Its has just been announced that President Obama has frozen ALL civilian pay for 2 years. We were to get a COLA in Jan 2011 - but that's been nixed. It was <2% anyway, but I'm very surprised this didn't occur LAST year.

I will say it's a very small token, but I'm glad he did it. Rumors are also circulating and include a hiring freeze (100% sure that'll happen), 10% reduction in Federal Work force (let's see how many contractors they hire to replaces them saving $0 !), and even a 10% pay cut (kinda extreme) ... I'll take anything that Congress gives itself FIRST !!

I still haven't figured out why those sorry SOBs haven't given up their Cadillac Health care plans since they are SO against Obama's plan !

Thanks, big D. I knew you'd take one for the rest of us.

Thanks Dave
For taking it on the Chin - Bravo.

Consider that the 3 million plus - are not gonna get a (rats pice of meat) on a rotting bone.

Because the GOP wanted to see how the US is gonna pay for it - So we all now suffer.

I don't understand why Obama offered this concession to the GOP before any tax-cut negotiations even began. Yikes. Is there a (non-snarky) answer for it?

Maybe that elbow to Obamas lip ? Politics , like basketball is a Hoop thingy.

Obama says freeze Federal employee payrolls for two years. The GOP says shut down the Federal government, give tax breaks to billionaires, privatize Social Security ... and switch to a Gold Standard.

I'm missing the politics of the this. I've read he did this to "pre-empt the GOP on short-term debt." Yet it's not about the GOP ideas on managing the debt. It's only about harming Obama for 2012.

To all,

Well I don't for 1 sec think I've done all I can... this is just a first step. The millionaires /billionaires will have to sacrifice too! . . boo hoo !

Yes, we've heard awful rumors, but the last shutdown they did in '94 backfired. I think the President wanted to show he's serious and can provide leadership in that direction wo a "tit for tat" or being backed in a corner. He's upping the ante for the GOP to see if they're really serious, or just a bunch of whiners for the uber-rich, and big business. (gee wonder how that'll turn out?)

I wish some commentator would point out to them that the $250 K cut off only affects 3% of ALL Small businesses, and that even the 3% affected still get the FULL cuts for the first $250,000 - they just pay higher rate for that above. AND that rate is only 4% higher than before**- it's not going up 50-100% FCS !! sheez they talk like we're sending them to the poor farm !

Lastly, I am grateful for a job and income - PERIOD! Instead of looking at the glass 2% emptier - I'm looking at 98% full. Why don't the GOP & millionaires see it that way? Bunch of whining puzzies !

** even if they made $500K (not a small business) they'd pay $10,000 more (4% * $250K over the cut off). I don't think they're going to hire anyone for $10 K !! :-P but if they want to raise the cut off to $350-400K, fine . . . DO it !

It's only about harming Obama for 2012.


I completely agree - just not hurting Obama, more like screw everyone else over - just so they can say in 2012 -- See the GOP did everyone good, by getting rid of Obama.

Makes me sick

Well if he caves in this time I'm threw with him. Won't make any difference regardless, because so will everyone else in his base.

I can tell you I don't think Hillary would tolerate this crap !
She'd have Boehner in a "nut-vise" hold and he'd be screaming for tax hikes for the rich !

McConnell and Barbour are old farts and they're about as tough and ferocious as a 25 yr old basset hound. . . with arthritis !

"I can tell you I don't think Hillary would tolerate this crap !
She'd have Boehner in a "nut-vise" hold and he'd be screaming for tax hikes for the rich !"


True, true and true, David. And, being the bettin' MacBabe that I am? My money rides on Obama Caves. We'll see.