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We must ALL support President Obama. I hope he does all he should do in bringing about a return of the bonus'. We, the tax payers didn't agree to paying them bonus' that they did not earn. A bonus is a reward for expertise in making sure a company makes a profit, not money for a lousy job well done. What is wrong with the Board of Directors? Or did they also get large bonus'? .

Bush and Paulson SHOULD have done this with the first taxpayer's bail out money. That was beyond STUPID not to have cared how our money was being spent.

Thank you President Obama for looking out for "main street" instead of "wall street"!!!

Lets bring back public flogging and humiliation.We could could all gather and spit on the CEOS.

Kevin-

So up until now these companies HAVE had the BEST people for the job? That's pretty scary.

Larry-

How about some examples? I ask because you REALLY seem to be full of it. Prove your point, IF YOU CAN.

I meant:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
those bailout money used for bonuses are outrage. Bonus is in times of prosperity, when things go well. If someone begs for bailout it means the company is not doing well. The greed is disgusting. I bet those people have nice salaries, they will NOT die from hunger if they tighten their belts. We, who payed for the bailout ( our tax money, we who do struggle) cannot tighten our belts much more. How those greedy people
can sleep after this?
Thank you Mr. President for being this good, this fair.

I like this guy more and more everyday!

The arrogance of these "licensed bandits" is disgusting. A bonus should be like a tip. You have to EARN IT!! They obviously haven't earned a dime. Quite the contrary...
These "CEOs" certainly have some chutzpah taking bonuses on the tax payers dime. There should be NO bonuses as long as a company or a bank that has been given these bailout "funds", keeps siphoning the very green we are providing and will be until our next generation.
I really don't know what makes them believe they are entitled to this. It's the team that earns it... or burns it, too!!
NO BONUSES... NO WAY!! CREEPS>>>

I would recognize President Obama's comments as a stern warning to CEOs at financial firms. If they continue being so greedy, they will be penalized. Let's not forget that the office held by Mr. Obama is the executive branch; his governmental branch is responsible for enforcing our laws.

And our laws state plainly that embezzlement is a crime, and you can to to jail for it. Remember this, Mr. CEO on Wall Street.

Have a good day.

While we're at it let's stop paying the salaries of U.S. Senators and U. S. Representatives who have left office. I think it's deplorable that they are paid for life after leaving office. I know of no other job where once you leave it, you continue to draw your salary.

So what about getting these billions of squandered tax payer money BACK – Billions for heaven's sake!

I loved what President Obama said about wall street. It is irresponsible and shameless. I only wish that he could have had a few explicatives. I bet his is to wholesome to do that

Postor child & Gary in OK – I agree with you both. I want to know who got what and what they look like. They need to be seen in full view of everyone and they need to be held accountable. I'd like to see those CEO's return their bonus money. How disgusting.

Americano,

Take your message to Wall Street. They really need your advice. Did someone appoint you Blog Police?

I believe that every American citizen has the right to know where EVERY penny goes and those that are receiving bailout money should account for every penny and know exactly where it all goes.

Plus, there SHOULD NOT be any bonuses paid out from those companies receiving bailout money!

What has been going on with the lack of accountability for the funds used in this bailout, is but a sham.

The same thing happened with the funds that went to the war in Iraq, We lost billions of dollars that no one could account for! This is just plain stupid and those that are handling the funds should be fired and charged for embezzlement, and sent to jail.

No one on Wall Street deserves more than $1 million a year, if that. There are thousands of people who are smarter and harder working than they are, but those people weren't in the right place at the right time to network their way into a job that lots of other people can do.

I can't believe shareholders (the sheep) stand for this BS.

Call their bluff. Let those big executives of these companies quit their job just because they can't get a million dollar bonus. With the job market in the down fall it's in now, let them go out and look for a job like all the one's their stealing jobs from. These big ex' are the real losers. They are the wimps.

I hate to say this, but when the extreme right revives its influence and retakes the White House, these CEOs will be back. Even if they were publicly identified with photographs, the next conservative administration will rehabilitate their reputations and install them as top cabinet members. We saw this happen with some interesting characters in the last administration.

The abuses of these "talented" inviduals are rampant, but they keep coming back repackaged as economic wizards. CEOs who have taken huge loans from their companies and failed to repay them are rewarded with the highest financial positions in the land, and when they have done their damage, they return to the private sector as lobbyists for their special insterest so they can loot the entire tax base. I'm thinking of a specific person now; this is not made up.

