Defining Moments of the Campaign

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Saturday, October 18. 2008

Defining Moments of the Campaign

This week�we had Joe the Plumber in front of his modest home with an old rusty basketball hoop for his kids, burdened with�tax debts�but uplifted by�his aspirations, and we had Sarah Palin stopping the campaign bus to get diapers at WalMart for her baby.

By way of contrast, we had Michelle Obama, a highly privileged Limo Liberal with millions in the bank and a $350,000/yr "administrative" job for some hospital or something,�ordering lobster, Iranian caviar, and champagne for a snack from room service - and whining all the while�about how mean and tough life is in America if you have two kids,�as her husband preaches about taking from Joe to give to...whom?

Those are�called "defining moments." We shrinks understand defining moments, because those are the moments when�patterns come into focus. Me? I love caviar... if I earn it.

Posted by Dr. Joy Bliss in Our Essays, Politics, Psychology, and Dr. Bliss at 08:21 | Comments (27) | Trackback (1)

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Hubris, Part II
Via the good people at Maggies' Farm, a further report on the behavior of That One. The gulf between the plumber and the community organizer seems to widening.....

Weblog: Agricola
Tracked: Oct 18, 12:35

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Very insightful post from Dr Joy Bliss.How do these liberals continue to fool the folks into believing that the Democrats are the party of the common man? They've been riding on that myth since the New Deal. In reality, however, the Republicans took over that mantle beginning with the election of '68 but have never quite been able to solidify the perception that they are the party of the average American citizen.

The politicians have a famous mantra: "Perception is reality", which forms the electoral Gestalt, but the Democrats' allies in the MSM have been busy beavers covering up these true "defining moments" by substituting the house propaganda/disinformation. That is what totalitarian states do.

But Republicans keep winning the Presidency because you cannot fool a majority of the people all of the time, thank God. I detect a real shift now which puts Obama on the defensive and McCain-Palin go to the electoral version of the 2 minute drill as the finish line fast approaches. I dream of a post-election recap which
begins: " Now it can be seen that the Obama Campaign was cruising along toward the finish line and victory until that fateful day in Toledo OH when Obama stopped to chat with Joe The Plumber while the cameras rolled...." Poetic justice.

#1 greenmtnpunter on 2008-10-18 09:41 (Reply)

I have the same dream. Boy, do I ever.

So much for "the medium is the message".
`

#1.1 Meta on 2008-10-18 11:42 (Reply)

One of the defining moments of this campaign did come from watching Michelle Obama talk that talk about America. I was flopped out on the couch and they played a replay of that particularly revolting moment. My reaction was so visceral and thunderous I scared myself and my dog by yelling politically incorrect words at the TV.

But one moment brought me to tears, and that was after Gov. Palin's first speech when she brought the house down. Her family came onto the stage followed by John McCain who looked so stunned and ebullient that he almost didn't know what to do. He was dazed. I wept. You could just see the life force in him come back and it was overwhelming. To me....
`

#2 Meta on 2008-10-18 11:52 (Reply)

Here's another "defining" moment for those of you that do nothing but stick to the party line, talking points, and cannot be bothered to actually focus on real issues.

Joe the Plumber is
Not named Joe
Is not a licensed plumber
Is not about to buy his bosses business
Is a tax cheat
And finally, is clearly a plant of the Republican party.

But, even dealing with the issues he raised, it's obvious that Joe, and anyone defending this joke have no clue at all about a progressive tax system. You know, the tax system this country has been founded upon. Joe can continue with his sound bites, but even IF he went from 249,000 to 280,000 his "increase" would only impact the money over 250,000. Even if he went from 249,000 to 251,000 he still walks away with more money. Only the 1,000 he makes above 250,000 is taxed at the higher rate he's complaining about.

It's called MATH, and it's not just for LIBRUL ELITSTS!!!!

Finally - help me understand something. You attack Michelle Obama because she makes 350,000 a year, but feel that poor old Joe the Plumber supposedly making 250,000 a year is a "regular guy" that the Democrats can't identify with? Really? 2% of all Americans make more than 250,000 a year. http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/what_percentage_of_the_us_population_makes.html

You defend one fake plumber as if he's struggling to make ends meet and poor Joe is gonna get screwed by Obama, yet you find it appropriate to bash Michelle Obama for eating caviar at the Walkdorf Astoria Hotel, and for making 350,000 a year.

Hypocrisy at its finest. Stupidity at its finest. Well done "doctor".

#3 Fido McCokefiend on 2008-10-18 12:08 (Reply)

Hey - that's just a distraction from the real issues facing America!

#3.1 BD on 2008-10-18 12:48 (Reply)

How could he be a plant if Obama stopped in front of his house for a blue-collar photo op?

#3.1.1 BD on 2008-10-18 12:51 (Reply)

So, really, what flavor kool-aid are you drinking?

#3.1.1.1 Beatrix on 2008-10-18 13:56 (Reply)

Fido obviously doesn't "get it", just as Fido's liberal friends don't either. And for that condescending, tres elitest attitude toward Joe, Obama is going to lose this election.

