[ClearCase_guy]

Obama has a pen. He has a phone. Why doesn’t he just handle this?

[Slyfox]

[johniegrad]

Because he doesn’t want it to be anymore than a wedge issue that can be driven between him and his political opponents. It was anything more than that, he would simply make it up as he went along and everyone would praise him for his wisdom.

[Rodamala]

Obama has a pen. He has a phone. Why doesn’t he just handle this?

If he does without a bill, that's it... I am not going to show income on my 2013 1040 for dividends or capital gains...

[alternatives?]

Of all the athletes, the gold metal winners are the 1%. Is not that how Obama classifies people? Also, they did not earn the metals on there own. Without public facilities, roads, and teachers they would not be where they were today. Why are they putting them on pedestals? Is not this the Obama view? Finally, would it be more equal if the gold metals were actually brass? The savings could be used to buy all the other athletes copper metals. There is too large of gap in metals between athletes. Who does that sound like? In my mind the Olympics represent are very teachable moment for conservatives to point out the liberals view of the world.

[CommerceComet]

If I read the piece right, the athletes are paying taxes on the cash prizes that come with the medals, not the medals themselves. It wouldn't bother me if this income got exempted for Olympians but it doesn't bother me one bit that they have to pay income taxes on this prize money just like anyone else who wins some lesser award.

Didn't Obama have to pay income taxes on the cash award associated with the Noble Prize that he didn't earn? At least, Obama could argue that it was a gift and that he had done nothing to earn it so it couldn't be recognized as compensation.