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Today's Nuze

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

Nobody's listening.

A LOT OF HATE MAIL ABOUT "GREED"

By
Neal Boortz
@ March 18, 2009 8:11 AM Permalink | Comments (39) | TrackBacks (0)

Webguy and Cristina tell me that there has been one common theme throughout most of the emails lately .. and that would be wealth envy. Particularly the word "greed" .. a word that few people can actually define. No surprise that wealth envy is on the increase ... the Democrats are feeding it with every committee hearing and press avail.

  • Name: Adam
    Subject: the execs pay
    Sir; what you fail to realize is that they never deserved to make millions. The pay difference from reg worker to exec was always too much of a difference. We set their living standard way to high in the first place and now we are correcting it. There is no reason in this world of poverty and poor that one person should make millions and fly around on private jets while the loan officer doing the bulk of the work gets paid 40,000. The execs mind was never worth millions. Jesus. It is time for a more fair world. And i don't have wealth envy; i work two jobs and am well on my way to making well over 100 grand a year and I don't envy anyone. However, I am willing to give up some of my pay to help the less fortunate. You're all just a bunch of "greedy American." Thats why the rest of the world hates us. I love your show but disagree on a lot.
     
  • Name:dave davis
    Subject:digging
    you need to add greed to the topics to avoid. i love your show and usual objective views and insights of national issues. However,your attempts to defend greed make you sound naive. the deeper you dig,the sillier it sounds. quit digging.
     
  • Name:Catherine Jones
    subject:AIG Retention Bonuses
    I used to be a religious listener to your show. I thought it was fair and balanced and you called out both Republicians and Democrats when it was deserved. After the 2008 elections, I no longer listen because I think fair and balanced no longer applies to your show. I know you will read this and laugh and make a joke about my public education. BTW: I graduated from a state college also. You did too, right?
    I tried listening again today. I was happy to see that your show continues to be unfair and unbalanced. Where was your outrage when the auto union contracts were voided? Were these contracts less important or less legally binding than the AIG contracts? Or, is it that contracts for blue collar workers are not writen with the same legal "ink" as contracts for white collar workers? The auto unions decided that saving their company (and hopefully, their jobs) was in the best interest of everyone, including the United States of America. The AIG executives are indeed the face of greed. I am outraged that tax payer money went to "retain" greed oriented people. I just wish they had used their "smarts" for the good of more than just themselves. If the bailout had been put to a vote, I would vote to let AIG fail! That way everyone would suffer and not just the people at the botton of the economic totem pole.
    I have never called or written your show. I decided to write because you would just shouted me down and not given me chance to make my point if I had called.

Note: I'm not aware that any auto workers contracts were voided. Concessions were granted, but no contracts voided. If AIG wanted to void those contracts they could have done so .. through Bankruptcy Court.

