Joe the Plumber

"For of those to whom much is given, much is required"
Bible (Luke 12:48)
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (American 35th US President (1961-63), 1917-1963)

I found "Joe" the plumber to be a whiner of the "It's not fair." variety. He apparently does not yet make a quarter-of-a-million dollars per year, but just in case he ever does he's ready to complain about how much he will have to pay in taxes.

"Life isn't fair. Get over it!" is a phrase my children frequently heard from me. I meant that our lives are more likely than not to take unexpected turns, and wasting time whining about the lack of fairness does no one any good.

I also don't like the idea that no one has addressed the simple fact that, even if taxes are increased on those in the upper ten percent, two-thirds to three-quarters of the increased income still comes to the person earning it.

There is also the point that taxable income is very different from earned income. As a small business owner myself I know that to earn a net of $250,000 dollars a year is something that most small business owners can only dream about.

Another critical point that hasn't been addressed is what income is taxed. A lot of business expenses are deductible. You get various depreciations on buildings and equipment.

.All-in-all, by the time your accountant has dealt with all the things a small business does not have to pay taxes on, it is a pretty amazing business that comes to the income tax table with $250,000 or more to be taxed.

My view is Joe the plumber needs to get a grip and consider what is best for the country as a whole; not just the income he MAY make someday, if he's lucky, that May be taxed at a higher rate.