My last name is Polish. That doesn't make me Polish - in fact not one drop of Polish blood runs through my veins.
Barak Obama's middle name is Hussein. That doesn't make him a Muslim - in fact he's a Christian, born and raised.
This whole "Joe the Plumber" thing is equally ridiculous. If plumbers make more than $250,000 a year then I am in the wrong business. I'd much rather wear jeans and lay pipe all day than dress up and work in an office. Barak Obama wants to lower taxes for EVERYONE who makes less than $200,000 a year. That's everyone I know. McCain wants to lower taxes for the wealthy - and hope that they spend the excess on big ticket items that keep everyone else employed.
That didn't work for Reagan in the 80's, it certainly isn't going to work in a recession. A recession created by 8 years of irresponsible and right-wing fiscal government plans.
How anyone who isn't filthy rich could point at Obama's tax cut plan and say that it's bad is completely beyond me. I need all the help I can get - I'd much rather see a tax cut for myself next year than for the douchebag millionaire I used to work with who fired me because I was smarter than he was. Let him foot the bill to fix the economy - why should I? I didn't break it.
It bothers me when otherwise highly intelligent people lay claim to these (and other) ridiculous statements in an effort to scare people into voting against one or the other of the current political candidates. If you don't think that Barak Obama should become president because you disagree with his policies, then state which ones you disagree with and why. If you think a black man should never be president, then have the nuts to say that's your problem with him. At least you'd be saying things that are true and meaningful and open to discussion.
There's no possible way to respond to hurtful hatemongering and flat out untruths except to walk away and shake your head. Policies and even racism can at least be debated.