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What others are saying

  • Greed & Envy
    I think all of you worried about what someone makes is pitiful. If you don't make enough, then go start your own company or get the education to work for a huge company that pays better than $50,000 a year. To say someone makes too much and it's unfair to you, is crap. Don't you guys think about how much crap the government has started to take the heat off of themselves? All of Congress is overpaid in my book. The president is a bimbo and you should be sickened. What's even worse, is the fact that not one of you has thought about the consequences of
    1. having senators publically wishing death upon a citizen
    2. having government intefere with private business especially since the government can't even run the government well.
    3. Letting congress turn YOU into an angry jealous mob that can't even think - It is obvious that you are all products of government schools.
    4. You are doing exactly what the government wants you to do right now - spend your energy being angry at someone other than the government.
    5. You should be more concerned with the liars, cheats and greed in the government - but I guess you are willing to overlook that since you appear to have no brains and the lady who claims religion has no religion if she is jealous and envious
    By Anne @ 03/18/09 10:51:29 PMreport abuse
  • Catherine- Auto Union Contracts
    It's hard to make an argument when your entire premise is false. The auto union contracts were never "voided". However, if the auto makers had gone into bankruptcy, which is what they should have done, the contract could have been RENEGOTIATED. The same is true with AIG.
    By Tom @ 03/18/09 07:18:08 PMreport abuse
  • AIG Solution:
    Have AIG pay back the money. This money should have never been given to AIG to begin with. It was very obvious how this whole thing was going to play out.
    By Andre Bradshaw @ 03/18/09 06:30:58 PMreport abuse
  • bonuses
    Damn them AIG executives. Because of there multimillion dollar bonuses I am unable to reach the American Dream. I can no longer work my way up a company ladder, I can no longer open up my own business and grow it into prosperity. If only the Government can somehow take away those bonuses from those greedy men then I can once again sleep at night and pursue my happiness.
    By dwalk @ 03/18/09 05:55:06 PMreport abuse
  • Greed is not as bad as plain dishonesty
    So the Barney Franks and Chuck Shumers are 'outraged' and the greedy AIG execs are nothing short of criminals. I'm glad I'm just a humble landscaper. I make good money, heck, I get bonuses(as long as the company hits is targeted goals and retains customers). I'm really glad nobody cares about what I make. It's no one's business and it is an example of what hard work along with smart planning can accomplish. As opposed to say, being a Congressman. You don't have to know anything about running a business, reading a P & L statement, or how to actually turn a profit! Maybe I should run for office...nah. I like being able to give answers without crossing my fingers and it's great to be able to look in the mirror and know I have done my best. Can Ms. Frank or Ms. Shumer say the same? Not likely.
    By Chuck @ 03/18/09 04:36:39 PMreport abuse
  • Hate mail about greed
    Do any of the people that think the executives are being paid too much think that the people playing professional sports are being paid too much?
    By Greg Duke @ 03/18/09 04:10:32 PMreport abuse
  • "Greed"
    Oh Lord, I am sick of people comparing exec pay contracts to those of the unions. There is a huge difference between the two.

    The company has a choice on exec contracts. They don't with union contracts.

    An exec can't strong arm the company into hiring them or paying them multi-million dollar bonuses.

    A Union can completely kill the production of a company.

    Anyone who says a good executive isn't worth the money paid to them must not know anything about the business world. One bad decision can kill a company. Top talent and ideas costs top talent and money.

    Since when is it greed to demand and get what you are worth in the market place? I don't consider the idiot who gets my order wrong when I go to McDonalds worth 7.50 an hour, but that is what he gets. Is he being greedy for accepting a salary then failing to perform?

    I worked and studied hard to get where I am right now. I am nowhere near executive level pay, but I know how hard I studied and worked to get where I am, I can only imagine how much time they put in school and work to get where they are.

    Execs don't work 8 to 5 like normal people do. They go to work when the sun hasn't come up, and come home long after the sun has come down. These people have to have Blackberrys and laptops with always on connections because they can't even go to the restroom without getting interrupted.

    OH, and these evil rich guys? Yeah, they pay for the programs that are supporting what will soon be 50% of America.
    By Gatzby @ 03/18/09 04:05:23 PMreport abuse
  • Greed
    Greed is getting paid to vote on a bill without having read it! ~ 140 per year FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, travel & food and healthcare and who knows what else and they CAN'T PUT THEIR COLLECTIVE NOSES TO THE GRINDSTONE LONG ENOUGH TO READ THE "STIMULUS" BILL?
    By ed davis @ 03/18/09 02:40:32 PMreport abuse
  • Greed
    Chuck Shumer and "B" Frank are sanctimonious hypocrites. They have benefitted far more from this mess which they created than AIG executives. No Congressman who voted yes for the "Stimuless" bill or the "Ominous bill have any right to denigrade anything that AIG has done. Our economic problems are for more connected to Capitol Hill than everything that has been done on Wall Street. A previous commenter said it straight: You can have what you want in this country if you are not too sorry to work for it. People who clean toilets make $18 dollars an hour in Roanoke, Va. They form their own cleaning services. Too bad these opportunities are going by the way of Obamanomics.
    By Greg Sturgill @ 03/18/09 02:00:32 PMreport abuse
  • Greed
    Chuck Shumer and "B" Frank are sanctimonious hypocrites. They have benefitted far more from this mess which they created than AIG executives. No Congressman who voted yes for the "Stimuless" bill or the "Ominous bill have any right to denigrade anything that AIG has done. Our economic problems are for more connected to Capitol Hill than everything that has been done on Wall Street. A previous commenter said it straight: You can have what you want in this country if you are not too sorry to work for it. People who clean toilets make $18 dollars an hour in Roanoke, Va. They form their own cleaning services. Too bad these opportunities are going by the way of Obamanomics.
    By Greg Sturgill @ 03/18/09 01:59:26 PMreport abuse
  • Kleptocracy
    Does the Obama admistration aspire to make America a Kleptocracy?
    By ed davis @ 03/18/09 01:51:38 PMreport abuse
  • Argh
    Why does everyone automatically associate how hard you work with how much money you make?

