Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, Joe the Plumber: Fighting for the American Dream (Austin, Texas: PearlGate Publishing 2008) 192 pp.

Few discoveries are more irritating than those which expose the pedigree of ideas.
-- Lord Acton

The greatness of our nation can more easily be undone than you might expect. What I witnessed . . . only reinforced my view of how fragile our freedom is.
-- Samuel J. Wurzelbacher

Not since the publication of God and Man at Yale, William F. Buckley, Jr.'s seminal book, has there been a more thorough re-evaluation of the tenets of modern conservative thought. Samuel J. Wurzelbacher's initial work, Joe the Plumber: Fighting for the American Dream, picks up the mantle of Buckley's unassailable philosophy. Wurzelbacher posits "[t]he greatness of our nation can more easily be undone than you might expect" and "[m]any great nations in history have unraveled before and it will happen again." (p. 47) This prescient analysis, so simple in its delivery yet so profound in its implications, clearly builds on the work of Buckley, F. A. Hayek, Leo Strauss, Milton Friedman, and Norman Podhoretz.

Wurzelbacher revises and updates modern conservatism and carves out his place among the pantheon of living conservative intellectuals. These infallible thinkers, like Wurzelbacher, have produced treatises in recent years that are sure to stand the test of time. Stephen Moore's Bullish on Bush: How George W. Bush's Ownership Society Will Make America Stronger (2004) and Michael Barone's Hard America, Soft America: Competition and Coddling and the Battle for the Nation's Future (2004), have now been joined by Wurzelbacher's masterpiece.

Wurzelbacher synthesizes strains of conservative thought elucidating a conceptual framework that fuses the exceptionalism of American culture with a sanguine and levelheaded view of America's role in international affairs. Like Wurzelbacher, David Brooks outlines in Bobos in Paradise (2001) and in On Paradise Drive (2004) a flawless analysis of exceptional American cultural attributes. Additionally, Norman Podhoretz identifies the gravest external threat to the United States and emphasizes what must be the central organizing principle of American foreign policy in World War IV: The Long Struggle Against Islamofascism (2007). Like Brooks and Podhoretz, Wurzelbacher demonstrates his mastery, as only an unassuming workingman could, over the unpredictable and complex cultural and international conflicts that have come to define and challenge modern America.

Wurzelbacher consciously expands on the work of F.A. Hayek, one of the leading conservative intellectuals of the twentieth century, by examining the fragility of civil society in the face of contending expressions of "socialism." "The greatness of our nation can more easily be undone than you might expect. Many great nations in history have unraveled before and it will happen again." (p. 47) This Wurzelbacherian historicism is replete with layers of multifaceted and revelatory observations that only someone elbow deep in the work of a humble plumber could contemplate.

Wurzelbacher, ever cognizant of the pedigree of conservative thought that informs his study, elaborates on the time-tested and indomitably wise precepts of Hayek's The Road to Serfdom and Leo Strauss's The City and Man and Natural Right and History. Wurzelbacher's deep understanding of the intellectual umbilical cords that anchor modern conservatism is why the two leading lights of the conservative intelligentsia, Mike Gallagher and Sean Hannity, have offered their high praise of his work: "Joe's story is the iconic American tale," writes Gallagher, while Hannity sums it up this way: "He is truly a great American."

Like other contemporary conservative authors such as Ann Coulter, Dick Morris, and Bill O'Reilly, Wurzelbacher quietly toils in obscurity compiling his ideas far outside the limelight of "liberal" media attention. "I am not special," he writes, "nor do I believe I have a calling or that I have some self-image of greatness to protect." Wurzelbacher continues: "Some have claimed whether Conservative or Liberal, that I crave the media spotlight and that I live for the attention. . . . I am a private kind of guy -- more private than most. . . . No, I surely do not like anything about the supposed limelight in the slightest." (p. 46) Hence, like Coulter, Morris, O'Reilly and other low-key, sincere, and understated conservative intellectuals, Wurzelbacher cares not about receiving accolades or financial compensation, his only desire is to impart his insights for the benefit of future generations and the nation.

