They still don't get it

The outrage over the AIG bonuses (real or not) just points out how out of touch everyone is.

AIG (and Wall Street in General) - Okay they had contracts, and you have to remember that even on a losing baseball team, you could have a superstar that needs to get paid, but guys, did you ever take a course in marketing? You had a whole year to inform everyone, temper the reaction, explain the situation, cut back or renegotiate the bonuses - did you really think nobody would notice?

The Government - Same marketing question as above, if you give out money (and those blaming the Democrats, remember; this deal for TARP was under the previous administration, this was a modification in the stimulus plan to restrict compensation, with the infamous clause). Keep you mouth shut till you know the facts and then be honest - If AIG pulled one over on us, shame on them. If it happens again shame on you.

The Average Citizen - Give me a break - the last place Baltimore Orioles in 2008 had more that 10 players who made over 1 million dollars. The highest player made over 8 million. Do you think that they shouldn't be paid? What about all the financial companies that went out of business? Did those guys get bonuses? We don't even know what the people who got the bonuses did. Maybe they saved the company billions of dollars. Grow up and start being responsible yourself.

The real problem, and nobody has spoken about this, is the salary gap between the average person and the highest wage earners. Where was all this outrage when things were good? They were getting even more obscene bonuses then, but nobody cared, because times were good. If we are going to make any changes we have to be consistent and vigilant. Learn from our mistakes and not keep making the same ones over and over and over.....

ChrisZ

10 min