I recently sent the following letter to the New York Times:

To the Editor:

Timothy Egan accurately titled his recent gutter column (“Typing Without a Clue,” Dec. 7). Although meant as a reference to Joe the Plumber, it more aptly describes Egan’s elitist screed.

Egan childishly hurls ad hominems at Joe, calling him “no good as a citizen” for owing a small amount in taxes. I challenge Egan to find anyone who can understand, and follow, our entire 70,000 page tax code. Is he prepared to hold Charlie Rangel’s far more serious transgressions to the same standard, or is his ire reserved for uppity peasants? He also makes the sophomoric argument that Joe is “no good as a plumber” because Tim the Snob isn’t satisfied with his government certification. By this standard – or any other for that matter – Egan is no good as a columnist.

Sincerely,

Brian Garst