Joe who?

I have been struck by how Joe the Plumber has become John McCain’s poster boy in the late days of the campaign. Why would anyone wanting to be President of the United States pick a man that purported to be something he wasn’t as their role model? Why would McCain call him an American hero?

Excuse me, but Joe the Plumber is not a licensed plumber and never had the money or any real prospect to buy his employer’s business. He was a guy trying to make a living and under a misconception about Barack Obama’s tax plan. He apparently did not listen or understand when the senator explained it to him. It didn’t matter.

Joe is happy to give uninformed and off the cuff responses to questions. He’s doesn’t seem to care whether he has the knowledge to speak about the serious issues facing the country today. He’s enjoying the limelight and the prospect of earning big bucks from his story. Joe is savvy enough to know he can cash in with a press and nation that loves the lowest common denominator on far too many occasions.

Sound familiar? Sound a little like a certain Vice Presidential candidate? John McCain seems to love to pick up people that will give him big press coverage and lots of diversion from what should be discussed and covered. Combined with continuing to push what he knows to be lies about his opponent, it proves McCain is no longer the honorable man he once was. It is chilling to think that he is willing to go to such extremes to win an election. And, too many people in this country seem to be swayed by these tactics. I’m very scared.