In response to:
Most money made in combat by our military heroes is mostly tax free; why NOT do the same for our Olympic heroes, too? Ohh, I'm sorry, 'you didn't win that medal - someone else won that medal for you!'
If you're anything like me, you've spent the last few days absorbing every Olympic event in which the United States has competitors (so, yeah, sorry handball), and cheering on the amazing American men and women who are winning medal after medal. They represent our country with grace, and win with honor, all while providing us an opportunity to revel in the fact that we live in the greatest country on earth.
Thus, I found it absolutely galling to learn that the US government congratulates the medalists with a big, fat tax bill when they return stateside. Oh yes: Olympic...
state, fed income taxes and fica come out of the check just like everyone else.