Friday before the Fourth of July is a great time to release news–people are engrossed in making their holiday plans and might not notice.  I have previously reported on one of the stories released Friday–the lack of stimulus in the stimulus program, but there was another piece of news released on Friday–the growth and salaries of President Obama’s staff. 

Yesterday the Los Angeles Times reported that President Obama’s 454 White House aides will make a total salary of $37,121,463 this year.  About that shared sacrifice…

The current salary paid to White House aides represents an increase of nearly $4 million from 2008, the last year of President George W. Bush’s term.  It also incudes an increase of seven staff members. 

It seems as if the Los Angeles Times is not too impressed with this news, the article reports:

“Because Americans would no doubt be pleased to know of the Obama staff’s economic success amid the bleak national scene for so many others, we saved the information for today, when most Americans who are still employed are back at their own jobs and can share the joy.

“The 2011 White House salary report does not include mention of the 41 unidentified Obama staff members who owe the Internal Revenue Service $831,000 in back taxes. That report came out last fall…”

I hope the voters remember this next November.