Joe The Plumber: Not A Tax Expert

Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, a.k.a. "Joe the Plumber," is the topic of the day on the campaign trail, in part because he held an impromptu press conference Thursday morning in front of his house to discuss tax policy, his disdain for Social Security, and his critiques of Barack Obama.

Already, however, there is some dispute as to whether or not Wurzelbacher was being accurate with his critique of Obama. His business, as ABC reports, would almost certainly get a tax cut under Obama's plan, given that he does not expect to make anywhere close to $250,000 in profits.

Moreover, for someone worried about his taxes, Wurzelbacher doesn't -- it appears - always pay them. A filing with the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas shows that he has had state tax liens filed against him, meaning he was either delinquent or didn't fully cover taxes that he owed.

A representative at the court explained that Wurzelbacher had not paid $1,182.98 of personal income tax. The state filed a lien on January 26, 2007, and the payment remains outstanding. But the court rep also cautioned that this all may have occurred without Wurzelbacher's knowledge.

"We get hundreds of state liens every day and we don't have to make a judgment on them. We are just putting in there what the state says is owed. We don't notify that person and neither does the state. If there was activity on this lien, if they attempted to collect it on this case - which they haven't -- it would show up. But I am 99.9 percent positive that he doesn't even know about this."

Tax-issues aside, the "Joe-the-Plumber" fervor seems to be spreading beyond small town Ohio. On the streets of Manhattan this morning, a plumbing company car was spotted with a "Joe The Plumber For President" poster on its side.

But before Obama supporters fret about losing the plumber vote, it's worth noting that the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters has endorsed the Illinois Democrat, in part because the union thinks he has the best economic agenda for its members.

"Obama will help us keep existing jobs and work to develop new, higher paying jobs here in America, reform our health care system, fix our ailing schools and make sure that the pensions of our retirees are safe," the union said.

Comments

[bitemeredstate]

He doesn't pay taxes and he has no plumbing license. Joe, how did you ever get a platform if you're not even legit?

It takes real shiny brass ones to liken Sen. Obama to Sammy Davis, Jr. when you don't even have the motivation or experience to get your plumbers license.

[georgebush4obama]

15 minutes of fame isn't going well. make a few appearance bucks and go buy ammunition and hunt

[lucite]

Can we get rid of this guys front page status on Huffopost. His 15 minutes is up........­....
Another McCain distraction. Next up!!!! Joe the SS agent

[masha2008]

not yet. i want him exposed. he got his rightwingery out there, now he has to pay for it with intense scrutiny. that platform does not come for free.

[Heavy]

Why does Joe even care about his tax rate if he does not pay them?

[levibatgirl]

He needs to spew all the right wing talking points all over the place.

[bennybeaver]

Good point, but I am in that braket and am not really crazy about sharing the wealth I worked hard for.

[JNagarya]

Idjit: taxation funds gov't and public services from which YOU benefit. Selfishness is IMMORAL.

[Df7702]

you make me puke . we all work hard .

[scadabout]

Yes, The difference is, I make minimum wage for the same job.

[masha2008]

a strong middle class is why you are in that bracket. plus you have more that is being protected and preserved by the government so you should pay more.

[ImpressedByHonesty]

Yeah too, but I'm sure you heard of something called 'adjusted gross income'? Find a tax guy better than Joe the plumber, I'd say.

If you're smart or lucky enough to make that much, than hopefully you are smart or lucky enough to not live paycheck to paycheck, and can easily absorb some silly tax.

[Lilacwine]

I just saw this guy on CNN. He already knew he was voting McCain. All he was talking about was how pissed off he was that people want to withdraw our troops and how we need to privatize social security. He went on to say that saying that America is not the greatest and best country in the world is the same as saying Jesus isn't perfect.

[agentforchange2008]

We're on the same page! See below!!!

[SydneyS]

He is NOT registered to vote! Thank god! So no worries!
Check out my CNN blog on it! Look for Sydney S. there!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/16/joe.plumber/index.html

[agentforchange2008]

Just saw another clip of Mister Joe Plumber in front of the house stating that Social Security is a joke and that he would like to invest it as he saw fit. Imagine if we had all done that. In the past couple weeks, we would have lost all said investments if they were stock-related, had nothing left to retire on, not just those who had 401(k), IRA and other stock-related investment plans. Or, if you were currently drawing a check (like my mother), would you even get a check at the beginning of November?

I am convinced that Social Security needs more careful and strategic thought, not just to be thrown at the stock market like a steak at a hungry lion. Give me the chump change that they "say" I will have as opposed to a grunt and a snork.

Ol' Boy isn't too bright.

[Pquilson]

I dont suppose it occured to you that investing means more than the stock market. There are other ways.