The lasting wisdom of Wurzelbacherism cannot be denied or ignored. Why else would the response from his detractors be so strident? Wurzelbacher is in good company; Alan Bloom, Leo Strauss, William F. Buckley, Jr., and even Margaret Thatcher were all forced to endure similar attacks after they presented in writing, and unapologetically, their innovative and foolproof conservative principles. "The minions of the Democrat political machine mobilized a successful campaign against me, a private citizen," Wurzelbacher reminds his readers, "which stirred up hatred you cannot believe." (p. 45) Wurzelbacher was taken aback by the senseless attacks from "the Internet trash machines of the Huffington Post, the Daily Kos and others." "I just couldn't understand," he laments, "why a plumber was so dang important amidst the most important election of our lifetime." [Italics in Original] (p. 42) Surely, Bloom, Strauss, Buckley, and Thatcher would be able to relate to the kind of politically motivated persecution that Wurzelbacher has faced.

Drawing on the time-tested and proven monetarism of Milton Friedman and the supply-side economics of Jude Wanniski and Arthur Laffer, Wurzelbacher rejects the concept of a graduated income tax and other redistributive government policies as typical Democratic social engineering. The liberal establishment, Wurzelbacher points out, cannot grasp "why a guy like me, a bona fide member of the middle class and all, wouldn't embrace Robin Hooding my neighbor who has a few more bucks than I do." [Italics in Original] (p. 44) Elsewhere in his masterful exegesis, Wurzelbacher lucidly delineates this point: "I am hard-pressed to believe [President Barack Obama] won't wind up taxing us all to pay for his enormously expensive government entitlement programs in one way, shape or form. Moreover, I find it distasteful and morally reprehensible to take money away from someone who has worked harder than I have, been at it longer, or has had better breaks." (p. 26) There exists in English no superior or more succinct encapsulation of the thesis contained in Milton Friedman's Capitalism and Freedom than the one Wurzelbacher enunciates in this remarkable book.

Readers should be reminded that it was not Wurzelbacher who thrust himself into the center of the American political debate of 2008, nor was he just a pawn that the McCain campaign cynically used for crass political gain, nor is he a pitiful contrivance designed to deceive working people into voting against their own class interests -- I daresay no! The Honorable Samuel J. Wurzelbacher is in fact a humble American workingman who wants nothing more than to unclog toilets and chase turds in obscurity.

Comments

[deal-with-it]

Dems lied. The economy died. Watch the video and comment if you will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMnSp4qEXNM

I am tired of those who harp on only the Republocrats (who certainly did have responsibility in this mess). If we cannot understand the reasons why we got into this mess and instead stick to going after intellectual peons like Wurzelbacher, then we are nothing more than partisan hacks out for quick jabs at opponents, instead of trying to be honest with ourselves and find the solution.

[brklynivn]

Well he did sell five of them at a recent book signing. That's the height of conservative intellectualism these days....

[Januarycarol]

Do you suppose he thinks that the book isn't terribly original?
How many of the words in the "Review" do you think J-the-P can spell, much less define?

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

january, there's a real ghost writer whose name is on the jacket, but I decided to be merciful to this journalist who is just trying to make a living so I didn't mention his name -- it will be forever besmirched but I don't think he deserves it -- like I said, it's hard out there to make a living and if you can make some money ghost writing right-wing drivel for a plumber, well, who am I to judge?

[Stanislaw]

I still say that lying about being a writer is better than lying about being a plumber.

[Januarycarol]

I hope you know my reference to J-the-P was to the Plumber, not the Palermo. Of course you did.
I respect that you honor a fellow writer. I'm a poet. I know all there is about not writing for profit.
But plese don't carry your non-judgmentalism too far. We need your sarcasm/irony.

[Skua]

How come all the quotes except one are from pages 42-47? Would you say that this is the intellectual heart of the volume, like the funeral speeches in "Julius Caesar"?

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Skua, I refuse to buy this object and I wouldn't even go to Borders to hold it in my hand -- so I just lifted from the publisher's web site the excerpt about 47 pp. there -- I'm sure the rest of this thing is among the worst "books" ever produced since Gutenberg invented movable type.

[jade7243]

Devilishly Brilliant!!!!