As this recession unfolds and average, hard-working people lose everything they have, let us not forget that it began before the current administration. Let us remember that it was not the Congress elected in 2006 that caused the current mortgage meltdown, but that it was elected after it had already begun. While both parties are responsible, let us not forget that it was the Reaganomic philosophy, adopted by three or four successive administrations that got us into this mess.

Trickle down is more like tinkle down. How does it feel to be tinkled on? That is precisely what has happened to us. Those who have said that the CEOs took bonuses by making employees might tight production deadlines and then laying them off are right on. It has been said that we need to pay competitive salaries so we can hire top talent for these CEO positions. What about the talented folks who design and produce? Without them, these CEOs would have nothing.

Those bonuses belong to all workers, not just to a few elitist who believe they are God's gift to the world. Bonuses in the pockets of the average worker will stimulate the economy just as much as it does in the CEO's pocket, who is very likely to put that money into a shell to avoid taxes. Let them live according to their means for a change.

Are there any conservatives out there who want to write a post claiming that limiting CEO compensation is "communism"?

Go ahead right-wingers, I dare you!

That is leadership people have been waiting to see!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that the bonuses are a deductible business expense and thus lower the taxable profit of the business. It's one of the things the big corporations use to avoid paying corporate taxes. So not only are they taking the taxpayers' money and giving it to the CEO's, they are not paying corporate taxes to replenish the treasury.

As usual, House, Senate and Cabinet members will be exempt from any investigations.

and paying taxes

How about recinding the recent pay raises that Congress voted for themselves? I would imagine that the average Congress person can get by on the salry of 165,00.00 per year and I am sure that speaker Pelosi cann make it on the 212,000.00 she makes per year. Let them keep the $10,000.00 a year car allowance and other perks asw I would not want them to have to give up too very much

Then if they all pay their taxes we can use that money to start paying off the huge debt we will owe once we borrow all of this money to not only create jobs but help folks stop smoking and an array of other programs. My question is where on earth do folk get the money for cigarettes/that would have been one of the 1st things to go.

I have an idea, why don't we tell everyone they shouldn't have profits or jobs for that matter, and that all business should not do business in this country.

We only need government anyway, don't we?

I have an idea, why don't we tell everyone they shouldn't have profits or jobs for that matter, and that all business should not do business in this country. We only need government anyway, don't we?

Great plan – create a war against the rich and successful. Who do you think pumps money into the economy? Creates jobs? Invests in this country? It sure isn't the out of work lazy minority with his hands out looking at BHO for free money. Hey democrats, who is more foolish – the fool or the fool who follows?

Obama, you watch your staff. You've already got a couple of cheats on there already.

CEOs are held accountable to their boards.

You are held accountable to the voters. While some of them are enthralled with you as of now, there is beginning to be a feeling amongst those that voted for you that they are being had.

Stick with your team, sir.

If this president could just get his cabinet picks to pay their taxes, then that would be a step in the right direction! Of course when you are a lobbist, then keeping up with payments/bonuses can be daunting!!!

so what's next? a 'tax nanny' for Geithner?

The tax on these bonuses comes to around $6 billion.

$6 billion paid to the government. That's good. Not bad.

Obama is getting ready to spend $800 billion. Only $50 billion on infrastructure and job creation. That's bad...and stupid.

The way he talks, you'd almost think Obama has no experience running a government... But hey, at least we have change and hope.

What the difference does it make what he says? You can' t believe any of it anyway.

Government involvement by the Democrats created this nightmare,Bush allowed it to happen,none of these politicians have a clue what they are doing,yet they continue to screw-up the world economy,they need to get out of the way , and let business tell them what needs to be done ,then we will on our way back to recovery.

Our country "had "done just fine for the last 200 years with capitalistic system.

Greed is a result of Rethuglians's policies and agenda now abetted by thugs like Rush. When did Rush become an economist? He couldn't graduate from a decent school with a decent degree but is lecturing the world. Rush Shambaugh should be his name.

in short americano...we're just singin the song taught to us by the liberal left. sorry...but the same rules apply. just like before.

Like Nancy Pelosi once said THE PARTY IS OVER!

allen why pray to god when you have obama

hmm...just no oversight of his own cabinet

Will posters please refrain from the following:

* Openly rooting against your President who is trying to work in a very, very difficult time. If you think life on Main St is tough, you can't fathom one day in the Oval Office. There's a difference between free speech and right to dissent, and then hoping the President fails because he is not of your party.

