Here's the thing. We need licensing for those areas of life where none of us has the expertise to know whether someone did a good job or not. I can tell if a carpenter did a good job (generally), but I have no idea if the wiring in my house might short and set the house on fire, if my plumbing pressure might damage my appliances, if I really have a tumor in my head and need it taken out, or if the attorney I hired really knows the law and is using it to full advantage.
When I can see, for myself, whether someone is doing a good (and not dangerous) job, I'm all for letting anyone who wants to sell those services. When I don't have the expertise to see that, licensing is the only thing I have to go on.
Tarhunta
of CO
@
Oct 17, 2008 12:36:39 PM
Joe the Plumber
Why is the media and the Obama campaign now set to destroy Joe the Plumber? In the last 2 days there has been more digging for any dirt on the man and destroy him that is quite telling. It's not about Joe the Plumber anyway. He's a private citizen who exposed Obama's "share the wealth" ideology. Where haven't we seen similar digging about Bill Ayers in the last 2 years?
Joann
of FL
@
Oct 17, 2008 12:35:41 PM
Missing the point
The point is that Mr. Wurzelbacher, a registered Republican, was setting Mr. Obama up with a pack of lies.
How about you focus on the fact that Joe (Sam) the (unlicensed)Plumber has a tax lien against him from the state of Ohio? Why should we care what he thinks about taxes since he obviously doesn't pay his taxes anyway...
Frank
of SC
@
Oct 17, 2008 12:35:34 PM
So you are saying I can be anything I want ?
So by your opening statement, you are saying that it is ok for me to call myself a physician/ medical doctor (I never went to medical school) because I work in a Hospital? My second question is: Will you hire an unlicensed plumber?
Karl Von Batten
of DC
@
Oct 17, 2008 12:27:14 PM
250,000 / year for poor old Joe
Huge flaw in this Joe the Plumber argument.
Joe will only have his taxes raised back to pre-W levels when his business brings in more than 250,000 in profits.
At that point Joe is no longer drinking Bud by the 6-pack, he's now drinking 12-year Scotch.
He hasn't even bought the business yet, clearly, in the given economic conditions in this country that have been holding the middle class down he has not been able to get to the point where he can buy the business - otherwise it would be his business by now.
The idea is to give Joe tax breaks and other support to help him get there.
McCain is not talking at all about how to help Joe trade in his Bud for Scotch, only that once he's drinking Scotch, he'll be there to help him move up to the 18 year stuff.
Mark F.
of
@
Oct 17, 2008 12:25:46 PM
And When Your Plumbing Leaks?
What are you going to do, file a lawsuit? He probably does not have insurance or any money. Will you call your homeowners insurer? How will they feel about paying for your carelessness in hiring an unlicensed plumber. What if you happen to live in the apartment above mine and your leaks ruin my stuff. Let me answer this one, I'll sue your ass off.
Congratulations on one of the most idiotic ideas of the year.
maberlin
of NY
@
Oct 17, 2008 12:23:10 PM
No big deal?
Licensing laws certainly serve a purpose. Would you want a person claiming to be a lawyer represent you if she did not pass the bar exam or a unlicenced doctor operating on your son? How about an unlicense architect coming up with a plan for a new home? We want to assure that those who are doing work for us have passed some sort of quality control test. Just a plumber? If he "fixed" your faucet and your basement later flooded would you then care if he were licensed?
The reason that this has become an issue is simple, the guy claimed he was one thing, when the facts suggest something different. He claimed he was independent, but is registered Republican, and gave numerous interviews to notoriously right-wing media outlets; Stated he was worried about his taxes going up if the 2 person company he works for was purchased by him, what kind of plumber makes more than 250k/year? He owes back taxes in Ohio to the tune of $1200 in the form of a tax lien on his home. (This means he has been working to avoid paying those taxes for some time now.)
Steve
of OH
@
Oct 17, 2008 12:19:09 PM
I agree...and furthermore, I shouldn't have to pass the bar to be able to practice law. I read a medical book once too, so maybe I should be able to call myself a doctor.
Matt Bandyk, a reporter for U.S. News, explores capitalism from where it all begins, with the entrepreneur, whose risk taking and experimentation provide the roots from which the rest of the economy grows. As much courage as it takes to create one's own business, even the entrepreneur needs some help, and this blog will look at news, trends, and practical advice for starting and running a small business.
Tarhunta of CO @ Oct 17, 2008 12:36:39 PM
Joann of FL @ Oct 17, 2008 12:35:41 PM
Frank of SC @ Oct 17, 2008 12:35:34 PM
Karl Von Batten of DC @ Oct 17, 2008 12:27:14 PM
Mark F. of @ Oct 17, 2008 12:25:46 PM
maberlin of NY @ Oct 17, 2008 12:23:10 PM
Steve of OH @ Oct 17, 2008 12:19:09 PM
Res Ipsa of CA @ Oct 17, 2008 12:17:41 PM
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