    Choosing a profession that pays less but requires more work is a choice, but it is one this world would be pretty crappy if so many didn't make.

    I'm a scientist, an excellent one in my field, yet I'll never, ever make the big bucks. I do well, yes, but not AIG well. I have no wealth envy but don't approve of bailouts, period, let alone decisions on compensation that lack any integrity whatsoever.

    It ain't just about work, folks. Whether you choose to be a nurse, a doctor, a scientist (whatever field), a cop or a fireman or one of a hundred other professions that smart and hardworking people go into, please try to keep in mind that they are, in fact, hard working for fair compensation.

    Not everyone in the world needs to choose to work in the finance field to be given respect for their work ethic, their intelligence and their values.

    Jeez...
    By ChristyACB @ 03/18/09 01:38:50 PMreport abuse
  • Greed
    Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Our congresscritters enjoy a large salary, free health care, and a very generous retirement program - and they risk nothing of their own in their jobs.

    How many executives wear holes in their stomach linings and put in 20-hour days for their compenstaion - I imagine a much higher proportion than members of CONgress.
    By Chuck Kuecker @ 03/18/09 01:00:34 PMreport abuse
  • Needs -v Wants
    Neal,

    This discussion is really the difference between needs and wants.

    1. Do I need $500K? well no not really. In america; with access to healthcare, shelter, food and clothes and such I could easily get by on $40,000 per year in income.

    however,

    I choose to want for more. Yes, a choice of mine to work hard and strive to attain more; I like boats; I like planes; and fancy cars; excellent foods; and of course the pleasure of having a wife and family. Do i need all of these... nope.

    Its a matter of wants for which I was willing to use my time, energy and intellect to achieve $$ to pay for all these things I wanted.

    So, in a manner of speaking I'd agree no average individual really "NEEDS" $500K a year to get by, its a matter of choice and wants.

    Can you please explain the difference between these two to your listeners?

    Peace, out.
    By Quiet Riot @ 03/18/09 12:47:14 PMreport abuse
  • Greed
    There is only one reason why I am not "filthy rich": I'm not willing to work hard enough to be so.

    There is only one person to blame for this: me.