_________________________________________________

Answer Americano. Sorry...but no. you see...the problem is that those of us who dispise the president and his policies still have the taste of 8 solid years of total disrespect for bush still in our mouths. you two faced brown nosed posters can all take a hike. otherwise...i agree with your post.

btw.. it stated that corporate executives had handed out $20 billion in bonuses .. now how many ceo's , do u think work here in america... 1 2 maybe 3... get real ,, they handed those bonuses to other working americans,,, not 4 people ,

Is that sound I hear the toilet flushing or the country going down the drain?

Yes, those corporate CEOs need to be held accountable with those salaries and bonuses. Some of those companies were wanting a bailout from taxpayers when they handed out $20 billion in bonuses to themselves and others. Give us a break.

Mr. President:
Not everyone on Wall St works in mortgages, or was responsible for the current mess. Not everyone that has flown in a corporate jet is an evil money-grubber!

i know .. lets all put our earnings into a big pile , like tip sharing.. and then lets divy it all up equally,,, stop blaming people who make more $$$$$ than you do,,, wall street had nothing to do with this.. why not blame sports stars and movie stars that make millions ,,there is not one of you here that would turn down a 10 million $ bonus,, stop being hypocrites,, but since god said it , it has to be true,, also.. cant wait to see his magic wand next week , make another promise.

@Sue:

Those Bush "tax cuts for the rich" INCREASED government's take by $900M ($1 trillion to $1.9 trillion). The problem was that spending tripled – too many handouts to those who believe they are entitled to things or want the government to take care of them. Still complaining about tax cuts for the rich? Increasing taxes on the most productive members of society will drive those revenues down and increase deficits. It always has in the past. Then again, I'm sure those folks in Minnesota really NEED that $3M snow-making machine that Nancy Pelosi and her dem pals put in their legislation.

Good. This should have happened a long time ago.

I agree with President Obama's plan, but it's a day late and a dollar short. What happened to the first 350 Billion dollars. It paid to remodel an office, paying bonuses, luxuary jet, well they did not take that. My advice is that since it is our tax money that paid for the first bail-out, do you think we could take one of their many luxuary corperate jets and go to, well the Super Bowl, a Hawaiian vacation.

THINK ABOUT THAT ONE, nice huh!

Ooh! The Republicans are going to hate this one! They're so in bed with corporations and CEO's that they think these guys actually deserve bonuses worth millions of dollars while the companies are losing money and laying off workers. The GOP is so out of touch with reality that it's a blessing that we have Obama in the White House to shut down their corruption.

I want to know where I can get a job that I suck at that pays me millions or billions in bonuses!

So let me get this straight, Obama wants to crack down on CEO's giving out bonus's to employees who have worked hard all year to get them. Sounds like a round about way of government taking over payroll. Maybe Obama should put his own money where his mouth is after spending millions on his inauguration bash.

@Americano:

Funny how all you democrats want these "play nice" rules now. Where were they for the last 8 years?

He can limit their pay, and then just allow them to abscond on their taxes, then everyone will be happy.

I'm glad he is stepping up and doing something about the ceo's. Any ceo's company/bank (whatever) received bailout funds, shouldn't receive or deserve even a paycheck. They and people like stupid rudy g. are greedy pigs. Again it just shows they don't get it.

Shouldn't our government have put in oversight on the first bailout? What a bunch of idiots. Or maybe we should try some trickle up economics and see what happens. It's obvious the people in power of these companies have little concern for their employees or customers.

Obama is such a pompous and arrogant scold. He can't micromanage private businesses with his "oversight" and other feel-good happy-talk, even if they are given public money which they don't deserve. The solution is to let housing prices fall to market-set levels and let failing banks fail.

The way to move this country forward, is to employ the HONEST, GENEROUS, INNOVATIVE and hard-working Americans, back into politics, back into upper management positions. So many times, these individuals are thrown out of companies. In fact, Ross Perot used to be one of them. He gave IBM a concept, they laughed at him and he started his own company. God, Guts and Guns.

To me the insane amount being paid to C.E.O.`s over the last 30 years represent some kind of economic "Mad Cow Disease." The idea that some shmuck sitting in their nivory tower making far more than all a companies employees put together is the height of greed and stupidity. And then to be paid millions when they are proven to be incompetant is just mind boggling. It is capitalism at it`s worst. A tiny minority at the very top get stinking rich; while the majority live off of the "Trickle Down" leftovers. And you wonder why the U.S. is in such a state of economic termoil. Terminal greed and stupidity!!!

get the names of these CEOs, publish those names, make sure either they pay the money back or pay the appropriate taxes on that money.
these are the crooks. So we need to make sure that they go to the jail

It is about time. Being rich is one thing, even being filthy rich is one thing, but staling from the american people while you screw the pooch/system is unacceptable and these guys should pay it back.