Joe The Plumber represents tens of millions of Americans who have aspirations for a better life, many by going into bsuiness and becoming self-employed. But the "Government" Party, i.e., Democrats, of course, don't understand that.

So every time that Fido, and Obama, and any number of MSM attack good ol'Joe, they are attacking -and alienating-those tens of millions of Americans who dream of a better life. Democrats can be counted on to shoot themselves in the foot this way every four years.

#4 greenmtnpunter on 2008-10-18 14:05 (Reply)

GMP,

In spite of what they say, Obama the Socialist and the Democrats do not want people to have that success. Dependency on government is the key to maintaining power and control.

People who obtain success, including financial success, usually do not want the government as a partner. The people and businesses that do want to partner with government are typically looking for a handout or for protection from competition.

As far as Fido is concerned, he completely misses the point. Obama wants to redistribute the wealth in this country from those who earned, created or inherited it to those who have had less economic success for whatever the reason. As Marianne says, fairer for whom?

Fido also misses the juxtaposition of Michelle eating Iranian caviar on another person's dime. It's the typical elitist attitude. If she was so concerned about the little people, she could have had a hamburger so the money could have been used elsewhere. But no, the people are there to serve the Obamas and not the other way around.

She reminds me of another famous woman whose name began with M. Marie said, Let them eat cake! I only hope that Barack and Michelle Obama lose their proverbial head on November 4.

In addition, Fido's post condescending boot. We are all so stupid!

I don't know Fido, but I would guess that more has been accomplishments by the freedom loving folks here than he can imagine. Maybe he needs the government to take care of him because he can't do it for himself.

#4.1 Barrett on 2008-10-18 16:17 (Reply)

Sorry for the typos. I did not proof read. My apologies.

#4.1.1 Barrett on 2008-10-18 17:37 (Reply)

You will come to Iran for the caviar, but you will stay for the hangings!

#5 prairie dog on 2008-10-18 14:30 (Reply)

Oh Fido, Fido, go water a tree.

1] Joe W. doesn't need a license to do residential plumbing, only commercial plumbing in commercial buildings;
2] Joe is apprenticed to a licensed plumber working for the company he works for, until sometime next year when he will get his license. Apprenticeship, a formerly respectable, and widespread technique where experienced practitioners of a specific skill are passing on knowledge and training folks who wanted to actually do skilled labor and do it right. It is part of training for a vocation in the real world. In my youth we had quite a lot of respected vocational schools which prepared folks, who didn't want to be clerks or do white collar work, to do quite complicated things like create real machinery, repair cars, do plumbing and electrical work and other activities that keep the real world running smoothly.
3] Mr. Wurzelbacher has a small lien [$1200] against him for a disputed tax claim. How much do you owe Uncle Sam, Fido? And have you paid it?
4] The important thing here is not an investigation of Joe's supposed character flaws. It's the question he asked Obama, and Obama's answer which you are trying to distract us from; i.e. Obama said we're going to have to redistrbute your wealth, "to make everything fairer. "

Fairer? For whom? It's my money. In a "fair" world, I get to keep it. In your world, you get to keep my money. Which is not fair.

Marianne

#6 Marianne Matthews on 2008-10-18 15:29 (Reply)

1. I'm off the fence when it's proven that he's not related in any way to Keating.

2. If the media shoves a camera in your face, the correct answer is always "No comment".

3. And finally, in all his mass media ads, why does T. Boone Pickins (net worth $3 billion) tell us to hound our politicians? Is he looking to leverage his position with our money?

#7 commander clopfelter (Link) on 2008-10-18 15:38 (Reply)

Joe is Keating. He's just wearing a Joe halloween mask. The NYT says so.

#7.1 BD on 2008-10-18 16:11 (Reply)

As the retired peasants 401(k)s shrink to nothing, presumptuous Queen Michelle Antoinette replies, "Let them eat caviar."

#8 Mike Davis on 2008-10-18 17:00 (Reply)

Yeah, I'm tired of seeing old T. Boone Pickinmypocket being oh-so-sincere and fatherly. Red flag.

If Joe was a plant, how did the republicans 'force' Obama to stop in his yard? Did they plant his kid and dog there, too?
`

#9 Meta on 2008-10-18 17:13 (Reply)

A 'double' (agent) plant?

#9.1 commander clopfelter (Link) on 2008-10-18 17:50 (Reply)

Which negates my Keating-fence statement. Could Obama have known in advance how this all might play out and planned this?

Is this typical for politicians � plans within plans sneak attacks interspersed with the occasional humane hobnobby moments like we saw at the Al Smith dinner?

Politicians are a tricky breed � that psycho I told you about � the rest of my story is that we did full-on political warfare and ruined each others reputations in our biz. I had to spend some time in recovery mode, she simply went into local politics and "community service" and has done quite well there.

#9.2 commander clopfelter (Link) on 2008-10-18 17:58 (Reply)

I think the defining moments is yet to come. Sometime around August or September of NEXT year when the lawsuits have run their course.

But another defining moment has turned into a mini series.

I'm referring to the pirates that are still holding two major superpowers at bay on the high seas.(maximum punnage) It's not like we can't find them, they're surrounded but I just finished an article all about gee what is gonna happen etc.

