Joe the Plumber's Page

Washington's Worst Nightmare: A Principled Man
By
Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher
I'm mad as hell, and I'm going to do something about it.
I've been to Missouri quite a few times since becoming "Joe the Plumber": rolling hills, farmland, beautiful rivers, vibrant
cities, honest people. So I'm not in the least surprised that the rural town of Caulfield has produced a true statesman. The
kind of statesman that all freedom-loving Americans have searched for since the Reagan years.
I AM surprised and disgusted that the same "conservatives" who have been shouting fiscal responsibility from the mountain
tops are now throwing a true statesman under the bus instead of rallying to his side.
Chuck Purgason is a State Senator for a part of southern Missouri. He's worked his way up from the House to the Senate
ever since his "Tea Party" moment in 1996. He has proven (the hard way) that you actually can be a man of integrity in a
government full of wolves. When liberal U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R) decided to retire, he anointed RINO Congressman Roy
Blunt (R) to be his heir apparent. After Roy Blunt's votes for the TARP Bailout, Cash for Clunkers, No Child Left Behind,
taking the most lobbyist money, etc. (I really could go on and on and on . . . ) Chuck said there was no way he was going
to let Blunt represent Missouri or Republicans in the U.S. Senate. So, Chuck Purgason threw his hat into the race for U.S.
Senate against mega power broker Roy Blunt.
Now this is where the story begins to get interesting. Just a week or so ago, Democratic Governor Jay Nixon ($170,000+
donations from auto unions) called for a special session to pass a $150M "tax cut" to Ford Motor Company. Every Republican
started lining up like good little bees because tax cuts are good - right? Besides, Missouri has a lot of unions - they
wouldn't win their re-elections if they didn't vote for this bill.
Everyone lined up except for one - Chuck Purgason. He just said no. He said if you want to save jobs, give ALL the
manufacturing companies a tax break - not just your pet businesses. Stimulate the economy the RIGHT way by moving
out of the way of the people who make it grow. The Republican leadership would have none of this kind of talk. But, the
leadership had one tiny problem. . . . Chuck was Chairman of the Committee that held the bill and come hell or high
water, Chuck wasn't going to let it out.
Senate Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R) made it very clear to Senator Purgason that if he didn't pass this bill out of committee,
Shields would remove Purgason from the Chair and put himself in Chuck's place. Shields also said that he would give
Chuck the Chair back after the vote. Chuck said, "No, thanks. Not interested in being your puppet."
Now, pay close attention folks: State Senator Chuck Purgason said, "No."
Chuck has powerful positions in the Missouri Senate; he is running for U.S. Senate against a man who will out spend him
a zillion to one; he has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Yet, he said, "No."
He filibustered* from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning for a total of 21 hours all the while teaching the Senate
about failed economic policy; playing favorites to line your pockets; and doing the right thing.
Well, I have a few words for the State Senator Chuck Purgason, the candidate Chuck Purgason; the business owner Chuck
Purgason; the husband Chuck Purgason; the father Chuck Purgason and the American Chuck Purgason . . . .
Thank you. You are a genuine man of integrity, honesty, moral courage, and political excellence.
I am going to do everything possible to get this statesman we've all been hoping for elected. This kind of unadulterated
boldness doesn't come along too often.
And after August 3rd, it will be too late.
*Senators Matt Bartle and Jack Goodman joined Chuck Tuesday evening