At one popint in the 1957/1962 period, Elvis Presley was the country's largest taxpayer, paying more taxes than Howard Hughes, the Hiltons, J.Paul Getty, an American who lived in Londons and was then the world's wealthiest, the Vanderbilts, and the of course the Kennedy's, while making much more less, and he remained in the top echelon thoughout the rest of his life. Since his death, EPE continues to honour that tradition. His advent, in 1956, and what has transpired since his death, in 1977, changed the course of events in the US, and particularly in at least 4 states, namely Tennessee, Mississipi, Nevada and Hawaii. The Arizone Memorial, which brings 1.6 million tourists yearly, was built because of his push, after a benefit concert in 1961, as did St Jude's Hospital, after two big contributions he gave, the first in 1957, the second in 1964. he gave to 509 charities every year, and was responsible for sending the equivalent of US$39 million, in today's dollars, to those affected by the Soviet intervention in Hungary. he is the single most celebrated musician, and regulkar GI in history, and everything he did, in his professional life continues to be the measure by which everyone who followed him is tested. Forget about what this bill will cost, which is nothing.

Behold; your 'leaders'/tax dollars, @ work. And; I'll bet they had a catered lunch in order to come up with this brilliant idea that WE paid for (with $18 cupcakes, this time).

(rolls eyes)