McCain's Last Hope: Joe The Plumber?

In the waning days of a campaign in which he has not been able to find traction for his message, Mr. McCain may have found an ally in an unlikely figure. Joe the Plumber had the courage to tell Mr. Obama, to his face, that Mr. Obama's plan would punish his success by raising his taxes. Mr. McCain mentioned Joe several times in the debate, but it is too early to tell if he will resonate with voters. Mr. Biden said he didn't know any Joe the Plumbers in his neighborhood, though he also can't remember which restaurants are still open there either. He also lumped in Joe with all other plumbers and with other blue collar professions. Therein lies the issue. The point is not that Joe is a plumber, but that he wants to own a business.

This is the distinction that is critical. Mr. Obama's plan would punish successful small businesses. Don't be distracted by all this "98% of small businesses make less than 250k" nonsense that is spewed about. Those businesses are either hobby businesses, which are run on the side, or without the real intent of making significant profit, or are new businesses struggling to get off the ground. According to the Small Business Administration, 50% of small businesses fail in the first 5 years. Many people also own multiple small busniesses. When you isolate down to established, full time, profit oriented businesspeople, the percentage who earn over 250k is significant.

The reason for this is because owning a small business is risky and hard work. As noted above there is a significant risk of failure. Your pay is not guaranteed. Unlike an employee, who shows up and gets paid, unless let go, small businesses only make profit if they make it happen, regardless of excuses or luck. They also often plough significant amounts of their own savings into starting their business, only to lose it all if the business fails. They work long hours, in fact, according to the SBA, they should expect to work twelve hours a day, six or seven days a week.

Why would anyone want to do this? Because of the possibility of making good money and providing a good life for their family. Why should they be punished for their ambition and hard work?

If someone wants to take the easy path and work for someone else, it is their right. They can stake their fortunes on those who run the company, and share in the good and the bad. This is what most of America does. However, they should not be allow to punish those who decided to work hard to accomplish something more, to force the successful to pay for tax cuts and tax credits/backdoor welfare for those who don't. Those who succeed should not be forced to bear the cost of everybody. Those who didn't risk to start the business should not reap the rewards.

It may be obvious that I have people I know and admire in mind when I write this. Two, in particular, come to mind. While they come from different backgrounds, one from an elite college, the other barely literate, and operate very different businesses, each worked extremely hard to establish their business. Each worked twelve hour days routinely, and invested incredible amounts of effort into their business. Both now after years of work, are able to provide very well for their family. Both would be severely punished under Mr. Obama's tax plan. Each one is hoping, or praying, for a defeat for Mr. Obama, even though neither likes Mr. McCain.