Let's discuss the fact that some of these people have indeed earned their high salaries for the company and their stockholders. If it wasn't for the problems of people borrowing etc., and the act of "buying" almost disappearing, these people would not be asking for bailouts or loans. No one can be in a postion to sell if the money isn't out there and those problems are the ones not being addressed. The car companies are in trouble because no one can get the loans needed to purchase. Other companies are in trouble not because of their own actions but because of actions by others not under their control. The fatc that Obama and others were involved in tossing away the first TARP money so freely with absolutely NO control over it, now they want to punish the ones that still need help and make them jump through hoops that the others didn't??? People better address the right problems here or it will be another 800billion down the drain with no results just like the 350billion already wasted.

There is a sure way to make sure our best and brightest don't undertake these jobs. I guess he is planning on giving them to Chicago political hacks.

Mr Obama is trying to regulate CEO's when he can't even vet his cabinet picks properly. [Geithner and Daschle] The moral and ethical approach promised by Mr. Obama is another broken promise by the new regime. Just a pure case of do as I say and not as I do. If you expect the CEO's to be held at a higher standard so should the president, Senate and Congress. Like you said the American people will not tolerate or excuse arrogance or greed by the CEO's or by the government.

Enough talk from all of these politicians. I want action. This economy is tanking like a rocket and these people are continuing to let wall street runaway with all of the money. I want to see some caps placed on wall street pay. I am with Claire McCaskill.

Not one more dime for Wall Street or Banks! Let em fall!

Obama is an expert on arrogance and greed!

This is what a real President does! Act!!! I hated when for the past eight years, we had one that kept telling everyone, "there's nothing he can do".

They all need to be in timeout.

Whatever. He keeps appointing tax frauds and has taken the pacifist road with Iran.

Obama is now irrelevant on the world stage. He has zero experience and has shown his fundamental lacking of capabilities. I'm not saying McCain would have done better, but at least Iran wouldn't be thumping their chests now and telling America to bow down before them.

Bush and his cronies dropped the ball – they allowed everything to turn into a free for all with no oversight at all.
They really screwed our country up.

Lack of oversight has hurt us terribly and gotten us into this mess.
I have confidence in our President to do the job right.

GREAT, President Obama. Executives, are SO OUT OF TOUCH!

The ABUSE, that they have demonostrated over the years . . . and now–they STILL IGNORE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY!

THEY NEED TO BE PUT IN THE UN-EMPLOYMENT LINE!

how was obama responsible in spending 170 million, or more, on his inauguration? it was donated money but a less costly inauguration should have been the order of the day with surplus money going to food banks, shelters, for the many hard hit americans, including children, by the worst economy since the Great Depression. how is obama responsible in naming a former lobbyist and tax evader to secretary of the treasury and selecting daschle for his cabinet, a man who evaded paying his taxes. who is calling who, irresponsible?

After what some CEO's have done they should not receive another bailout. No one is bailing me out. Let them go under. Congress should have put limits on the previous bailout. Citigroup, AIG and the rest that abused the funds should not get another red cent.

Irresponsible? Those bonuses for Wall Street employess are earned. That is what they work for. You want to talk about irresponsible. How about Congress giving themselves a raise? How about all the money spent on the inaugeration?

It is easier said than done. GOP ultra conservatives and other non-political hardliners will cry foul. Particularly, those who behave vociferously in the radio or TV, will balk and bark at Obama's plan of action against the fat cat CEOs. Who knows? It may, quite well, be a tussle. For pete's sake, do not forget those who profess themselves to be economic experts such as the ones from conservative talk show.

Well, battle lines have already been drawn and a blood bath is inevitable.

Thank God!

Be careful when a government who is supposed to representa people begins to ridicule, demonize and blame the very people who elected them. One may agree with the government blame game as long as their not on the receiving end, but eventually all people become the cause of the problem in governments eyes.

He still does not get it! The American people are tired of bailing out people that have made bad decisions. The time has come to let people be accountable and suffer when they made bad decisions. I work and pay my bills, when I made a bad move I pay for it. The time has come to let people earn their way and not have their hand out to the government to take care of them.

