http://coloradoindependent.com/28185/joe-the-plumber-on-dobson-theocracy-and-gop-hypocrites
Joe the Plumber on Dobson, queers and GOP rebranding
By Wendy Norris 5/4/09 1:50 PM
Conservative movement pitchman Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, continues his rather controversial revisionist American history tour with free-wheeling remarks invoking states rights and the Biblical origins of the U.S. Constitution.
In an interview published in Christianity Today, Joe the Plumber opines on politics and GOP rebranding efforts while professing his love for Focus on the Familys James Dobson and slurring queers whom he wont let near his children.
In a hastily transcribed interview with no apparent rebuttal to his claims, Christianity Today gives Joe an open mike to present his own special brand of right wing conservativism:
Why does conservatism appeal to you as a Christian?
Conservatism is about the basic rights of individuals. God created us. As far as the government goes, the Founding Fathers based the Constitution off of Christian values. It goes hand-in-hand. As far as the Republican Party? I felt connected to it because individual freedom should not be legislated by the federal government.
In the last month, same-sex marriage has become legal in Iowa and Vermont. What do you think about same-sex marriage at a state level?
At a state level, its up to them. I dont want it to be a federal thing. I personally still think its wrong. People dont understand the dictionaryits called queer. Queer means strange and unusual. Its not like a slur, like you would call a white person a honky or something like that. You know, God is pretty explicit in what were supposed to dowhat man and woman are for. Now, at the same time, were supposed to love everybody and accept people, and preach against the sins. Ive had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldnt have them anywhere near my children. But at the same time, theyre people, and theyre going to do their thing.
Does the Republican Party reach out to evangelicals enough?
No. None of them stand up for anything. They use God as a punch line. They use God to invoke sympathy or invoke righteousness, but they dont stay the course. Thats why I think that all needs to be taken out of the federal level and give it back to the states. Weve lost our American history. Every state has In God we trust or With Gods help in their constitution. God is recognized as, if you will, Americas religion.
Who do you see as the emerging leaders for the Republican Party?
There isnt one. You got the RNC talking about repackaging principles and values to make them hip and cool to the younger generation. You cant repackage them. They are what they are. You cant make what they are.
I like Sarah Palin a lot, actually. I just dont know if thats where Gods leading her. I just know the Republican Partys done its best to blackball her. I dont know what her agenda is. If she ran, would I vote for her? Absolutely. John McCain was the lesser of two evils.
Who do you see as the emerging Christian leaders?
James Dobson. I love Dobson. I love John Eldridges Wild at Heart. The last book I read was The Five Love Languages [by Gary Chapman].
Some people have criticized the Republican Party as being the party of the rich. How can they change their image?
I dont know if they can change their image. I really dont. But, you also have to take into consideration that the Democrats say they are for people in poverty. Theyre not. They take advantage of all the tax breaks that the IRS has put in place for them. Tax lobbying is a billion-dollar industry up in Washington. Get rid of the tax code we have. Implement a fair taxmake it a level playing ground. People in poverty keep them in powerthats what people have to understand.
Theres much more on reading the Bible, running for office and his star-making GOP presidential candidate John McCain as the lesser of two evils.
