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Real plumbers have licenses to practice in the counties in which they ply their trade. Otherwise, they are handymen who compete against real tradesmen who have the licenses, pay the fees, maintain the insurance policies and pay the healthcare that real tradesmen pay.
Neither Joe, nor his aging boss, Al Newell, have plumbing licenses in Lucas County, Ohio.
One can argue that licenses are examples of "stupid, governmental interference" in commerce. But that argument would last about thirty seconds while real plumbers argue, in detail, how unlicensed handymen who practice as plumbers endanger the health, welfare and safety of local townspeople, while cutting into the marketshare of hard working, law abiding citizens who play by the rules.
Contrary to what John McCain is saying on the campaign trail today, he isn't helping Joe the Plumber or his boss. In fact, the gig is up. Everyone in Lucas County, Ohio, now know what Joe and Al are doing to take a gigantic dump on the public commons at the expense of the public welfare.
Thank you, Johnny Wetstart McCain.
