More Outrage Over the Merrill Bonuses

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Clawback the Merrill Bonuses going back the last few years. When that is done, some criminal indictments are in order.

timo of NY 12:50AM April 15, 2009

No one, no where, will ever settle this hulabaloo, because it is to much money. The crooked lawyers, the crooked politicians, the crooked bankers, all of the crooked people, involved.......from the smallest to the highest......will always make sure that all of this goes away. When u are talking about 100,000 dollars, u might stand a chance. When it is this kind of money, everybody that is working it, inside and out, is trying to figure out "whats in it for me", mentality.
Thats where its going to stay, with the rich getting richer, and the richest........well, they will just keep on getting richer.
Bottom line, nobody cares, as long as they are well connected, and will get their slice of the PIE!

donny raymond helton of MS 8:32PM March 20, 2009

No one, no where, will ever settle this hulabaloo, because it is to much money. The crooked lawyers, the crooked politicians, the crooked bankers, all of the crooked people, involved.......from the smallest to the highest......will always make sure that all of this goes away. When u are talking about 100,000 dollars, u might stand a chance. When it is this kind of money, everybody that is working it, inside and out, is trying to figure out "whats in it for me", mentality.
Thats where its going to stay, with the rich getting richer, and the richest........well, they will just keep on getting richer.
Bottom line, nobody cares, as long as they are well connected, and will get their slice of the PIE!

donny raymond helton of MS 8:31PM March 20, 2009

These people have themselves confused with someone who is important! The problem is that these CEO's have no "skin in the game". In years past, the majority of corporate leaders were the owners/operators of their respective businesses - they in fact capitalized their companies and either reaped the benefits of good decisions and sank with the ship regarding poor decisions. The CEO's of today are political aficionados that rise up this golden ladder with no regard for the shareholders and little or no real capital of their own at risk and zero accountability - so they are fired by the board and walk away with 100 million - count me in! Obviously there are good and honest CEO's but my point is that these boards need to find a way for the exectutives to participate on both the upside and downside and to have some "skin in the game" in order for us to regain trust in our investments.

Jack of GA 3:39PM March 17, 2009

Bonuses should be tied by how much a corporation pays in dividends,for example if the share holders get a 5% dividend, all the bonus recipients should also get 5% time their base pay. If the company chooses not to pay dividends, then there would be no bonuses paid. A lot of conpanies do not pay dividends and use their capital for expansion, as they become successful, they can start to pay dividends again and resume their bonuses. A Failing company that pays Ceo's bonuses and eliminates their dividends, shall be considered
"Stealing" from their Shareholders, which are the owners of the company. Legislation should be passed regarding this issue.

Emile A Pauly of HI 3:21AM March 17, 2009

Politicians and their legal advisors all claim they can't break the existing contracts for bonuses. But we all know what politicians do best - increase taxes.
So, easy answer - let them pass a tax bill that creates a special income tax on all bonuses at 75% or more, that are paid out by any company that requires government bail out funds. The special tax, plus standard income tax, will result in the recipients owing more than their original bonus, so all these poor banking executives will have no choice but to refuse their bonus in the first place.
Bet the politicians will fail on that as an option as well!! They all owe to much to their wealthy PAC benefactors.

Ripped Off Taxpayer of FL 10:57PM March 16, 2009

I am tired of all the mega bonus boys. Congress and senate went to sleep and the financial market went to work robbing the country. You can not trust anyone anymore do your research. The companies played economic ambush with the american people and we are left holding an empty bag. Where did these CEO's go to school state prison.I just feel sorry for all those folks who lost money with your organizations. My thoughts are to confiscate all your personal property and auction it off to pay as much of this debt as possible airborne

Jim of GA 7:33PM March 16, 2009

Where is that barrel of tar and bag of feathers....

averageguy of MO 12:04PM March 16, 2009

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Socialist States of America...with liberty and justice for all if you have enough money. Congress represent us? Past tense only. Sad aint it.

John Q. Public of SC 11:12AM March 16, 2009

I am a current employee and people at Director levels or barely qualify for FVP status got 1/4 million dollar bonuses. These people are supporting back office projects
that have barely any ROI.
Some of these people are already gone in the latest rounds of layoffs.

James C. of NJ 10:55PM March 15, 2009