    Go out, enjoy the weather, and have a nice day!
    By jerrysad @ 03/18/09 12:25:36 PMreport abuse
  • Greed
    There is no entity quite as greedy for your money as the government. By comparison, "greedy wall street fat cats" are mere pretenders
    By David Avera @ 03/18/09 11:59:17 AMreport abuse
  • re: the email about the auto contracts
    As Boortz commented, I havent seen anything about voiding contracts either. But when talking about the differences from the auto industry and AIG there is one huge fundamental difference, AIG can be fully profitable while paying those wages, the auto industry cannot. If the auto industry was having problems because they had crappy cars that were falling apart on the street and thats why their business was suffering, they should pay the workers more to make better quality products. That is not ths issue however. The fundamentals for GM are fine, their workers are just overpaid.
    By Ed @ 03/18/09 11:55:27 AMreport abuse
  • Greed
    It seems Webster should be turning over in his grave as people try to change the definition of words. Since when is it greed to try and keep what one has earned. Isn't it greed to take something from one who owns something?
    By Ted @ 03/18/09 11:15:46 AMreport abuse
  • mob mentality greed
    I do not like the bonuses paid to AIG executives. I don't like the fact I had to take a 10% pay cut. I absolutely HATE these myrmidons out there that want to overturn the rule of law for the rule of the mob. So farking what these jackar$e$ got $1Mill+ as a bonus. That was their contract. Just like my salary/bonus took a hit with the market decline because it was written that way. God, people, use your bloody brains. Short term anger/envy-induced solutions create extreme long-term problems!
    By Dark Overlord @ 03/18/09 10:31:36 AMreport abuse
  • "greed" and quality of life
    Ask them all if they play the lottery. If they say yes, ask them why, cuz, really, who NEEDS that much money? Who DESERVES that much money? That being said, I must admit that this is a tough one for me sometimes, too. I need to study the history of the Robber Barons. Initially it is easy to see a difference. The coal miners and steel workers were earning a life in (if I remember correctly) shanty towns while the entrepeneurs were building mulitple million dollar homes. The other side of that is that those people agreed to work for the going rate. The difference today it that sooo many people complain about their lives while POSTING ON THE INTERNET. They have TV, carpet, heat, air conditioning, etc. The quality of life today for the lower class far surpasses the quality of life during the Robber Baron era. Also, if it weren’t for the "greedy" rich, many of the luxuries of years past (and common things like a cell phone) would not be available to the masses today. Why would they bother creating these things? The thing that kills me is when people say “less fortunate” and include people who went to school with nothing traumatic in their lives. We all get a shot in this country. I can understand, however, when people say so-and-so doesn’t DESERVE 50 million dollars a year for whatever work they do. But really, do I DESERVE a TV? A computer and the internet? A car? The ability to travel anywhere in the world by plane within 24 hours? I cannot reproduce a single one of these amazing products of human ingenuity and “greed”.

    This maze of semantics reminds me of watching Meet the Press this past Sunday wherein affirmative action appointed Romer fumbled through her justification that Obama saying the fundamentals of the American economy are sound now is different than McCain saying the fundamentals are strong during a debate last fall. Funny how negative speaking with a megaphone is detrimental and positive speaking is, well, positive. These people haven’t learned that the spoken word has consequences. Real professionals. Funny how it is always Democrats splattering negativitity on televisions all over the globe. I rarely see it from Republicans. Hopey Changey. Guess it has to suck horribly in order to justify changing it. Repeat that it sucks enough, and wow, people believe it! SO MUCH SO THAT THEY STOP INVESTING IN IT.

    I often wonder if there is some power or principality at work here.

    If mankind’s progress to this point in time were limited to the highest IQ’s and most industrious work ethics (let alone the ability to try try try try try and try some more until they succeed) of all of these whiners out there arguing about ‘fairness” and “giving back” we’d still be chasing lightning for fire. I mean, really, “simple” plumbing is a GIFT. What else would you like for John Crapper and his kind to “give back”?
    By ed davis @ 03/18/09 10:25:30 AMreport abuse
  • Copy takes from the Karl Marx playbook
    Copyleft typed: "The wealth gap has GROWN instead of narrowed and the executives seem to be above the law"

    Karl Marx wrote: "the abolition of bourgeois property is a necessary first requirement for building a society that accords with the political ideal of equality."

    Copy, we're getting a little tired of your Communist manifesto drivel....
    By $mooth Operator @ 03/18/09 10:20:28 AMreport abuse
  • The Rule of Law
    This issue isn't about "greed" or "incompetence" or even bail-outs, it's about the rule of law and having a set of rules (the constitution) that we all play by. What we have today is a bunch of players (democrats) and referees (activist judges) who are breaking and changing the rules as the game is played and what they will eventually lead to is a lot of people quitting the game, which is why the DOW is falling today, because the players (investors) are getting out of the game.

