O-Merry-Ca

President Rubs Out Raises for Middle Income
Government Workers, Takes Republican Lead

President Obama on Monday announced a two-year pay freeze for most of the 1.9 million civilians who work for the federal government, as he tried to address concerns over a mushrooming deficit and placate Republicans who have targeted the workforce for big cuts.

Rochelle Diamond, a program analyst for the Agriculture Department, said that raise would have been insignificant anyway. But on principle, she's mad that Republicans have, in her view, pushed the president to take aim at federal workers. "I look at those Republicans who are forcing his hand, and I think, 'We should be looking at what they make and start there,' " Diamond said.

Diamond has a good point.  Why not have the Congress cut their pay in half;  cancel their health benefits and buy for their family as we have to; scrub their liberal retirement benefits which says if you serve in Congress four years you get a full salary at retirement, no social security, but who cares when you are pulling down $200,000.  Are these people really worth it?  Is the President worth his salary and perks.  If we all have to buckle down, let's start it at the top first Mr President, not with the little people who work to save our lives daily. 

WaPO  Photo by AP