Democrats considering raising taxes

That's an understatement.

Can you explain why Henry A McKinnell Jr., chairman and chief executive of Pfizer, who is to retire in 2008, will get $6.5 million a year for life. His total pension payout is pegged at more than $71 million.

I can: Middle class America had to pay ten times more for prescriptions than they should have due to Pfizer blocking generic forms of their drugs. The sick will get the rich richer, and that is SICKO.

Michael Eisner got a post-termination bonus of $7.5 million a year for two more years, or one year if he takes a role at another major entertainment company other than as an independent producer. Also, Eisner got an annual annuity of $297,779 for life. Before he stepped down in October 2005, he got $9.1 million in 2005 salary and bonuses.

Mickey Mouse is EXPENSIVE! Try taking a family of four to "The Happiest Place on Earth" on a $40,000/year income! But we do it, so that we can see the smiles on the faces of our little ones. Eisner got rich at the expense of middle-class Americans taking a family vacation. Ever buy food in one of their parks? Just a lunch consisting of burgers, fries and cokes, can run you $50-60 dollars and up for a family of four.

Former chairman and chief executive of Citigroup, Sandy Weill got a supplemental pension benefit equal to a $350,000 annual lifetime annuity and access to Citigroup facilities and services for the rest of his life, including the use of Citi's corporate aircraft, car and driver, office, secretary and security arrangements. And, far from having to contribute to his medical benefits, as other employees now have to do, a filing states that Citigroup will continue to pay, for Mr. Weill's lifetime and his spouse's lifetime should she survive him, the premiums and out-of-pocket expenses associated with receipt of health and dental care benefits by Mr. and Mrs. Weill, and life and accidental death and dismemberment as well as disability insurance for Mr. Weill. Mr. Weill will also continue to receive a tax gross-up with respect to the imputed income arising from these benefits.

Lou Gerstner of IBM got a 10-year consultancy contract worth up to $2 million annually, plus expenses and full use of IBM facilities and services, such as office, cars, aircraft and financial planning. He only has to work one month out of the year. His successor, Samuel J. Palmisano, stands to receive more than $3 million in pension annually for the rest of his life after he retires.

Former ExxonMobil chief exec Lee Raymond got a $400 million payout, including pension, stock options and other perks, such as a $1 million consulting deal, two years of home security, personal security, a car and driver, and use of a corporate jet for professional purposes. He also gets office space and secretaries worth $200,000 for life.

Please read the rest of these descriptions at Forbes, its all public information.

An analysis released by a Democratic senator found that Vice President Dick Cheney's Halliburton stock options have risen 3,281 percent in the last year. For years Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld and others tried to convince Clinton to invade Iraq to "secure resources". They finally got their opportunity, at the cost of 85,000 lives lost, and an average cost of 10 Billion dollars a month.

Forgive me if I don't feel sorry for those who are asked to pay higher taxes. The Democrat who will take office must use these tax dollars to clean up the mess of a president the CEO's elected in to office, so why shouldn't they be asked to contribute to the financial mess our current administration caused?

Speaking up for, and helping those who cannot help themselves is not a new concept; its just been shelved since 2000.

Proud American, Sharon Jenson