This is the same Mr Buffett who has very publicly advocated the retention of the estate tax to prevent intergenerational transfers of wealth.

ECONOMIST: Charity begins at home

Max Baucus, D-Montana, on Tuesday introduced a plan that would impose a hefty tax on retention bonuses paid to executives of companies that received federal bailout money or in which the United States has an equity interest.

CNN: Dodd: Administration pushed for language protecting bonuses

The government's liberal noises on crime and counter-terrorism have aroused more anger on the right than its retention of the 50p top rate of income tax.

ECONOMIST: The Conservatives' new divide