The information age has had a funny effect on politics. Even though it seems that many people don't take advantage of it, modern informational technology allows voters unprecedented access to any aspect of the election that they choose.
It's that choice that has become so damning to John McCain following this recent "Joe the Plumber" nonsense. McCain brought Joe Wurzelbacher up in debate as a symbol of a demographic, but somewhere along the line he lost what the man stood for in the media frenzy about the man himself.
To recap: The man who confronted Barack Obama about details of his economic policy, specifically the $250,000 tax milestone and how it would impact his plans to buy the plumbing business he works for, has no real plans to buy said business (his boss is not interested in selling, either), owes back taxes, does not have a plumbing license and doesn't actually fall into the two percent of small business owners who will be adversely affected by Obama's tax plans.
No one even calls him Joe. His name is Samuel.
Now, on one hand, voters have every right to be angered over this, for a variety of reasons.
The McCain camp denies planting this man to ask Obama questions before anyone accused them of doing such a thing. If he is a plant, this speaks to the McCain camp's inability to even do basic research on political weapons they plan to deliver as knockouts.
Both candidates can and, to a degree, have been using Sam the plumber as a vacation from discussing the issues that neither are strong on. There's indignation being sent across the fence by both parties, whether it be the Obama camp's 'mocking' tone towards Sam or the fact that the McCain camp is to blame for this man being on the national tongue at all.
But what did McCain want to do with "Joe," besides finally rattle Obama and win the presidency? He wanted to make Joe a symbol of a demographic that might be hurt by Obama's plans, hoping that Americans would find a little bit of "all for one and one for all" camaraderie deep in their hearts.
This was just another ham-fisted attempt by the McCain camp to expose a real flaw in Obama's plans. Only two percent of small business owners make enough money for their taxes to go up if Obama is elected, but those two percent will be in a hard situation.
Instead of concentrating on the fascinating debate this fact could foment, however, the American people get a background check on Samuel Joseph Wurlezbacher. Why? Because it's easier to demonize one man than to pay attention to the hard question he raises.
Wake up, America.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
