Joe the Plumber is a symbol of one variant of the American dream. In this story, anyone with drive and determination can be a success and those that are not successful are lazy.
But there is another American dream too (yes, there is more than one American dream!). In this story, we are not only here to be make money but to help our neighbors. This is the essence of our country’s religious/spiritual identity.
We are a society based on capitalistic principals but this should not be mutually exclusive from moving people out of poverty and into the middle class. This may look like socialism to some but it is not because a strong middle class is good for our economy.
We strive to be kind to others but some people are filled with greed and think little of the heads they trample on as they accumulate far more than they need.
Joe the plumber may be middle class but he symbolizes greed. Joe is in debt and cannot buy the plumbing business he works for. Joe would actually benefit more from the tax break he would get under Barack Obama’s plan! But Joe sees Barack Obama’s proposals to help Americans as government handouts for the less well-off.” He is wrong.
There are Joes’ out there with far less. They are suffering not for any lack of trying but because our economy is sinking. They are losing their homes not because they are lazy or irresponsible but because they have lost their jobs.
Many years ago, John F. Kennedy in his inauguration said: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” What did he mean by this?
What is a country? It is a group of people striving to live a decent life. The United States is a place where freedom rings. It is a place which believes in equal opportunity for all people. It is a place where we strive to care for each other.
I am fortunate enough to be solidly in the upper-middle class. Under Barack Obama’s presidency I will not pay any more taxes. Yes, I may not get an economic stimulus check but I did not need this money.
I want to know that I have done all I can to elect a president that cares about all of America. As the middle class is solidified and people are lifted out of poverty by sensible programs (which require people to work who are capable), we will know that we have helped America to be a better place.
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1 comment:
Joe the Plumber just asked a simple question that the press won't ask Mr.Obama ( that they should have asked themselves)
For this the press and Obama's campaign have gone out of their way to discredit Joe.so haven't you. Does it matter what Joe as done in the past? He asked a valid question. It doesn't matter if has been through a divorce, or doesn't have a license, He asked a question.
Instead of researching Joe why not take a deep look into Accorn and voter fraud.That Mr.Obama donated $825,000 to would you be so dismissive it was the McCain campaign that donated that much money to a group of people that are deliberely sabotaging the vote? If someone has registared 75 times that meens they can vote 75 times does it not?
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