Tuesday, November 04, 2008

JOE THE CHARITY, OR COMMODITY, OR WHATEVER

Via Aimai, I see from Fox News that Joe the Plumber is planning to bypass the publishing industry when he publishes his book:

...he's working with writer Tom Tabback on a book about American values.

"Everyone came at me to write a book. They had dollar signs in their eyes. '101 Things Joe the Plumber Knows' or some stupid s--- like that. Excuse me, I am sorry," he said. "You know I will get behind something solid, but I won't get behind fluff. I won't cash in, and when people do read the book they will figure out that I didn't cash in. At least I hope they figure that out."

The book, called "Joe the Plumber -- Fighting for the American Dream," is to be released by a group called PearlGate Publishing and other small publishing houses.

"I am not going to a conglomerate that way we actually can get the economy jump started. Like there is five publishing companies in Michigan. There's a couple down in Texas. They are small ones that can handle like 10 or 15,000 copies. I can go to a big one that could handle a million or two. But they don't need the help. They are already rich. So that's spreading the wealth to me," he said.


That's an interesting economic theory: the business activities of a "conglomerate" aren't part of the economy. Brilliant! Paul Krugman better hide that economics Nobel!

Joe seems to be implying that if he'd published a "fluff" book with "a big conglomerate," he could have sold "a million or two" -- but he's not sellin' out, maaan! He's going to a publisher that, so far, seems to have published only one book -- the only novel by the co-author of Joe's forthcoming book. That's either (a) admirably DIY or (b) a sign that Joe was expecting an Obama-size advance when he talked to big publishers and walked away after not seeing enough zeroes.

Joe (even though he's broke) is also going to give back, or so he claims:

..."I am starting a charity up, it's called 'Secure Our Dream.' It's just about people, neighbors in the community," Wurzelbacher told FOXNews.com.

...He said he hasn't figured out how he's going to finance the charity, but knows how he wants the money to be spent.

"You know there's a lady on my street that is going to lose her house because of disability. You know ... that's something this charity that I am starting would help, help people directly," he said....


He's worked out at least part of the financing: here's the Secure Our Freedom Dream Web site, and he's already selling memberships in the group:

Get an Autographed Copy of Joe's Forthcoming Book and 1-Year Freedom Membership Subscription for just $14.95

Paperback title slated for release December 1, 2008.

Through your purchase and registration as a Freedom Member, you will receive all the benefits of the SecureOurDream.com website and stand with Joe in his endeavor to help bring America together to return Government to the people!

Freedom Benefits Include:

1) Chat with Joe on "Joe The Forum"
2) 1-Year Subscription to "Joe The Blogger" Newsletter
3) Free Shipping on All "Shop Joe" Merchandise
4) Membership In Joe's Community Activism Group


So, um, is this going to be a group that helps poor people? Or a group that wants to "return Government to the people"? Or a Joe fan club with money-generating merchandise? I'm confused. Which is it? (And you have to subscribe to his blog? Admittedly, there is also a free membership -- but you don't get the book.)

If anyone else were doing this, I'd be calling it a scam. But this seems too incompetent to rise to the level of a scam.

Sorry, Joe -- if Obama is elected president, you are never going to be sharp enough to make enough money for a tax hike.

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