Earlier this week, Barack Obama attacked John McCain for supposedly forgetting how many houses he owned [1].   As usual, you can tell a lot about someone by how they attack [2] their opponents. 

Obama is quick to point out that McCain is out of touch with everyday Americans because he couldn't instantly state how many properties he owns.  Of course Obama fails to mention the fact that McCain doesn't actually LIVE in all seven of his homes.  Both McCain and his wife have quite a bit of money, and much of that money is invested on their behalf.  What's the time-tested method for an almost certain long-term investment gain?  Buying real estate. 

Belive it or not, McCain doesn't drive around on Sunday mornings looking at houses to buy with his local real estate agent.  Instead, he hires investment managers to pick the good buys for him.  Stands to reason then, that he wouldn't know exactly of the top of his head what stocks, bonds, and yes, houses he has invested in.

But Obama would suggest that just because McCain doesn't know exactly what he owns, he must own too much.   Apparently, if you don't have your entire financial and investment history committed to memory, you are an elitist snob.  Could you state with certainly the exact dollar amount of your last bank account deposit without checking?  No?  If you listen to Obama, you must not be qualified to be President.

The worst thing about this stupid debate is that Obama implies that rich people couldn't possibly know what life is like for the little guy.  Obama thinks rich people are the enemy.   Never mind the fact that Obama himself is worth millions of dollars also.  He wants to convince the American people that if you are successful, you're the bad guy, and we should raise your taxes.

I'll state now for the record that I only own one house.  Technically, of course, I don't own the house, as I still have a mortgage payment.  So really the bank owns the house.  No, wait... actually my name is on the deed, so I own the house.  But they have possession of the deed until the loan is paid of... so I own the house, but they have a secured monetary interest in the value of the house for the duration of my mortgage loan agreement.  Whew.  Had to think about that for a minute.  Guess I'm a bad guy.  Who knew?