McCain slams Obama on taxes in Penn.

I think Joe is confusing revenue, profit and taxable income. Joe''s revenue is 278K--not his profit. He has salaries, benefits, costs for running business (including paying loans) to deduct.

Even at a net of 250K+ he will only pay marginally more taxes on the amount above 250K (and less on the below). On every net 10K above 250K (after all those deductions) he will pay $300. The rest is taxed the same as before.

This is NOT the working capital of his business. It is his profit taking after whatever he invests in his business.

The 300 dollars will be part of what Joe''s customer''s get and can use to hire him, but most of their extra spending dollars will come from the CEO''s of Big Oil. They have a much higher net income than Joe will ever have.

Joe''s business (and Joe) will fare better under Obama''s proposed tax system than they do now as the people who have a net income of over 250K a year will pay a little bit more on what is above 250K and a bit less on the amount below. For many it will be a "wash", but when your net income is in the millions, you will have to share with Joe the Plumber.

I think Joe is mislead and misinformed, and the lack of critical journalism makes things worse.

WELL SAID, SAM!!! Bravo.

Finally, a voice of reason SAM! Can't we just sit back and watch McCain sigh, squirm, attack, and answer one direct question?? I can't>>>

Thank you Sam!!
I've been saying the exact same thing to everyone I debate with every day!!
It is their personal net income, not gross. There are growing companies that gross $2M and just break even.
People really have an obligation to take the time and effort to understand the proposed policies, the underlying logic, and the implications they have for both the individual, and the nation. Come on people!!
Stop listening to fact distorting (and fiction creating) campaign ads, absurd allegations/scare tactics, shut off the damn tv, and inform yourself!!!
You have a responsibility as an American to not only get a clue, but one that is based in reality, and supported by actual facts and logical arguments.
I do not understand how anyone, democrat or republican, can give their unbridled support for a candidate without actually understanding the issues, and what is at stake here.

I don't understand how people claim they know the issues, but say the same stupid things over and over. We got in this crisis by living beyond our means, banks writing intrest only loans on IOU's. We have not built a refinery for oil and gas in 3 decades, oil wells all over America capped off because it might give a tree frog a wart on his butt. We need as a Country to do everything in our power to help people stay in their homes, research and develop all types of energy resources, including drilling, offshore or not and actually do something for ourselves. How do you believe any tax increase would help us to do any of this. Even as you say it's only $300.

Sorry, I ran out of room in my prior post. I don't understand how people do not understand anything about oil in this Country. Do you realise that it costs well over $250,000 to drill one oil well that may or may not pay off. What do people think Big Oil does with their profits, they reinvest them in thier business. If we truly want to reduce fuel prices we need to drill, drill, drill. Basic supply and demand economics. Do I feel that we need to do this forever, NO! But until we develop alternative energy in this country, that is our short term answer. Raising any kind of taxes in this economy will be devastating, DEPRESSION.

Dear Shameless Beggars (a.k.a. Socialists),
Judging by the times of the comments, you folks don't work (or if you do work, someone should tell your bosses that you need more to do). That said, since you're not working, you're going to need Joe's money. Samcla, simple solution for you, instead of wasting your time dissecting a soon-to-fail economic plan: You and the rest of the nearly 50% of Americans who don't pay any federal income taxes start paying them, then there won't be a need for the Messiah to raise them.
Good luck to you bunch of Socialists. Sincerely,
Gainfully Employed, Tax Paying Proud American Citizen

Unfortunately people don't take the time and effort to understand. A major component of the Rove strategy in 00 and 04 was to take advantage of that through the constant repetition of falsehoods and half-truths. Embed it in people's mind and they will eventually accept it as true. Fortunately America has grown up a lot in the last eight years and it appears that we "won't get fooled again". Though Rove was still pushing that strategy on Fox after the debate last night, suggesting that McCain was too soft on Obama and should have attacked him more with (phony) accusations. This despite the fact that every time McCain did, the scores on the tracking devices went down. I guess that Rove hasn't caught on to the elightenment of America yet either.

What bugs me is that instead of portraying his tax plan as "spreading the wealth", Obama should be touting it as "correcting the imbalance" that was created though the Bush tax cuts. It's a much different message when you say "I'm giving you back what they took away". Or better yet "I'm taking back what they gave away". The data is there to show who benefitted from the Bush tax cuts. Use it!

Why don't people realize the Recessions and Depressions have been ushered in by Republican Presidents, yet EVERY boon is attributed to Democratic leadership? Calling Dems Socialists when Moron Bush demands government bails out the rich republican pigs of Wall Street!!!! Slam Bill Clinton all you want, but you right wing greed pigs benefitted greatly during that time of economic SURPLUS and your momsy and dadsy's paid for college and grad school. Self made gainfully employed my ass! I too am gainfully employed, pay my taxes, serve my community as a FF and paid for my college myself, pay my own way and hope this is the end of the republican party.

If you look at Obama''s plan, he is penalizing married couples. His increase in taxes on income over 250K is actually 250K er couple, but 200K for individuals. If taxes are raised on business, their cost of doing business will rise, and who do you think is going to pay that? They will raise prices on all the people that Obama is committed to helping. Plus, when prices rise, the most regressive of taxes, the sales tax, rises as well. I think Obama is naive with respect to tax policy, and if what people want is Robin Hood in the white house, vote for himl. Once there is a redistribution of wealth, watch out how the definition of wealthy will evolve.

Joe the Plumber: 1. Doesn't have a plumber's license, 2. made about 40K last year, 3. will not be buying the boss' business (about 100K income last year) and 4. owes $1200 in back taxes.

If Obama wins, he should get enough of a tax break to pay those back taxes.