Joe The Plumber Doesn’t View Welfare As Wealth Redistribution

And that’s in spite of having been a welfare recipient, as were his parents, twice.

My question to Joe about his views on wealth redistribution in spite of having been a beneficiary of such a policy has garnered much angry email. This is just a small sampling:

From: Agnes
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:09 AM
To: Alan
Subject: Joe the Plumber segment Nov 5

Re: Joe the Plumber Segment Nov. 5th, 2008
…Alan –

I take exception to Alan’s comment to Joe that “he was once on welfare – isn’t that taking someone else’s money?”

That is a really cheap shot, Alan. Who’s business is it if he was indeed on welfare at one point in his life? That comment is no better than all the other information that was dug up on Joe & spread around by the Media.

[…]

…Play fair.

From: Teresa
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:52 AM
To: Alan
Subject: Joe The Plumber -Welfare remark

I could not believe the remark you made to Joe the Plumber in regards too him previously being on welfare. I felt so sorry for him when you belittled him on National TV. I thought that was a very distasteful and insulting remark. Don’t forget he was looking out for you to when he asked this question. However, I feel you will figure it out on your 2009 tax return since you probably will qualify for the higher tax bracket. Have you forgotten that Joe did not ask to be where he is at today? Remember, it all started over him asking a legitimate question that he was entitled to ask. Don’t forget, you too can hit rock bottom! Who knows? One day you may be in line applying for welfare. My opinion, Shawn should have popped you up side your head for making such a stupid remark. ALLEN YOU ARE A PINHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: Alan
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:05 PM
To: Teresa
Subject: RE: Joe The Plumber -Welfare remark

Teresa,

As a matter of fact, Joe did ask to be where he is today. He hired a press agent and wanted to come on our show to plug his website which promotes his upcoming book. If someone wishes to enter the public arena with an agenda it is not belittling to ask them to defend that agenda.

From: Patricia
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 2:47 AM
To: Alan
Subject: You owe joe an appology

Alan,

You are a dispicable human being. What you did to joe the plumber was uncalled for, hateful, petty and imature. Mentioning he was on welfare at one time to embarrasse him on national tv was way out of line. Not to mention your are using information that was illegally obtained. I really feel you need to start controlling our emotions and get a grip. You need to appologize to joe for your petty remark. What I did like was the fact that joe was able to hold his own to you. You tried to tear him down and in the end you looked dumb. If Hannity & Colmes ever fails, it will be cause of you.

From: Alan
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:14 PM
To: Patricia
Subject: RE: You owe joe an appology

Patricia,

As Raw Story points out, Joe, himself, told us on our show that he was once on welfare. If on is going to decry a system where there is wealth distribution and yet benefits from it, it is relevant to the discussion.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.