I'm afraid the "Instant Gratification" in usall have gotten us focused upon the stimulus plans and bailouts while we should also be looking at the legislation, rules, regulations, etc... which caused our economic meltdown, have they been rectified such as oursourcing our jobs, Lax SEC regulations, regegulating our banks, etc... all the factors which contributed to our ruined economy probably continue to exist thus any stimuli or bailouts are a moot point.

just no oversight of his own cabinet

those bailout money used for bonuses are outrage. Bonus is in times of prosperity, when things go well. If someone begs for bailout it means the company is not doing well. The greed is disgusting. I bet those people have nice salaries, they will die from hunger if they tighten their belts. We, who payed for the bailout ( our tax money, we who do struggle) cannot tighten our belts much more. How those greedy people
can sleep after this?
Thank you Mr. President for being this good, this fair.

Well the first part of the bailout program did not contain ANY oversight or accountability. This was done during the BUSHCO era. Now we find out about huge bonuses, hoarding of funds instead of what this program was designed for. And the Wall Str fatcats are grumbling that there might be a cap on salaries, or worse yet..NO bonuses.

Hearing Rudy Giulani defend those bonuses was unbelievable. What is he thinking? Joe & Jane Lunchbox are facing the loss of jobs, credit, housing, and are struggling with out a bonus. I really don't think anyone will quit a job with such great pay over not getting a bonus.

It is said that the bounses are PART of their pay. If I got a bonus it was because the company did very well and it was a reward for good, hard work and not part of the base wage. To be rewarded for destroying the company you work for is insane . Get real!!!

I get so sick of hearing that if these companies didn't pay these big bonuses, the CEOs would leave. With the economy in its current state, exactly where would they go? Nowhere, because their sorry selves are lucky to have a job after the great job they did getting themselves in the mess they're in.

No matter what so-called safeguards are put in place in reference to CEO pay, you can bet these scumbags will find a loophole and exploit it to the nth degree. Taxpayers will still be soaked for the big bucks these losers think they deserve.

Liberalism is a desease

Now I see why this country is in the big mess it is in, with CEOs like these, Bush Administration, and the Republicans. President Obama has been lefted a mess to try to straighten out, a BIG mess. But these CEOs shouldn't get another dime until they agree not to pay out these big bonuses. Since we all have to sacrifice, shouldn't that include these greedy CEOs?

I might offer one warning to our new President: "If you lie down with thieves, It is possible that you may not get up smelling like a rose."

CAP CEO COMPENSATION + BONUSES AT $400,000 A YEAR!

Even George W Bush did not get paid more than $400,000 for running the country into the ground..

Why should CEO's get billions for running their companies into the ground? Those billions could have been paid out in dividends to their shareholders, which would have pumped money into the economy. They have raided their companies, and robbed their shareholders!

Their Boards of Directors should be held accountable and jailed for not carrying out their fiduciary duties...they provided no oversight, and did not represent the shareholders' interests!

President Obama is RIGHT.

TO WALL STREET & BANKS:

IF YOU TAKE TAX PAYER MONEY THEN THERE IS NO ....BONUS!

IF YOU TAKE TAX PAYER MONEY, YOU MUST LOWER THE SALARY OF YOUR PEOPLE, FROM THE CEO, ON DOWN!

PEOPLE ON MAIN STREET ARE NOT BEING BAILED OUT, THEY ARE HELPING ........YOU...... BANKS & WALL STREET WITH OUR HARD EARNED MONEY........ YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO A BONUS!

Harsh words don't mean anything unless followed up by swift action and penalties for misappropriation.

Dear Mister President,

Would you accept a little sideline ? You are VERY welcome to come up here in Canada and be our new Prime Minister. You would be elected easily, with a HUGE majority.

BTW, our "bright" financial minister did a carbon copy of your economic approach and is investing billions of dollars in infrastuctures, schools, fixing roads and ect, to "give a boost to economy", In fact, the government is basing it's decisions on everything you are doing.

Believe me, Mr. President, you would be tremendously welcomed here.

Thank you for thinking about it
)

Your friendly neighbour
Hugues from Laval

So who's going to watch you Obama? What a joke. We all know what your doing.

I think it is interesting that President Obama is complaining about the banks paying huge bonus when the federal government allows its contractors to give huge bonus to their CEOs in these tough economic times. People may consider this apples and oranges, but when utilizing government funds, everyone should be treated equally.

