Earlier this week, I noticed the meme about this mysterious "plumber" and Senator Obama wanting to take his money to give to everyone else, already circulating.
My diary is here
Problem is, "Joe the Plumber" talked to Obama because he would be buying a company that earned more than $250K a year. That's not what a standard blue-collar plumber can afford to do. He's doing quite well, in other words.
And Obama made it clear that his taxes would raise just 3%, from 36% to 39%, to pay for the missing funds of those making less than $250,000 with their tax cuts. Unfortunately, the meme is all about Obama taking from those who have money to give to those who don't.
That's not at all what Obama stated. The money all goes to the Government. Just those who can afford to pay a little more will pay a bit more, and those who are struggling, making less, will have to pay less. No money is changing hands.
So this is another lie, that the networks aren't stopping by showing the full video or explaining the lie to their viewers. Instead they just keep calling up the name Senator McCain has given him:
Joe the Plumber
UPDATE: From the comments, people have pointed out two major points.
- The rise in taxes would be marginal. That is, the extra tax doesn't start applying until profits reach the $250,000 level.
- The $250,000 is based on profits, not on revenue. That means the business is worth, and brings in, much more than this. That's still a substantial business, and if a few thousand dollars more in taxes a year will make the business too expensive for the man to buy, then he shouldn't be purchasing it in the first place.