Joe the Plumber

I am not sure when this campaign season turned seriously ugly (on both sides of the fence). But, I do know what the meaning of "private citizen" is supposed to be.
This Joe guy, is a private citizen. As an American, we have certain rights and entitlements. One of these is, that we should be able to ask questions of our elected officials. WITHOUT REPRISALS!
I could not care less, if Joe the plumber owes taxes. I do not care, if he does not have his "official" plumber's license. I do not care, if he is a card carrying Republican or Democrat. I do not care, if the business he wants to buy is a "pipe dream". I just don't care.
What I care about, is the treatment that Joe the Plumber has received since he asked Barack Obama a simple question. News organizations, bloggers, campaign staff, whomever... have no business delving into a PRIVATE CITIZEN's personal life. Mr. Joe Plumber, is not running for public office.
If there had not been a "gaff" on Senator Obama's part (spread the wealth), the question would be buried in the dark morass of oblivion, by now.
I say leave the man and his family alone. As Americans, we have our self or a family member that have fought in wars to protect our way of life. If every "simple question" has a vicious consequence, then we as Americans are doomed. Our ideal is dead.
I am depressed that our media has stooped so low, as to think this type of behavior is acceptable. It is not. We are not electing royalty, a prophet or a God. We are electing a citizen of our country, to be President. One who has chosen a public life and chose not to keep his private life!
Joe the Plumber, did not make that decision. Keep the dirt digging to Obama and McCain. The "they did it first" mentality only works for 2 year olds.