I find it funny that the Republicans are turning themselves inside out regarding the Obama administration's proposal to roll back tax cuts for people who make over a quarter of a million dollars to the level they were at during the Clinton administration. My, my... they've worked so hard to protect their wealthy friends all these years, and here come along those pesky Democrats who might want to actually cut their tax break a teensy bit! Never mind that they've had a break for 8 years that they never should have had in the first place.
I thought it would be interesting to take a look at just who's making what. Just who are those folks that might actually be getting to keep their little pittance of a break compared to those people who might have to fork over a little bit more (assuming their tax accountants can't fit it under some tax shelter or another)? So here's a list of a few folks who are overpaid, and a list of a few who are underpaid:
Overpaid: Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins, 7-yr contract, $100,000,000
Underpaid: police officer, $47,500
Overpaid: Rush Limbaugh, 8-year contract, $400,000,000
Underpaid: paramedic, $36,000
Overpaid: Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis, $1,500,000 (2008), $20,400,000 (2007)
Underpaid: social worker, $40,000
Overpaid: GM CEO Rick Wagoner, $2,200,000 (2008 base salary)
Underpaid: President of the United States, $400,000
Overpaid: Tiger Woods: $115,000,000
Underpaid: teacher, $46,000
Overpaid: Alex Rodriguez, $28,000,000
Underpaid: librarian, $53,000 (with Master's)
I think it's obvious where our priorities have been in this country and I think it's also obvious that they have been pretty screwed up.
There is NO ONE worth $115,000,000 a year, I don't care who they are or what they do. Take a look at what the people do who are overpaid vs. those who are underpaid, and just think about the responsibilities that the people in the last class have vs. those who have ridiculously high salaries. Sorry, Republicans, I guess I can't drum up a lot of sympathy here for your "base."