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks Jade, it's a strange post, but the ideas of Joe the Plumber really aren't that different from the "intellectuals," which is kind of weird when you think about it.

[BluestateGuyInTX]

And your post nicely mirrored the sort of pseudo-intellectual claptrap that is usually written about Hayek, Friedman, and other "luminaries" of right wing "thought". Nice double take-down there.

I had a great time reading it. Thanks for lightening my day.

[DasBoot]

As Keith Olbermann put it the other day: Dumb and Plumber.

[PW1206]

Fan-tastic, particularly the parts where you demonstrate your clearly superior command of the English language (that is to say... the entirety of the article?).

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey thanks, I don't think I ever "punked" anyone before but the comments sections reveals I did at least once. Let's discuss the "conservative" ideas that inform Wurzelbacherism seriously since the way I see it the Plumber isn't saying anything different than what Barone, Brooks, Friedman, Podhoretz etc. say except their work is dressed up as "scholarship" -- the conclusions are all the same: don't tax capital, let corporations run everything, yadda yadda

[lgillooly]

Rush and Joe are dead wrong,but they have millions of followers. The only wat to break through to these dittoheads is to PROVE these dopes are wrong. That means we focus on Media infrastructure. Since they own talk radio we need a grassroots campaign to get on the phone and call into local right wing radio and SET THEM STRAIGHT. Otherwise, Rush will get his minions to vote R and we are back in 1994,but with MUCH bigger problems.

[BluestateGuyInTX]

Fortunately reality is setting in. As the fantastic regulation-free economy that the right wing noise machine has been touting fails, even the ditto heads are beginning to question the fake reality of talk radio.

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm afraid there is not enough pepto bismol or kaopectate in the world for me to read the other 150 pages.

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for indulging me readers. Sometimes I just have to purge and lighten up a bit. Is there anyone on the left who could write a book like Wurzelbacher's? Or have such media fame for his views? I guess Rick Santelli will be coming out with a book soon - but guys with suits who yell at you from a trading floor aren't too popular right now since they looted everyone's pensions -- Wurzelbacherism henceforward I'm hoping with be defined: "any device or attempt to use pseudo-populist appeals to get working people to vote against their own interests.­"

[MaryKathO]

Granted, it took me a bit of time to realize I was being 'punked'..­.my brain is still a little foggy from all the media hype over Limbaugh's BRILLIANT, masterly delivered 'policy' address to the trolls attending the annual CPAC convention. I understand there was a stampede at the Barnes & Noble booksigning that took place last week for 'Joe's' book. Since I was reluctant to stand in line all day for my personally signed copy, I decided that I would just wait for a chance to get mine on eBay...for CHUMP CHANGE.

[philistine]

Just check the the dumpsters behind Barnes and Noble a week from now. I'm sure you'll have your pick of remainders to choose from.

[johnie2xs]

....or maybe when it goes on the used paperback market, comic book, or "Cliff Note". The last will be required reading at Liberty and Regents Universities.

[Januarycarol]

The library! The library! That's where you go when you are driven by morbid curiosity, but don't want to send actual money to the author or publisher.
Of course, there are also other GREAT reeasons to use the library. A great resource and joy.

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Gosh I hope my local library didn't waste scarce resources purchasing that book.

[JScott]

So how's the book selling. Remember only 10000 make it a NYT best seller. I guess we can all gauge that when it's for sale at the bargain bin at Big Lots, 99 cent only, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar Stores or similar or in the FREE for the taking bin at the public library.

[gbenga30]

Joe the so-called plumber is a joker. He is neither politically or socially conservative.

[fireW]

If the american dream has turned into the quest for fame & fortune as a reward for lying & fraud, then JTP is a stunning success and has done his part to demonstrate the dubious triumph of style over substance. Pathetic.

[Gregorio]

The "Internet trash machine" has struck again, this time with elegance and "a plumb". Incisive review, surely exhibiting the highest levels of Socratic irony! I imagine reading the whole book would further flush out Joe's links to the other great thinkers of neocon philosophy--but I'll take your word for it. I prefer letting Joe the Plumber, well, go ahead and plumb.