(SNN Washington) Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) has pointed out that stock options in Halliburton owned by Dick Cheney have grown by 3281% in the last year. The options, worth $241, 498 a year ago, are now worth over $8 million.

Lautenberg has high praise for the administration. “Halliburton has already raked in more than $10 billion from the Bush-Cheney Administration for work in Iraq, and they were awarded some of the first Katrina contracts," Lautenberg said in a statement.

This amount underscores the importance of having a good investment strategy. With the impending disaster the administration has planned for Social Security, investments may be the only source to keep many in their retirement.

The average investor could take a lesson from Vice President Cheney. For instance, many people never consider deferring their salary. Thanks to differed salary payments, Vice President Cheney received $194,852 in salary last year. If you are planning to retire from your job, a small salary deferment of a few million dollars or so could really help with higher heating bills.

Also, speaking of power bills, there are many government programs to assist you with those bills. Cheney completely pays the power bill on his 33 room mansion through government programs. We think the Vice President must have sent away for the book of that question mark guy.

Another problem lately for people on fixed incomes is transportation costs. The Vice President also takes part in government programs to defer his transportation costs. Through a government program, the Vice President is furnished with a 757-200, which can be a great help when going for groceries, or just out to a matinee.

posted by NewsBlog 5000  # Wednesday, October 12, 2005