Religion and the Final Debate

Religion was never mentioned, but it was hiding behind code words such as abortion, vouchers, fairness and possibly health care. In the end, do American politicians believe that faith is measured only by these handful of code words? How many American Christians will vote their faith only within these narrow confines?

Unrelated topic: Someone please help me. I am totally confused about "Joe the plumber." This is what I heard:

1. Joe said he could not buy the plumbing business where he works because of Obama's tax plans.

2. Obama said there will be tax increase except for the 5 percent of Americans who earn more than $250,000 a year.

This must mean that Joe would make more than $250,000 a year after he buys the plumbing business. Or does it mean that already makes more than $250,000 a year??

Either way, how might this keep him from buying the plumbing business? Does it mean the previous owner will up the price out of Joe's range? (If so, why would an increase in taxes cause him to do so?) Does it mean that Joe would not have enough money to make the payments on the new business (assuming he is going to borrow money to buy it or the previous owner is going to accept payments over time)? That should not affect Joe's taxable income other than to lower it; payments on either a loan or a purchase plan would be business expenses (right?) and there reduce the taxable profit. This not a trick question. Please, somebody help me understand how it would keep Joe from buying the business if he has to pay higher taxes?

Comments

[Alex B]

Monte, what's interesting to me is the lack of comprehensive thinking. There are probably 10 different issues or policies (inflation, local, state, federal tax, energy costs, costs of higher crime,poor education and etc and etc)that would impact one's small business or household income or quality of life. Just because taxes are lower does not mean I have more purchasing power or the ability to have a higher standard of living. For example, I believe the while taxes have been lower the last 8 years, we have much less wealth. Lack of seeing the bigger picture makes these indvidual issues rather out of focus, I think.

[Monte]

Alex, you make an excellent point! Are you bold enough to help me understand what the situation is with Joe the plumber?