Too little, too late.  Why didn't they do this in 2009 while every middle class American was taking it on the chin?  At that time,  officials in DC were getting paid their regular salaries, Barack and Michelle were beginning their life as high society celebrities and it was "let the good times roll" inside the beltway. Frankly, their new found empathy for middle class workers is directed only at those who work for government. It's a marvelous example for us because it shows us who they really care about - and it's not us!