Organizing for America | Obama's Tasty Taco Blog: 'Joe the Voter' and other Joes, McCain Doesn't want you to know about.

'Joe the Voter' and other Joes, McCain Doesn't want you to know about.

By JJ - Oct 20th, 2008 at 12:29 am EDT

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Tags: early voting, hispanic, Joe the Plumber, McCain Lies, McCain votes against Veterans, polls

Joe the Plumber? What about 'Joe the Voter'

and 9 Other Joe's McCain doesn't speak about.

Wednesday night, I prepared to watch the last debate with a plate of pericos and some cold Dos Equis, and my lovely wife Nora (whom I call Scully--I'll save that story for later).

Scully has been a devout politico's wife for about ten years, a Chicago yellow-dog democrat, her father was a democrat, her mother was a democrat and she will die a democrat. She is also the one person fond of my affinity to watch every political news show and my willingness to talk politics with anyone -- anytime. For this someday she'll be awarded a purple heart, congressional medal of honor or a tall glass of Scotch, more than likely the latter.

In her eyes, I am, when it comes to politics, all-knowing, all-seeing, and can turn tap water into a great chardonnay at fundraising receptions, however , I am NOT infallible." So every election cycle (until I report for work at the great caucus in the sky), I make sure that the most qualified candidate receives 150% of my unequivocal, loyal, articulate and vociferous support (I reserve the other 50% for possible mid-cycle corrections or retreats--JK).

CNN -- Debates a la Boxing!

So it was this week, when I sat down to watch the much ballyhooed debate-to-end-all debates on CNN, that my Mexi-Mind began to wonder. With CNN HD you get the equivalent of HBO Boxing's Comp box, for each political pundit. Red/Blue dials tracking positive and negative points --LIVE! This is great, although I'd prefer totals discussed Larry Murchant and an interview with each fighter at the end.

After a some- day-dreaming about a rendition of a Jimmy Leonard-like introduction for each debater, (in this corner wearing blue satin shorts the Master Blaster against Economic Disaster, the Senator of Suave, Democratic Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama)---my mind returned to the Dos Equis and the salsa, only to be mildly irked by the introduction of "Joe the Plumber."

Joe the Plumber joins Joe Six-pack in McCain/Palin's portrait of America.

You see folks I hate glittering generalities, specifically I hate Palin's introduction of Joe Six-pack, and Holly Hockey-mom, or whatever her attempt to classify the sum of our American cultural and social experiences into some tacky image of mediocrity, is.

For a better understanding of my views on the Republican right's incessant attempts to instill fear, loathing and bias into American politics read my book, "It Is Not OK- put an End to Mediocrity!" (Publication Date -- sometime soon after I get around to writing it.)

As McCain pronounced the moniker 'Joe the Plumber', I winced.

I pained. I pained, then I winced. (Repeat as often as he was mentioned)

So after 90 minutes of inconsequential jabber on the possible investment practices of one, Joe the Plumber (mentiroso, in this climate who's going to lend you the money?).

I began to thinking of the dozens of Joe's, McCain/Palin hope you don't meet.

Yes, like a retort to the PC v Mac commercials, I realized that Joe Six-pack and Joe the Plumber are everywhere. But not like McCain thinks. No, like GI Joe, they come with different costumes and sometimes a --kung-fu grip.

So allow me introduce you to the latest Joes:

Joe the Unemployed Machinist. After dedicating the last ten years, to his company, missing two days for the birth of his son, and patriotically supporting his country and the current President, this Joe, has lost his job at manufacturing plant, because fabrication has been outsourced to China.

Joe the Manager. After climbing the ladder at this national retailer, with aHS diploma, blood sweat and tears, he loyally invested in his company's stock options and made dedicated contributions to his 401 K. Joe the Manager, lost 30% of his retirement kitty, last week, and his hour were cut down to 36/week, because Republicans like McCain let wall street fat cats deal fast and loose with his investments.