    You liberals are all happy about this right now, but what happens when the pendulum swings the other way and the referees are all conservative? Are you going to be cheering as the conservative change all the rules to favor their constituents? Ah, but you don’t really have to worry about that do you, because in general, conservatives tend to follow the constitution, not find ways around it. There is a REASON we have a constitution and no one, not the president, not the congress, not the judiciary, is suppose to be above it.

    If we would all “play by the rules”, this mess never would have happened in the first place. Business that perform badly, like AIG, should be allow to fail, not given unconstitutional government bailouts, which, as we are seeing now, only perpetuate the problem. If executives of a company do something illegal, say at a company like Enron, then they should go to jail. But if I have a contract that says at the end of 12 months, if I don’t quit my job and I perform at an acceptable level I get a bonus, then that company should be required to obey my contract and the government should be enforcing that requirement, not trying to negate it. But no, in today’s world, under the Obama plan, the government, with all the power at its disposal, is changing the rules and instead of protecting the constitutional rights of its citizens, is instead leading the witch hunt, constitution be damned.

    As the old saying goes, “be careful of what you wish for, you may just get it”. If what you want, be you liberal or conservative, is a government that can change the rules to fit whatever ideology is currently in vogue, rather than a government that is limited in its power by the rule of law, then keep on cheering. As for me, I will continue to fight for what this country was founded on, a country where its people are free and the government is limited in power by a set of rules.
    By paganposts @ 03/18/09 10:14:48 AMreport abuse
  • Word Play
    I think Neal is getting a little strident on the words "greed" and "wealth envy". I'm a fiscal conservative to the nth degree but even I'm feeling the "ridiculous" button getting pushed.

    The bottom line is that greed is trying to weasel more than something is worth out of a person or agency that otherwise wouldn't do so. In effect, twisting the "fair and free" market to get more. Snake oil and fast talkers.

    Please explain how any of the bailout banks and corps haven't been doing that as a matter of course?

    Saying that greed (as defined above) is the way it has been working so we should just accept it isn't right or even logical.

    A great many things in society's past were necessary and good and then totally corrupted, requiring an equally bad backlash to fix, so does this concept go too.

    I think what so many are twisting when speaking of Ayn Rand is that her Galt (or his railroad loving lady) never inflated prices, fixed markets, tried to swindle unrealistic funds or any of the nonsense many of our execs are doing for fun. They both believed and lived for honest compensation for honest work. Bottom line.

    Clearly that isn't what we have here.

    As for wealth envy, not here. I'm one of those whose pockets are being picked by the parasitic hordes. In tax terms, I'm called "cream". Uses no services, responsible and with a good income: meaning I wind up paying very close to the actual percentage of tax listed. I'm sick of it, yes. But parasites are at both ends of the spectrum in wealth and those at the top are just as disgusting as those at the bottom.

