Left without it costing them/Obama dearly. . . Sarah is not McCain.
Ohio will protect its own . . The Ohio SOS voter snafu is enough to sink the Dems. . . Joe pushes Ohio into the RED State category.
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
JT... Bulls-Eye!!!! "America
October 16, 2008 - 15:27 ET by bigtimerJT...
Bulls-Eye!!!!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Oh yeah
October 16, 2008 - 16:15 ET by Kirk HallLook, we all know that there is no way any of us are going to get a tax break under O's BS.
He sure is!
October 16, 2008 - 16:29 ET by AZTech2020Yep, "Joe the Plumber" definitely is in line for Obama's tax plan: "Okay, Joe......bend over and grab your ankles, you're next in line!"
When a liberal is in charge,
October 21, 2008 - 20:06 ET by zfWhen a liberal is in charge, everyone is in danger of being hit with a higher tax rate, regardless of what a liberal says, their spendthrift policies demand as much money from public hands as possible.
He's in line all right, the
October 21, 2008 - 22:44 ET by zfHe's in line all right, the more successful he gets the more Bama's tax hikes will get him in the rear.