[pupbayer]

Geez...som­eone asks a question to get a position clarified from O bama and he is investigated? Someone needs to find something productive to do. I wonder why do many are "scared" and nervous about an O bama presidency.

And tell me no one has called him a r@cist yet!

[goosie29]

Mckoolaid

[happypup]

Still in living in your own little version of McCainland I see.......­.....

[Seppuku]

He wasn't investigated because he asked Obama a question. He was investigated because McCain was using "Plumber Joe" as his new campaign slogan.

[haveitoldyoulately]

Does Joe really have to worry about that 250,000 salary to up his taxes

Lucas County Court

Median household income $40,348
2005 median house value: $118,000

[JNagarya]

So, "Joe the Plumber" claims to be a plumber, and that he doesn't need a license because his boss has one. Turns out not only is he requrired BY LAW to have a license, but that NEITHER HE NOR HIS BOSS have the required license.

So, I guess they'll be lining up to pay the massive accumulated fines from CRIMINAL violations of the law.

Or they can get out of paying the fines if they aren't ACTUALLY plumbers, but are instead LIARS.

Come on, media: VET these fake "reg'lar folk".

[masha2008]

hope they get sued.

[Pquilson]

Perhaps you need to read up on the difference between civil and criminal.

[maxfax]

How did he become involved? Set up.

[xmw]

definately a set up. one which may backfire. this loose cannon starts spouting this morning all his anti goverment venom and down with social security. now there's a rumor that he may be linked as a relative of one of the keating five, robert wurzelbacher. stay tuned...

[JNagarya]

"Is there no decency on this site? This guy raised a legitmate question about Obama's wealth redistribution policies so now the left is going to make him pay. My gawd how low will you sink?"
_____

"Wealth redistribution" = Taxpayers involuntarily bailing out the Wall St. megawealthy.

So, which "wealth redistribution" do you oppose? That which benefits the taxpayer who actually pays his taxes.

[bitemeredstate]

Another case of an aspirational Republican mouth-breather voting against his economic self interest.

He probably occasionally test drives Cadillacs and complains about the lack of chrome.

[bennybeaver]

Taxes under Clinton Taxes under Bush 2008

Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250

[breakingnews]

And the economy under Clinton was BOOMING

Get it??

[JNagarya]

Those "higher taxes" paid for INFRASTRUCTURE, which means they CREATED JOBS.

Fruit-loop Republicans/lunatic fringe "Libertarians" want the benefits of taxation without the taxation. They want constant free lunch. So they BORROW money they MAY OR MAY NOT have IN THE FUTURE and SPEND IT TODAY.

[bennybeaver]

Where you making money then?

[bobbuck]

...and where's the deficit at?


.

[PoliticalEnnui]

Of course that's all in lieu of rising wages.

[Liberal2]

Hey, you missed the really big Bush tax cut: computer programmer making $75,000 under Clinton, Now working at WalMart as a greeter: $20,000.

Tax savings: 18,750

THANK YOU GEORGE BUSH.

[vegas9999]

Hey Joe, you must have got through to the stupid people. Drudge at 5:00= Gallup Barry by 2

[chris48]

My question is this-If Joe wasn't going to vote for Obama then why did he take the time and the trouble to go to his rally. If McCain were to come to my town I would not make the effort of finding parking, standing in line and the security checks just to see him. I do believe Joe was a plant. It just doesn't make sense otherwise.

[breakingnews]

One more time. Obama met Joe when he was going door to door in Joe's neighborhood last weekend in Ohio.

But the fact that Joe was on camera lyi-ng his crack off is funny!

[pupbayer]

I went to see Palin even though I don't support her. It's an interesting thing to do. I grew up going to political rallies for various candidates. Some people are not as closed as most on this site and still read and listen about the other side. It's a shame more Americans don't do that. I always learn something new.

[zippywpinhead]

pretty talking about being open minded while simultaneously lumping "most on this site" together unfairly..­.

nice hypocrisy.­..

[smartWENTcrazy]

This guy is clearly a Vic Mackey wannabe.

[crossoverwriter]

Joe the Plumber said on Good Morning America that paying taxes, especially the Obama way, is akin to socialism. No, Joe, hate to break it to ya, but paying taxes is how a democracy pays for many of its programs. In short, a democracy requires giving something back to the democracy. If we were socialist or communist, you wouldn't own your business at all, in fact , wouldn't make anywhere near 250 K.
So, Joe, if you don't want to be put in jail for back taxes, you better start paying. By the way, it's the Republicans who, in large part, got us into this "socialist" mess with the government buying up bank stocks and the like. The misconception way back when with Reagan being the "small government" hero was that his was actually a bloated government.

Joe, donlt fall for McCain's trap. Even your fellow union men see through it!