Japi's Blog

Joe The Plumber - Watch & Listen To The Whole Conversation

When John McCain began mentioning Joe the plumber at the last debate (21 times!), he has been discussed ad nauseum at every stump speech, news show, etc...

McCain and Palin have said that the exchange between Barack Obama and Joe Wurzelbacher as angry and rude... So let's watch the full conversation and make up your own mind.

In my opinion, it's a very calm discussion...AND it doesn't sound like Socialism to me... the tax system is the tax system that has been in place for many administrations and it's always been a scaled system.

And now let's look at the facts about Joe the plumber:

1. Joe is not a licensed plumber (it's not necessary if you work for a plumbing company)
2. The company that Joe wants to buy would get a tax cut under Obama's plan because it made MUCH less than $250k
3. Joe himself made under $50k last year which would also give him a tax break under Obama's plan
4. Joe is a registered Republican and has made a donation to McCain's campaign

So it looks like Joe was either a McCain plant (if you are REALLY paranoid) or just a dork who wanted to be in the public light and get his 15 minutes.... time's up, Joe!

My New Job - Houston Market Manager at Group O Marketing Solutions

I've had several friends and family ask about my new job.... and a dear friend suggested I post it here so I don't have to keep repeating myself <grin>.

So I left Schipul after four amazing years of learning, growing and producing. I enjoyed the work more than any other job I've had - the people there are brilliant, the work is challenging and fun and I am certain their future is extremely bright!! I will bleed Schipul burnt orange or Tendenci maroon for many years.

It took me a few months to get the right offer from the right company - Group O Marketing Solutions.

Group O was founded in 1974 by Robert Ontiveros, originally named Bi-State Packaging which was started to sell packaging materials and equipment to manufacturers. The company has grown to over $350 million per year and was recognized this year as the 20th largest Hispanic-owned company in the U.S. by Hisoanic Business magazine.

Group O is based in Milan (pronounced mīˌlän), Illinois and has three divisions:

1. Marketing Solutions
2. Packaging Solutions and
3. Supply Chain Solutions

I was hired by Group O Marketing Solutions as a Market Manager for Houston. I have been tasked with putting together and managing a team of salespeople to market and sell a product for a major telecommunications company... one that has three letter in its name and two are repeated <grin>.  We can use its name when we talk, but not in print.

I have an amazing support team that is helping me put together the team... everyone I've met and worked with are very intelligent, hard-working and fun, so I feel great about this job!

Our goal is to build and grow the business in Houston and San Antonio the next 4 months so that we will be offered additional markets in Texas and eventually around the U.S.

I am extremely excited about the opportunity in front of me and the trust that Group O has placed in me. I will continue to inform of my progress as we meet and beat the numbers... the goal is to have a productive team of 50 here in Houston and 30 in San Antonio in the next few months.

Sorry if I can't say more than that, but if I gave away too much info, I'd have to take all of you out and I wouldn't want to lose my small fan-base <grin>.