http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/The_Joe_file.html?showall

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Oh and Joe doesn't make close to 250k and isn't going to anytime soon.

And I agree that he would be hard pressed to make 250k as a plumber, especially in Ohio. His *business* might make that - if he really hustles, and has some people working for him - but not him personally.

There was a big splash a few years back when one of our line crew chiefs made $224k. That was with considerable overtime of course (the regular salary is around 90k) and private contractors don't pay themselves overtime. The only reason that crew chief got that much OT was because of the shortage of workers, the insane construction boom at the time, and the big windstorm. Given the economy, I don't think poor Joe will be as lucky, at least in the short term.

I was also really struck at the amount of time and honest explanation. No BS or dancing around it. I also love how Barack points out he's trying to raise his own taxes.

I wish last night he would have looked right into the camera and said that HE is willing to pay more taxes so that the average person gets a break.

Of course, I still wonder if it WILL result in Barack or Buffet or the Clintons actually paying more taxes or if it will all balance out somewhere else. But damn it would have made a good soundbite and probably made more people take notice.

Joe was just on Good Morning America, sexy guy - he is registered to vote - says he does not make the 250,00 but wonders why the tax system takes it away so much if you manage to get there - does not like socialism.

Would not tell his vote, but said to America, get informed and vote based on your own conclusions.

Nice guy.

Obama is cooking, more money to spend, better calming composed posture, it is his. The public thinks he will be better at the problems, and here is hoping.

And what a fucking mess he gets to run ...

If the business is turning a PROFIT of $250k, it isn't really a "small" business, is it? And, Joe should get himself a new tax advisor, because when you own a small business, you don't want to show a huge profit like that. You want to pay as little taxes as possible. More likely the business GROSSES $250k, which is different, as anyone who took Economics 101 knows.

See http://elicense1-lookup.com.ohio.gov/SearchCriteria.asp?

The second is that he seems to have an outstanding lien against him from last year for unpaid state income taxes.

Exactly what do you think government does through taxation? The Republicans spread the wealth, too, they just make sure it doesn't spread to you. I want the wealth to stop spreading around CEOs for a change and start spreading around small business, communities and infrastructure.

I guess that makes me a socialist, but at least it also makes me delightful, apparently. Eat your heart out.

That's the selling point when rich peopl -- er, I mean Republicans are pitching a flat tax, anyway. In practice I consider the odds of them not leaving themselves some big, fat loophoes to be approximately nil.

People who can afford more should pay more. I don't care if it's called "spreading the wealth" or "socialism" or whatever -- all this red-baiting is so 1955. It's a perfectly reasonable idea and I'm sick to death of hearing rich people bitch about paying their fair share of taxes in exchange for the chance to live in a society that enjoys public benefits like schools, roads and public health. These things are to everyone's benefit, including whiny rich people.

The "Tax Revolution" rhetoric popularized under Reagan has produced a couple generations of entitled, math-challenged infants who want somebody else to pay for all the benefits they enjoy, and who think that running up gigantic debts equals "fiscal responsibility."

In reality most of them are just hoping they die before the bill comes due. Screwing over future generations is not a reasonable basis for a political ideology.

You know, Obama completely didn't answer my question. Yes or No, that all he needed to say.

I'm just trying to make a living and raise my kid.