I applaud Senator McCaskill proposed salary cap and suggest that she extend the concept to cover not only the financial institutions, but any corporation or individual employee that receives the majority of their revenue from the federal government.

Why doesn't the President have the Attorney General investigate if any laws were broken by giving $20 Billion bonuses? This is beyond greed, it should be criminal. Not only do I want the $20 Billion back in the Treasury but they should be fined another $20 Billion for their greed and spend years in jail. The American people can hardly pay their bills and these Billionaires are screwing us more. Does anyone in Washington have a clue or care about us?

Let us see if this gets as many hate filled comments from the whacko liberals as the story about Palin's grandson's name did. As I recall it was about 300.

First of all, the government has no right to restrict citizens pay.

Besides, CEO's pay taxes on their bonuses. 30-35% of that bonus goes to the government. That's the reason we have tax brackets.

Second, the Democrats are the ones spending BILLIONS of dollars on projects that have nothing to do with "recovery" and will generate no jobs.

I would rather have the tax revenue from Wall Street the debt from congress.

the fact that the TARP went through relatively unchallenged in its detail or LACK of conditions exhibits the carlessness and lack of oversight of both Houses of Congress, the Treasury Dept., the POTUS and all economists in favor of the bailout.

It is that very behavior of our government and the corporations that should inspire ALL of US to DEMAND BETTER than the SPEND and PAY OFF BILL in the SENATE. SEVENTY, (70), PER CENT of the bill has no effect in 09 of stimulating the econmy. Over half of that 70%, is simply SPEND measures without any trickle to the economy.

WASHINGTON D.C. IS STILL LOBBYIST HAVEN and HEAVEN

SOCIALIST. How about........we just don't give bailouts to bad CEOs.

I hope he is successful. Their actions have been appalling. it's time to clean that rat's nest we call Wall Street out.

I don't have any problem with someone being paid well, and given bonuses for top performance. I DO have extreme anger over someone getting top pay and bonuses, when they came to me a few months ago as a tax payer, hats in hand, asking for bailout money, and then just blew it on fun stuff. There should be jail time for these idiots. Let's keep GITMO open. I think we just thought of a new use for it. I'll help with the waterboarding (not to get information, just to teach these clowns a lesson).

Shades of the old Soviet Union! Government oversight on profits and bonuses! While it is appalling bankers and stock traders and such have earned their 'do as I say and not as I do' reputations one ugly deal at atime, it is not the government's job to dictate what a private entity's compensation system is supposed to be and do.

Make the bailout terms firm and fair and enforceable so that they aren't misused – but do not go meddling into areas that government has businees being in. If the banks and such don't like the terms and oversight of the bailout – refuse to give them the funds and let the chips fall where they may – but meddling in an internal business' affairs – providing they are legal – is not the job of the government.

Wall Street brought this onto themselves. They say the work hard and deserve it. There are thousands of people who are just as smart, who work as hard, and could do just as good a job. But those people aren't connected into the protected Wall Street world. There is not real competition for those jobs. It is artificial. Wall Street is socialism, the socialist parasites take our wealth and distribute it among themselves. Wall Street has to be made transparent, the running of those publicly held companies has to be open to shareholders.

Who is he going to appoint to oversee his cabinet to make sure they all pay their taxes.

If you don't pay what you owe, or if you take what is not yours, it is the same thing – STEALING!!

We have a bunch of thieves running the gov't and wall st.

It is about time someone cracks down on the unethical and immoral practices of many CEOs in this country whereby requiring huge sums of monies and totally rediculous bonuses and perks for doing absolutely nothing except being the named head of a company. These are the most pernicious of the vile GOP (Greedy Old Pigs) and should be reined in with extreme consequences for any company seen playing to these most greedy and irreputable of all in the business world. There is absolutely NOONE who does anything within a company to help a company in any way better thier profits by the degree that these vile persons feel they should be compensated for. This is the most rediculous and highly visible form of the rich taking care of the most rich by enhancing thier wealth from the exploited sweat of those who work for these companies. There is no CEO in this history of this country who has done enough to earn half of what he has been given for the job and no CEO has ever done nearly enough to qualify for even a tenth of what many of them are given as compensation for doing nearly nothing but going to the golf course and flying around in a private corporate jet. If a CEO gets more than 10 times the lowest employee of the company then the company should be forced to pay a guaranteed 20% extra in corporate taxes as a result of this unethical practice no deductions of any kind allowed to lower or set aside this penalty should be allowed and no dividends should be allowed to be paid out to ant=y stockholder as a result of this type of practice. It is time the CEOs did the same as every one else in this country, earn they pay they receive, not be given it just because they are rich and have lots of power, this is tne biggest shame of Wall Street and should be addressed with the strictest possible consequences for any business found practicing such.

