Guest Post: To Joe the Plumber from Scott the Preacher
Scott Lohse, pastor of St. Martin’s United Church of Christ in Dittmer, Mo., won our “Five Minutes with a Candidate” contest and will guest blog here through the election.
I guess you are experiencing a wildfire of instant and fleeting fame after being referred to so much in Wednesday night’s presidential campaign debate! In fact you may or may not realize this, but I just looked at the web site CafePress.com and noticed they are even selling Joe the Plumber T-shirts already.
The shirt I liked the most says, “Support Joe the Plumber because our economy is in the toilet.” A close second, however, is the shirt that says “No more drips in the White House.” I suppose you have already heard all of the plumber humor that you can bear.
You were selected as a prototypical person who might be able to succeed in your own small business if the U.S. tax code were to provide the proper climate for you. You have not made an endorsement yet in the current campaign, but you have made it pretty clear that if you ever were to earn a quarter-million dollars a year, you would not want for it to place you into a higher tax bracket.
Joe, I have to tell you that I feel your pain. I actually know a number of small business owners and they feel that a good deal of hard earned money constantly goes for operating expenses. As difficult as it can sometimes be to earn a living in this climate, I have to say that I have always subscribed to the notion that the customer is No. 1.
By that, I mean the best thing for the small business owner would be a healthy economy. That would help the greatest number of people fare well, so they have the resources they need. And they can feel like they can afford the services and goods you have to offer them.
Here is the thing Joe: I am looking for something new in the tax structure of our great nation that will stop awarding the best breaks to just a few people at the top and building on the backs of the majority.
I hope you do get your license to become a plumber Joe, and that you do make six figures.
I wish you well, but I believe that the current mess that our economy is in is due to people who already have more than they need always seeking to get more. Meanwhile, others, who cannot even afford health care and do not have any one to speak up for them, truly suffer.
Our system is broken, Joe, because the numbers of the poor and those on food stamps are growing while those who are wealthy continue to get more exclusive. Take heart, Joe, this economy is a drain on all of us.
So, here’s the question: Do you think that Americans have it within ourselves to look at the current state of affairs and ask, “What is best for everyone?” and not just, “What is best for me?”
Guest blogger Scott Lohse is the winner of our "Five Minutes with a candidate" contest and will post guest blogs through the election.
He is the pastor of St. Martin's United Church of Christ in Dittmer, Mo. He has also served United Methodist Churches in Eastern Missouri towns over the past 30 years including Kennett, Bonne Terre, Jackson, Creve Coeur and Manchester. Scott has also worked as a hospice chaplain and a radio broadcaster. He is also an amateur magician.
Scott has been married for 30 years to his wife Lin. They have three children. He is an avid reader, a news junkie, and he spends more time online than he cares to admit. 
Mr. Lohse,
Of course I have benefited from the work of others, but not through re-distribution of wealth, through working together to achieve a goal. We are not doing our lower class any favors by never demanding more of them.
Pastor Scott, I’m sorry that it took me so long, I usually put my beer opener on the refrigerator, and had to look for it because I put it in the sink. I am not infallible.
Now, for the Christian Religion, Did you know that that the consensus it that one should tithe 10 percent of their income? Right? That is the money they should give your Church. You have read that in the Bible about Tithing, haven’t you?
Nos tell me which direction your God, and his entourage was travelling when he stopped by to create the Heaven and earth? I would bet you can’t because you only are interested in Money. The more you make the more your church pays you? Right?
You could be Joe the Plumber in sheep’s attire. Are you?
I’ll be back when you answer, or if you don’t I’ll be back anyway.
Johnh, you are fun to dialogue with. I used to be on debate team in school and I am familiar with the mode of attacking the other team when you don’t have anything to offer of your own. I do just fine financially, thank you very much and I have never preached a sermon about tithing only 10% - that is because I believe that after I have taken care of myself and those who are given to my care with my resources then God demands me to use everything I have in God’s service - not just a poriton or a tip.
Preacher,
I have the former tax partner at one of the biggest audit firms in America doing my taxes. I think I will take his advice over yours. 45% is the rate achievers will pay under Obama’s plan. 39.5 Fed and 6% State. Do the math. As I said, that doesn’t include sales tax, property tax , license plates fees, and other misc taxes. I will bet if people actually added up all the taxes they pay it would be close to 60%. Other than tax free munis (which will skyrocket under Obama making it harder for schools and municipalities to fund new projects) there really aren’t any “write-offs” of legend. When you hear Cindy McCain paid 26% on her $4 million in income, it was that because all her income was from capital gains and dividends, now taxed at 15%, not oridinary income. That will obviously go up, too under King Obama.
Pastor Scott, will you agree that Organized Religions have caused more premature death, and destruction than any other visible entity? In 2nd place are rats…long tailed kind.
If religions can’t find other religious to kill, they will kill people of different sects in their own religion. WHY? That has been going on for 2000 years, and has escalated the 20th century, and as of TODAY Killing is alive and well.
Religious people are killing each other on every continent. That is undeniable.
Pastor Scott, I know y9ur debating tenique as well…now I damand an anwer from you, “In which direction was your God travelling when he and his entourage stopped by to create the heavena and the Earth. Avoiding a question puts me in the position of moving in for the kill.
Can you answer that? “yes”? or “No”? If yes which direction were thay travelling?
jjk I am not making an endorsement. In fact today I am listening to both hopefuls give thier stump speeches and both are saying they won’t forget the plumber or any of the other ‘Joes’ out there. I am just glad that the topic is including equity for all.
Johnh you are very interesting but your comments seem way off the topic of this blog to me. Maybe you would be fun to play with some other time!
Pastor Scoot it appears to me that you have never read the Bible that you pontificate about, or you would know which direction God and his entourage were travelling.
I win round one.
Now, back to Joe the Plumber, I heard an interview with him on Radio. He is more astute than any of the aspirants for President.
He understands that a country cannot spend themselves into prosperity. He understands that Communism is not compatible with thinking from the past,
What do you like most about Obama’s proposal that we go from a Republic to full blown communist country in just 4 years. How will you benefit?
John, define your terms..
direction is relative. So, you can’t ask what direction God was travelling at the time of creation without specifying a reference point. The question is meaningless.
As far as your frequent comment about religion being the cause of more death and destruction than any other cause. In a sense you’re correct, I suppose. To me, however, that says more about the people involved than about anything else. People tend to cling to their ideas over most other things, and the desire to destroy those who you disagree with is the fundamental truth of humanity. I don’t like you, you’re different from me, so therefore I have the right to destroy you is pretty basic to human nature, is it not?
The fact that people in power have used twisted religious beliefs to destroy others is a fact of humanity. The important point there is that people in power ALWAYS twist the truth to maintain their power, and they use every tool at their disposal…and religion is usually the easiest.
YOU ARE RIGHT ON SCOTT!! Obama is a fool people,you’ll see,you’ll see but it will be too late.The Democrats hate to spend money so get ready he is gonna take your money!!