Well I'll tell ya. the tanks on that ship can't be the last tanks the Soviets have and why the hell they don't just sink the ship and kill any survivors, thus sending a firm message, is beyond me. They invade Georgia but they'll let some thugs on a boat hold them off for what now, 10 years?

I have now turned to blogging alone as therapy for all that I see in this world that is incomprehensible, from Obama being followed like the next Hitler ( and the idolatry is scary similar) to the pirates, to 220,000 illegal voters that they KNOW of in Ohio but are going to vote, to the mass number of felon's similarly positioned.

And I'm not sure I can hang on to reality in a world like that. The government giving away 700 billion to unfreeze the credit markets but instead a hunk of it goes to pay multi million dollar bonus's to the Wall Streeters that in part created the mess....I think I'm gonna go back on psychotropic drugs. Have I entered an alternate reality where idiocy now rules or is it because the NEA has screwed up the last five generations? Geez I need help.

#10 Habu on 2008-10-18 18:35 (Reply)

You are not alone, Habu. I think anyone with the curiousity to look beneath the surface - as if the surface isn't scary enough - and project into the future sort of goes delusional for a bit. I've cut out two daily blog stops just to avoid the endless bad news.

That ship has 'sand' on it that is radioactive. They really are at a standstill as they can't sink it. Greenpeace won't let them. Sixteen pirates have died after exposure to the stuff. What I read conjectured that it was headed near Israel for a grand detonation. I don't buy that as the death toll would include half the ME. What I think is there is a whole lot of behind the scenes stuff going on and that it's all being kept very quiet. I don't think Somalia is involved in the 'secret' talks. Let them sink into the ocean.

Someone (us) has someone else over a big barrel, but we can't fire any shots across that bow. That's a pretty stupid pun and I don't care.

Keep writing, Habu. It helps.
`

#10.1 Meta on 2008-10-18 22:51 (Reply)

No surprise to see that none of you are able to talk about the basic facts about the progressive tax system that "Steve the unlicensed apprentice and tax cheat"was completely wrong about.

I should have known that math is too hard for you red-staters...

BTW, you realize that Obama wants to increase the highest marginal rate to 39%, 20% lower than it was when Ronald Reagan was president?

I also love that no one can address the hypocrisy of defending poor plumbers making $250,000 a year are the salt of the earth, and are living the Amuricun Dream�, yet Michelle Obama is a out of touch elitist because she makes $350,000.

Going from top 2% to the top 1.5% of the earners in this country is the cutoff from average Joe to out of touch Elitist?

My guess is that just like "Steve the unlicensed apprentice and tax cheat" you, like the vast majority of Republicans, do not even make enough money to be affected.

You've bought the dream sold you by the right wing, to wit: Someday I'll be rich! And when I am, I'll want lower taxes.

Nevermind your ACTUAL life. Base your political ideals on your FANTASY OF YOURSELF.

Please stay away from sharp objects on Nov 4th.

#11 Fido McCokefiend on 2008-10-18 22:56 (Reply)

Fido...

Aside from myself, this is a mature and fairly experienced group for the most part... meaning they see through bullshit fairly adeptly. You may have more success elsewhere.

#11.1 Luther McLeod on 2008-10-19 00:26 (Reply)

Was it hard to type that particular comment with a straight face? This group, however old they are, are fully committed to stoking each others' misinformed and willfully ignorant little brains, and the majority have their heads so far up their own asses they're feeding off their own bullshit.

#11.1.1 Derek on 2008-10-21 13:18 (Reply)

Fido,

This is a very well informed group here at Maggie's Farm but we are in need of a foil for the run up to November 4. Are you trying out for the role? Any others out there ready to try out?

#12 greenmtnpunter on 2008-10-19 10:19 (Reply)

GMPunter ... don't encourage old Fido. Like all of his fellow puppies, he just can't listen, but he can bark incessantly. Very annoying.

Marianne

#13 Marianne Matthews on 2008-10-19 11:35 (Reply)

In my utopia:

Democrat would become the party of big spending, big military, big unions, big civil works projects and programs, big budget deficits and big taxes for Mr. Big as the way to powerful economies.

Republican would become the party of fiscal responsibility, free trade not wars, aiding personal responsibility, focusing privately funded big projects thru lean mean problem solving and competent leadership as the way to powerful economies.

It�d sure make my job of devising the:

Commanders Universal Political Economic Formula That Not Even God Would Debate

a lot easier.

#14 commander clopfelter (Link) on 2008-10-19 15:20 (Reply)

I didn't see this mentioned in the comments, I guess the problem is that the post is now a little bit older so people are not looking at it. But I thought I should point out that the NY Post has now retracted the story about Michelle Obama and her room service. She was not even in the state.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10212008/gossip/pagesix/room_disservice_134490.htm

Feels like a bit of a notapology though, all the blame goes to the source according to the post, apparently fact checking is not their job.

#15 MrProsser on 2008-10-24 02:30 (Reply)

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Saturday, October 18. 2008

Defining Moments of the Campaign