Joe The Duly Elected Official

I was happy to see our old friend Joe the Plumber is back in the news. I've been wondering what he's been up to. What a career he's made for himself since he first approached candidate Obama with a question to which we all should have listened to the answer more closely!

He talked about getting into politics but has really stayed pretty much on the sidelines as an "adviser". He's written a book, he served a brief stint as a war correspondent in Gaza and does pretty well on the rubber chicken circuit.

Now, however, he is a duly elected official. He has won a seat on a Republican Party committee in Ohio's Lucas County. It's a start.

He's a bit rough around the edges, but I'm beginning to appreciate the idea that he is a straight shooter. Politically correct he is not. He takes both parties to task for their stupidities with equal relish. You know, I wish all our politicians had his candor, if not his demeanor.

He appeals to certain folks much as Sarah Palin. The more you listen the more you understand why. He talks like the everyman that he is, that most of us are. Hence his popularity.

The day I would vote for Joe is not on my radar, yet I can seem him inching ever upward, at least at the local level. He hits the nail on the head when he exhorts a gathering of Tea Partiers not to "let a bunch of Liberal pansies" take away their rights. A little polish would help if he wants to be taken seriously. They say the same about Sarah. You betcha they do.

At the core of the matter, however, his solutions are simple and to the point. On illegal immigration, he says, "Put up a fence and start shooting." To the point. Problem solved. No profiling or bruised sensibilities to worry about. The job gets done.

You know what? Lots of people would never admit they agree, but at times I bet they do.