    Bailouts are all bad so far; and getting a profit tied bonus using bailout money to get into the black is heinous. And as for contractual bonuses not tied to profit in order to fall under some imaginary line of pay while really keeping the status quo, I would think any TRUE Rand follower would examine what they did for the company and set their compensation accordingly instead of grabbing other people's money with both fists.
    By ChristyACB @ 03/18/09 09:56:12 AMreport abuse
  • Cry babies...
    Listen up folks! The words greed and envy are scrutinized far too often by poor thinkers. I’m more than positive that if the shoe were on the other foot, you wealth envy folks would be singing a different tune. Maybe if you weren’t too busy complaining, you could do something positive and reinforcing. Do you actually think these “greedy” people went to school, studied their tails off, spent long hours working while you were sleeping, and time away from their families sacrificing to work their way up the corporate food chain to be haggled by those who chose to wait tables or sit behind a desk waiting for the 5 o’clock whistle? These people didn’t start off as a corporate exec…They worked their way up from bottom. That “exec” job that you wish you had passed you by and now you are mad? Give me a break folks! If you want to protest or complain about anything, shoot for the hundreds of billions of dollars our government wastes on ridiculous pork projects. There doesn’t seem to be any outrage over what they do, but by God, if someone’s contract is fulfilled, you get your panties in a wad. When are you people going to wake up? You’re not “at the bottom of the economic totem pole” for any other reason than that’s where you choose to be!
    By Alex @ 03/18/09 09:52:01 AMreport abuse
  • A conservative's rant
    I understand some of the outrage. But from my perspective it's outrage against the same old crap of allowing, or even abetting people from experiencing the consequences of their actions. You work your butt off every day, try to do the right thing, treat your neighbor the way you want to be treated, save your money, and all that other stuff and what does it get you? The government steals your money to give it to a company that has failed in all of the above because it's "too big to fail". Then we see the executives of that same company reward itself for it's failures by giving bonuses to the same people that made it fail. My outrage isn't caused by wealth envy, it's caused by the greed of the incompetent AIG executives and the politicians in Washington that think AIG is "too big to fail".
    By Carlos @ 03/18/09 09:47:03 AMreport abuse
  • Wealth envy
    They are all clearly communists and probably don't realize it.
    By WB @ 03/18/09 09:46:04 AMreport abuse
  • Adam
    Has anyone informed Adam, that life is indeed NOT fair????
    By Anon @ 03/18/09 09:41:03 AMreport abuse
  • Greed
    Where is the outrage over how much money hollywood 'stars' make! Are they worth the millions they get? How about sports figures, are they worth it in the minds of the left? If you are going to say that what someone does isn't worth what is paid to them via a legal contract, then we better start looking at the George Clooneys of the world and Manny R of the LA Dodgers! As soon as the Congress starts talking about how much money Hollywood stars get for a movie, I'll start thinking that there is actually Hope and Change in the works!
    By Paul S @ 03/18/09 09:38:42 AMreport abuse
  • American Dream no more??
    What saddens me, is that the very thing this country was founded on, the "American Dream" is under attack. It's the American Dream that has put this chump in office, it's the American Dream that we want, that has those of us with goals and dreams working 50-60-70-80 hours a week, it's the American Dream that millions of people come to this country for. We were told when we were children, that if we work hard, "pay our dues", and make good decisions, that we will have that big house and money in the bank. Now that dream is under attack from the very person who is living it. Shame on obama, shame on these people who claim to "represent the people", shame on all of those who want to have that dream but don't want to work for it. Shame on this administration. I only pray for the next one who gets in office after this debacle, they're going to have a hell of a mess to clean up and it's going to take one very strong person to do it.
    By Anon @ 03/18/09 09:36:29 AMreport abuse
  • Bonuses
    What do you mean I'm not allowed to earn more than $500,000 a year? If I can find a way to do it I want to get it!! I don't make that much. Any advice on how to make over $500,000 would be greatly appreciated.
    By Richard Newbold @ 03/18/09 09:23:20 AMreport abuse
  • Thanks Copyleft, but not as you think...
    I wanted to thank you Copyleft. There are now a majority of people of your mindest in this country. If it were not so, Obama could not even have made out of the primary election.

    Because of this, I am "going Galt" or looking to "Escape from America" as Roger Gallo puts it because of the hideous taxation and government intrusion into my life that is forthcoming.