Jo-Jo the Custodial single Mother. Jo-Jo has no healthcare and lives in a hotel with her three kids. She was diagnosed with Lupus, and once unable to maintain her work schedules, she was laid-off under her employer's neutral attendance policy. She unsuccessfully applied for unemployment, as these benefits are predicated on being an able-bodied adult, medically cleared to seek employment, she was denied. Receiving only TANF assistance, she was unable to qualify for healthcare coverage under CHIP(children's health insurance program), because Republicans like McCain did not fund CHIP in Congress, and state Republicans created barriers that impede her access to services.

Joe the Farm-worker. After legally immigrating to America, labor Joe, struggles with ostracism, racial profiling and discrimination because he belongs to a race of people currently blamed for our economic woes--he is Hispanic. He grew-up in a Migrant family and his sole job skills are dependent on obtaining a livable wage in an industry that belittles his contribution to the economy, and frequently characterizes him as an illegal, despite his US Residency. He hopes to have his children exit the migrant stream, have been dashed by the Republican led cuts to Federal funding for Migrants programs.

Zhoe the Immigrant. Zhoe lived in a war-torn European country. She read about America in magazines, books and movies. She thought America was the land of the free and home of the brave, open to all willing to risk life and limb, to get here. She was found starving in an eighteen wheeler amongst 15 other men and women, in Arizona. She is waiting deportation, because while her skills are needed, and her desire to join our country is commendable, Americans under Republican rule have come to fear foreigners and are callous to her plight.

Joe the Homeless Veteran. After loosing his arm in Desert Storm, his family in 1995, and eventually his home, Joe suffers from acute PTSD and dementia. He is missing all his teeth, sleeps in a cardboard bed, is only 42. He wears a pair of faded fatigues, remnants of his loyal service. Republicans believe a lack of self-reliance and will, keeps Joe, on the streets. Rather than admitting that their failed policies on Veteran Affairs contribute to Joe's misery, they fail to protect and care for the Men and Women, who gave their limbs and lives for freedom.

Joe the Deployed Soldier, aka GI Joe. After enlisting at age 18, due to a barrage of non-stop recruiting tactics at his high school, promises of bonuses, and post military employment, Joe was KIA in Iraq, at age 20. he is the victim of a ill-planned, ill-equipped, foreign military intervention, in a land fearful of Americans, and a war instigated by Bush, supported by McCain, that can only be ended by Obama.

Jose el Carnicero. A naturally born US Citizen. After selling you ground beef every day, for the last two years, you'd be surprised to know Butcher Joe is a first-generation Mexican-Arab-American. Mexican Father, Arabian mother. He was the first in his family to graduate from high school, and first to serve in the US armed forces. He performed with valor for three tours in Iraq. Today he suffers quietly from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and needs dialysis from a war-related injury. Joe has no VA hospital near his community and can't afford the 4 hour drive to the nearest one. Due to his appearance, Joe has been stopped by US ICE officials before boarding every flight, since ending is tour in Iraq.

Joe the Teacher. After succumbing to the effects of a flu--yes a flu, teacher Joe, lost his life because he couldn't get the medical care he needed at an ER. He had selected the basic coverage because his wages were so low he needed every cent of his payroll to make ends meet for his family. Since, his coverage did not include ER visits for flu like issues, Joe was told he would incur a $750 bill for his ER visit. Jo refused medical attention, to avoid debt. No one realized it was advanced pneumonia and he died overnight.

Joe the Voter. After 8 years of failed public policies, the worst economic crisis in American history, seeing neighbors, friends and family sacrifice their sons and daughters in Iraq, sacrificing the amount of food, healthcare and education they and their children can buy, after seeing their civil liberties eroded, and the international image of America tarnished, Joe the Voter is you. He is your friend, family and neighbor. Folks, Joe the Voter is desperate for leadership and change.

Joe the Voter, also known as Knock-out Joe, is heading to the polls with a powerful jab, and a tremendous left-hook, and a furious right-cross. Joe heralds from Anywhere, USA, he weighs in on every important issue and is the current world heavy weight champion of the 'Liberty and Justice for All' belt, and the 'I Want my Country Back' Belt.

and John---he wants change, and he wants it now.

JJ Martinez

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