Joe the Plumber: Social Security Is a 'Joke' and Liberal Conspiracy Theories

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I'm willing to bet that since he's divorced, he will have some choice words for child support as well. This does not strike me as a guy who is shy about speaking his mind.

Mia of 12:26AM October 20, 2008

Conservatives erroneously believe that Social Security is a hand out. You don't get Social Security if you don't log in working hours. Joe the Plumber was never independent--at least in the sense that he was wavering between Republican and Democrat. It seems to me that he was trying to do a little "gotcha" journalism on Obama. Don't tell me he didn't notice the cameras before he asked his questions.
He probably didn't think he would end up on national television, but we are in the internet age--and it doesn't seem to me that he is "suffering" that much. He is traveling the right wing circuit. I don't feel sorry for him. He's a big boy.

Mia of 12:25AM October 20, 2008

At a time when unemployment is growing by leaps and bounds people don't choose to not work, the Republican greed is the reason they dont have jobs. I hope that you know you are a paycheck away from being on the streets yourself, and then you will see how it feels. I make good money, and I would be taxed higher under Obamas plan but guess what, it will be better for my business because people will be able to afford my services. Stop being somstupid, only 5% of Americans fall into the higher tax bracket, trickle down economics does not work, as proven by the horrible Bush years.

Leigh John of TX 11:39AM October 19, 2008

What? How far are you in the bag for Obama? McCain has had an uphill battle from the start, and even as the economy has faltered, he remains in the race.
You might not agree with him. You may think he could have run a better campaign. But inept AND currupt? Give me a break.

Bill of IL 2:26AM October 19, 2008

Ms. Erbe included a couple long quotes from bloggers. But the name of the blogger, and the name of the blog, were not included in the article.
If Ms. Erbe had been citing quotes from another main stream media source, she would most likely have included the name of the speaker, and the name of the medium which originally published the quote. "As John Smith said in the New York Times, ' ... '.
Please treat blog sources and publishers with more respect! Update the U.S. News style sheet!

Jody L. of NJ 10:19AM October 18, 2008

If Joe the Plumber is a plant, he is not the first or last in this campaign season nor in the history of Presidential runs. However, he seemed to have asked a question that spawned a response from Obama that McCain's camp deemed usable. Having said that, the McCain camp is so out of touch with what an average "Joe the Plumber" might actually earn that their plant is now blowing up in their face.
McCain is desparate and getting down and dirty in the trnches doing whatever it takes to survive. However this is not a war, it is a run for the White House. What will he do six months from now when all world leaders are pointing to the United States as the reason for the world's economic collapse? Will he send start calling names back or start a war with that country? He has a hot head and a will to self-preserve and save-face that may not make the combination for the leader of our country. He has NO humility.
Obama is not a superior choice either, but given the choice it is quite easy.

Mary of NY 7:59AM October 18, 2008

Molly, you may have misunderstood the entire transaction. It was Joe the plumber who said social security was a joke, the same guy who seems to be more republican leaning than anything else. Your gripes actually have nothing to do with Obama, or liberals, or "Demogrants" as you say. You would not get disagreement from ANYONE, about your equation: "if you don't work....you don't get any money", including liberals. Your points do not correlate. Obviously, you feel strongly about social security, but Im concerned that you are placing blame and making judgements in ways that don't even relate to topic of the article. We all must take care to find out the truth about this kind of information. In actuality, s.s. is under the most threat by 1)currently being used to offset costs of national debt & wars and 2)in the future by McCain's proposal to tax it. Go to the candidates' websites and read their plans. We must all please take the time seek out accurate information and process it rationally.

Edward of DC 7:15PM October 17, 2008

Conservatives want to EMPOWER the American worker by giving them the freedom to get ahead and choose their own enterprise. We don't need Obama and his nanny state!

Joe C. Again of VA 5:18PM October 17, 2008

THIS NONSENSE OF JOE THE PLUMBER AND JOE SIX PACK IS A LOOK DOWN YOUR NOSE CONDESENDING ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE AMERICAN WORKER. TRANSLATION YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU WANT WE WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE. WHY NO ONE PICKED UP THAT JOE THE PLUMBER IS A REPUBLICAN OPERATIVE IS UNBELIEVABLE TO GIVE THIS MN CREDIBILITY IS ABSURD. HE IS A PLANT HE WAS PLANNED AS A PLANT AND I HOPE MCCAIN LOSES THE ELETION DUE TO IT. THEY MENTIONED JOE 26 TIMES IN THE DEBATE. GOD HELP US ALL I AM MOVING TO CUBA.

raymond t. cwikowski of AL 4:43PM October 17, 2008