President Barack Obama has officially frozen any White House staff salary increases on his first full day as president.

The measure applies to those making $100,000 or more; which encompasses 100, more or less, people in his staff.

The measure is symbolic, but it should not be underestimated. The American people are angry now about what they see as the rich getting richer and the middle class stagnating. Not only have CEO salaries exploded in recent years, but during bad times these CEO then go to the government for a bailout while during good times oppose can salary sacrifices.

Although, of course, the White House staff is not part of the corporate establishment, a measure that limits hefty salaries creates a sense of economic unity with the American people. Further, if the White House staff is limited to salaries more in line with the American average then they won’t be insulated from the economic downturn. They too will feel the rising increase in standard of living and a personal urgency to set the economy straight will hopefully envelop.

Expect more such action from Obama in the following day; light on substance but heavy on symbolism. Obama will get to the hard stuff, but creating an image of a new “change” in Washington of shared responsibility and an accountable political staff will do a lot to aid the new president by providing him with political capital and strong and heartfelt public support.