The CEO's should put their bonuses togeather and bail out themselves instead of the umemployed being expected to pay for a bailout for them to take a cruise with. Are any of them going to prison like the gentleman that bought all the silver just to have the silver market crash? He made an honesat mistake and paid dearly for it but Wallstreet CEO's think they are entitled to our money.

Wow someone that is willing to work on the problems of the economy and have acountabilty. President Obama thank you for doing the peoples bidding. Now if the do nothing republicans will just get out of the way and stop trying to obstrut ever thing you are working so hard to fix. You go sir. great respect for your efforts .

So the horse is out of the barn and we're going to denounce these bonuses but can we get the money back or punish the greedy CEO's?

All this talk you hear from Obama proves that he does not understand what he is talking about. Excluding top executives, bonuses are how people on Wall Street get paid. They receive a bonus if they make money for the company...if they are not profitable then employees receive no bonus. This is similar to asking the employees to work for free. If that is what Obama wants the companies will not survive and the impact will be even larger. Would you ask a waitress to work and not receive tips? This is Obama playing the blame game and the media going along with it.

Good for Obama! It's about time someone put a stop to the selfish greed in the corporate board-rooms. There is no excuse for ANYONE to receive a multi-million dollar bonus – especially when the company is failing and on the dole. This would be akin to a welfare mother seeking a million dollar bonus. It's time to make those white collar elitist criminals work like the rest of us.

Thank God someone is stepping up to the plate for the American
people. Two thumbs up for Obama.

Will posters please refrain from the following:

* Openly rooting against your President who is trying to work in a very, very difficult time. If you think life on Main St is tough, you can't fathom one day in the Oval Office. There's a difference between free speech and right to dissent, and then hoping the President fails because he is not of your party.

* Giving us your thoughts on how to fix the economy if you do not have a Masters or better in Econ or Development, or actual know how. Yes you want a job and more money, but you don't want more tax debt in the future or higher taxes. Wow, the kid at Burger King could have said the same banal observation. If your view of "tax cuts" or "more jobs" were so profound, wouldn't we have done it?

* Talking about how Obama's the best thing since sliced bread. Again, no need to pile on unwarranted criticisms, but let's not carve his image into Mt Rushmore yet.

So what am I advocating? That people do something themselves instead of expecting the government to fix everything. If you know anything about government, you'll know it's based on Enlightenment principles which never held into belief that the government was a cure all for every problem. Why not try:
* Balancing your checkbook
* Living within your means, not off your credit cards
* Not owning more car(s) or house(s) than you can afford
* Consuming what you need, not what you want
If any of these four apply to you, you are as much at fault for this dilemma as any Wall Street executive or politician. The truth is a hard pill to swallow, and until you do...we're all in trouble.

And Rudy G. wants to keep the bonuses so rich New Yorkers can go to lunch! Let these losers brown bag it. Why should my money pay for some rich person's lunch?? What a loser!!

Disgusting!!!

So happy AHs like him are out of power!!

How about a prison stint for them also? Embezzlement!

Tough talk is cheap. Repayment of the 18 billion to the government from the money they received from the taxpayers should be immediate, like 8:00 am Monday. If payment is not received, future bailout's to this company should not be considered.

It is time for the government to take action instead of just talking about it on CNN.

Tax the bonus at 100%.

Even when the CEO succeeded in turning the company around to big profitability, it was never done the CEO alone. It required the actions of thousands of staff who ended up working harder and earning less but who got nothing in bonus or at best peanuts.

In our company, the boss cut staff, killed all raises and bonuses long enough to make the balance sheet look good and get himself a big promotion and raise by the parent company. Meanwhile the remaining staff are struggling to deal with the workload but have flat salaries for several years.

We need to get away from the notion of superstar CEO's to team involvement and team support.

A key weapon in the President's armory of economic weapons should be requiring the Social Securities E-Verify System be used by ALL American businesses to facilitate employment of our citizens, combat identity fraud, safeguard SSNs and reduce illegal immigration. The key word is "Illegal" since our economy is in no shape to support anything illegal whether immigrants or Wall Street CEOs. By returning to our laws and values we can overcome anything but to wallow in a sea of unenforced law is a bottomless pit!!!