    Thanks for pointing out to me that I need to make preparations to "Go Galt".
    By D. Taggart @ 03/18/09 09:17:27 AMreport abuse
  • Wrong on the auto unions
    No UAW contact has ever been voided. The UAW disaffiliated from the AFL-CIO on July 1, 1968, but even then any existing contracts were keep in place. In a Nov 2008 editorial, the New York Times claimed that, counting benefits, each UAW worker receives $74/hour while Toyota workers receive about $44/hour. Sounds like they are doing very good for themselves.
    By ALfred Hussein Neuman @ 03/18/09 09:14:59 AMreport abuse
  • Don't need to listen today...again
    By checking your notes in the morning I can save myself from your whining. I've listened for a few years and learned some valuable information about our government. However as I am daily on the receiving end of the many, many things you say about liberals, the 'government' educated, tattooed people, poor people, etc. You basically preach to a demographic that enjoys a brand of humor that belittles others and is basically bully behavior. My search for a conservative to inform me of conservative views continues. Only people that enjoy verbal abuse would stay for more.
    By Robin @ 03/18/09 09:13:29 AMreport abuse
  • Greed definition
    I think it's fairly easy to define greed. Greed is wanting more in financial reward/possessions than your actions merit. That means the person on welfare is greedy because they put forth zero contributions for their income. So is a person whose pay/bonus is out of line with their skill level. You don't have to be "rich" to be greedy.
    By Marko @ 03/18/09 09:09:28 AMreport abuse
  • Adam's letter
    Adam, If you want to give some of your $100k + anual income to the "less fortunate", there are plenty of charities out there to do just that. If I don't feel like helping the less fortunate because I need that $75k my family takes in annually to pay my bills and put my kid through college I should have a choice. I don't think it's right that if I choose not to give up my income to the "less fortunate" I can end up having it forcibly taken under threat of going to prison.

    Also here is some other information. My wife works at a center that helps those "less fortunate" people get back on their feet by setting them up with jobs and a place to stay. After several months of paying the rent and making sure they don't lose their job about 95% quit their jobs and go back to being homeless. The reason is her company obviously can't afford these people's cost of living forever and stops assisting when the "less fortunate" person has a stable job and residence. These "less fortunate" people don't want to take care of themselves. They want to suckle on the government tit until that day they take the eternal dirt nap comes around.
    By Pete @ 03/18/09 09:05:03 AMreport abuse
  • Wealth Envy
    When are people going to get upset about the amount of money that Congress makes with an approval rating around 30% if it's that high. And they can vote themselves a raise. Lifetime retirement after one term. Don't talk to me about the execs pay until you address what Congress is doing to us. It's time we took our country back from the self serving folks in Washington.
    By Fred Hoffman @ 03/18/09 09:01:05 AMreport abuse
  • greed and wealth envy
    These bonuses were written into a contract. That contract can not be broken without legal and financial ramifications. What part of that do people NOT understand? AIG needs to go in there not like a humbled little puppy with its tail between its legs but a big bad Bulldog (even tho I can't stand Georgia football) and be proud of the fact that they upheld their contracts. They should tell Congress and Mr. Frank to shove this inquisition up their *cough* and remind them that this money was given with NO STRINGS OR STIPULATIONS ATTACHED.

    Further down the road, if they are going to be stupid enough to give out more bailout money, maybe Congress should attach some stipulations to said bailout BEFORE it's given. You don't give a homeless man with a history of drug and alcohol abuse cash, you give him food. Why? HE'LL SPEND THE CASH AS ALWAYS. You can't yell at him afterwards for spending the cash on drugs and alcohol. You should have known he would had you done your due dilligence beforehand.

    P.S I still think AIG should have claimed bankruptcy. never should have been bailed out in the first place
    By jennifer @ 03/18/09 08:56:14 AMreport abuse
  • Not going to define this one away, Neal
    You can try to call it "wealth envy" all you like. You can whine about how the "evil, hated rich" are being unfairly persecuted. You can deliver a ton of simpleminded one-liners about "achievers" and "job providers" and "taking your football and going home."

    But the reality has set in for most Americans. The wealth gap has GROWN instead of narrowed, and the executives seem to be above the law in their well-funded incompetence and, yes, greed. America has had enough.

    You call it "wealth envy"? The rest of us call it "justice." And the corrupt CEOs and directors have gotten away with rigging the system in their favor for long enough.
    By Copyleft @ 03/18/09 08:39:15 AMreport abuse
  • This is not greed.
    Greed is expressed by making a gain with deliberate detriment to another person. Such as stealing a TV. Or embezzlement. Or (gasp) asking the government to pay your mortgage.

    Greed is not - collecting on a deal that was made for compensation based upon some future condition.
    By kevin @ 03/18/09 08:31:53 AMreport abuse
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