The American Spectator

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"Holy Toledo"

By Ashby M. Foote, III on 10.16.08 @ 1:26PM

What a week for Toledo, Ohio.  On Saturday the University football team travels to the Big House in Ann Arbor and knocks off the Michigan Wolverines 13-10.  But amaizing as that seemed the triumphs of the Rockets would soon be eclipsed by the insight and words of a plumber from nearby Holland, Ohio.  It was at a O'Bama rally in Toledo on Sunday that a camera crew would catch Joe Wurzelbacher not questioning but stating to Senator O'Bama, "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more."  The Senator's "spread wealth around" response to Joe's challenge was as lame as Michigan's last second 26 yard field goal attempt to force Toledo into overtime - both went wide left.  Fox News took the Joe - O'Bama interchange to its national audience on Monday and Tuesday - a day later 25 mentions of "Joe the Plumber" in the Presidential Debate would make Joe Wurzelbacher the most famous plumber in America.  By mid-day today(10/16/08) Joe had held a press conference and made appearances on morning network TV.  Much the dismay of the network interviewers he clealry understands kitchen counter economics and the effect of tax rates on economic behavior much better than they and most members of congress do.  Joe saw the O'Bama "spread it around" tax policy for the socialist welfare program it is.   Joe distilled all the wonk out of both campaigns' economic discussions and left viewers with the simple but elegant truth on how an economy grows and who really creates jobs.  But two more dots need to be connected as we struggle through this economic maelstrom.  As Joe was confronting Senator O'Bama about his taxes on income over $250,000 going up the cover picture on the Time magazine issue dated 10/13/08 was a Depression era picture of men in business suits in a soup line.  Message to those no-value-add investment bankers in Wall Street out of work - grab a wrench, there are plumbing entrepreneurs in the heartland now making $250,000+.  If the McCain team wins this election someone needs to carry Joe Wurzelbacher off the field on their shoulders.  Go Rockets - and fighter jocks too!