I can understand the pay set up on Wall Street where employees could get only a portion of their pay or reduced payment during the year and the balance at years end but it should not be in the form of a bonus. A bonus is a sum paid in exchange for meeting a specific goal. As such, the Wall Street bonuses could not then be an unpaid portion of the employees pay.

This situation is worsened by the purchase of items such as $30,000.00 toilets. Have these people not heard of HOME DEPOT or LOWES and other stores that sell for less?? I mean DANG!!!.

Mr.President It is about time that we have a leader that will make sure that CEO'S do not misuse bailout funds,the party is over,from someone that lost her job due to a plant closing. We need to get this nation back in the right order so people can get jobs,not argue about stupid stuff,and start helping one another out,and not be so selfish

10 BILLION!?!?!? My dear president, Can you see about getting that money back so it can be apropriated BACK into the stimulus package? Sheesh.

Get'em Barack. These crooked CEO's and CIO's lay off lower level people so that they can get their bonuses. Of the 100K that were layed off this year, how many of them were the execs? Aren't they the problem? If their companies aren't hitting the numbers, shouldn't they take the hit? They get larger bonuses when the companies they work for make money. Something seems crooked there. Watch out for Karma you crooked CEO's.

How about some strict oversight on CONGRESS and the SENATE??
Just look at the greed of our politicians and the money lost at their hands.

The scumbag CEO's who are responsible knew they were doing wrong and that's why they ripped off the taxpayers before President Obama took office. They're guilty by calendar date.

This protectionist president is poisoning the global trade regime. he is inviting a dangerious conflict.

In addition – I hope there will be oversight of these multi-national company's that are "blowing" jobs out the back door to oversea markets – - – - and then not bringing anything back into the community they left. No "political party" is going to be successful until this country learns how to "make" something again, versus trying to exist on goods from foreign lands and local services! That is not the way our country was built.

Yes, but by all means lets create more overpaid government union jobs instead. They make 37% more than private sector non-union jobs, and 17% more than private sector union jobs. The taxpayers can fund these jobs instead, since companies can't look overseas for more reasonable wages.

I'm certain that the "Socialist/Marxist" people will be here whining soon, but I have a question for them. What is a better idea? And if one of you spouts "tax cuts" I may scream. Bush gave the wealthy, business, and others cuts, and look at what has happened. It does not create jobs. And CEOs taking bailout money and giving it to themselves is criminal.

Great! And don't forget to use that line item veto to get the pork out of the stimulus plan.

So far Obama has Not done ANYTHING he has said he would do,but he has done a lot of things he said he WOULD NOT do.This is Chicago politics.

What about stricter oversight of his cabinet members? Seems they can't even figure out how to pay their taxes.

that will be a mess to sort out

At some point these CEOs have to understand that the companies they run are not theirs; the company money they spend is not theirs; the bonuses they hand out doesn't come from their money; and apparently the bonuses they get for themselves is not earned.
Greed has replaced responsibility in the business world, and has filtered down to the common folk far too much. We need a citizenship revival and an awakening of the American spirit. I'm praying that President Obama can be the force to bring that about.

I have suggested that a modular approach be taken to address individual areas such as mortgages, banks, jobs, investments, etc... to narrow the scope and increase transparency while identifying and accomplishing the goals. Having one large package leaves too much room for mismanagement.

This is all great in theory. $400k limit, same as the president. The problem lies in the fact that the president doesnt have competition. Watch these companies fall harder now that they cannot hire the best person for the job due to the competitors that didnt accept bailout money offering well in excess of $400k. But hey, this is a Public Relations move. Down with the evil CEOs!

Long time coming.... as long as corporate chiefs kept the stock prices high, nothing was good enough for them and that mentality has led us to the brink. We should never have begun treating these people as deities and glorifying bottom-line-over-all thinking.

That notion overlooks the reality that 70% of this economy is consumer driven... if you marginalize the consumers, where do you find customers? Ask the automakers about it.... they've gotten the picture now.

I hope President Obama starts with what the Government is doing with the last half of the TARP money.

In essence, we the taxpayers funded money for the bailouts...that was supposed to "fix" the economy, instead it is worse...and now we are going to fund another 1.2 Trillion?

That is 31,500 years plus or minus a few years...1.2 Trillion Seconds.

I would let the world know who each one was with a photo and short bio of each man or woman.