Obama's Modest Tax Policy

If Obama's tax plan is approved, a family making $500,000 a year would see its annual tax bill rise to nearly $132,000 from about $120,000, a 10 percent increase, said Clint Stretch, managing principal of tax policy at Deloitte Tax.

Over the past three decades, these families have seen their incomes double and triple while the rest of the country stagnated. Now Obama proposes to increase their tax bill by $12,000 — not even enough to get them back to the rates they were paying when Ronald Reagan left office. This is a very, very modest nod toward fiscal fair play, very much in keeping with Obama's modest optics. You'd have to drink several pitchers of Rush Limbaugh's Kool-Aid to think this counts as soaking the rich.

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Bailout Blues--Where'd the $$ Go?

$800 Billion BAILOUT

or is it really $2 Trillion??

Meet freshman Congressman Alan Grayson D Fla





and visit his campaign site for more vids here

Many are calling him "Bulldog."
Crapaud says: Welcome back Harry Truman!

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BAILOUT ACCOUNTABILITY NOW!

Arn Pearson at Common Cause

Sends out this Appeal on January 23, 2009.

"If you got a bonus from work, you would have to report it to the government. But when our nation's banks get a bailout from the federal government, bank CEOs are allowed to spend it as they see fit.

Does that seem fair to you?

Next week, the House Financial Services Committee is planning to hold a hearing to question CEOs from the nation's nine biggest banks about how bailout funds are being used.

Take action now to demand accountability from bank CEOs who receive bailout funds!

These funds were intended to stop the foreclosure crisis, yet so far there is no evidence the banks that helped get us into this mess are doing anything to help struggling Americans weather the storm.

As nine of the biggest beneficiaries of the bailout, these CEOs have an obligation to use taxpayer dollars in an open and transparent manner.

If you've been turned down for a loan by a bailed-out bank or haven't been able to get the financial help you need, this is your chance to get some answers.

But you must act now, there's only a few days left until the hearing!

With your input, Congress will pressure the top bank CEOs to disclose how funds have helped Americans struggling in a tough economy.

Thanks for all you do,

Arn Pearson "

Common Cause is a national nonpartisan organization with chapters in 38 states. Our mailing address is 1133 19th Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Our phone number is (202) 833-1200.

A Welcome and Refreshing Example

Crapaud steals shamelessly from SilentPatriot today, 'cause I got dee inaugural hangover!

President Obama freezes WH staff salaries

By SilentPatriot Wednesday Jan 21, 2009 12:00pm

In a symbolic and unprecedented move, President Obama today announced that he would be freezing the pay of White House employees who make over $100k a year.

CBS13:

President Barack Obama announced on his first day in office Wednesday that he is freezing the pay of the about a hundred White House employees who make over $100,000 a year.

The freeze would hold salaries at their current levels. It is part of a presidential memorandum being issued Wednesday when Obama attends a swearing-in for staff at the White House.

In a statement, Obama said "families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington."

Aides making above $100,00 include the high-profile jobs of White House chief of staff, national security adviser and press secretary. Other aides who work in relative anonymity also fit into that cap, if Obama follows a structure similar to the one George W. Bush set up.

This is pretty cool. I probably wouldn't find it as cool if I were Rahm Emanuel, Robert Gibbs or General Jones, but it's sending an important message either way. After eight years of Bush-rule, this quote is a welcome change.

"Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this administration," Obama said in a statement to reporters.

Music to my ears.

And Music to All Ears of all Crapauds Everywhere
Finally, Leadership by Example once again!