Some companies in the bailouts agree to NO Bonuses.

I was very pleased to hear that G.S. had opted to not got for the bonuses. That AIG and the others, were seen as having a grand old time on our dime didn't do well for the other co.'s that may have wanted to follow suit. The CEO of G.S. was due for a 300 million bonus this year, along with others that were getting just about the same. The way I see it, is that AIG as well the the others that got a piece of that pie, have just pushed themselves out in the forefront and I hope that it will make their customers think twice before they use their services. Just how much money is AIG making off of the customers and investors and not able to pay the bills? DCMerkle

As I understand it, some of the other banks receiving bailout money have already given bonuses to their execs, and they're also using the money to buy smaller banks instead of increasing lending like they're supposed to be doing. (By the way, thanks to a possibly illegal little change in tax code from the Treasury, their buying of those banks will help some of them make a couple extra billion dollars with your money.) In my mind, kindness isn't a factor in that decision. If these banks came so close to failing that they needed the taxpayer to come in and help them out, then their execs shouldn't deserve a bonus.

If I were them, it'd be because of fear of repercussions to flout a hefty sum in the faces of the angry masses. I'd have nightmares about pitchforks and torches. *nodnods* Maybe SOME of them did it out of the goodness of their hearts, but I doubt that that's most of 'em. As for the rest of 'em...it'll be hit an' miss. If they're smart they'll agree "NO BONUSES, GOOD BEHAVIOR". But if they were smart, most of them wouldn't be in this position to begin with.

Well, considering each GS executive earns a salary of $600,000 a year and CEO, Lloyd Blankfein got a christmas bonus lat year totaling almost 70 million last year, I'm sure it isn't going to hurt them any. Of course this is all just the on the books stuff, lord knows how much financial voodoo goes on behind the scenes in these companies. The maze is so complex, even the people investigating and sorting the whole deal can't tell where to even begin.

I fail to understand why any company that is failing to the extent that they need a bailout would want to pay a BONUS to their executives. They are obviously not doing the job they should be or the company wouldn't be failing - and yet they want to reward them! I personally think that any company that misuses the funds provided by our tax dollars, should be made to pay the money back WITH INTEREST and a PENALTY!

i dint except goldman sachs ceo to be $600,000. that a huge amount. yep. its nice to see some of the bailout companies are not giving out huge bonus. i don't thinks this is because of kindness. there financial position isn't good so there are no giving bonus. generally bonus will be given when the company is earning huge profits. i my view it is a right decision. i hope they get of this financial crisis soon

there are financial crisis, bailouts etc all over. I think all these high officials, like CEO, directors etc are all very secure a sthey will continue to earn huge what we can't even think of.

what a big amount of money! oh my how will i spent it if i will be given that huge amount.hahahaha. well, bonuses depends our salary, maybe he got that huge amount of money because he plays a very risky role in the company especially he is a CEO, and i think he deserves to have that amount.

As far as I am concerned the bonuses paid while they were running their business into the ground should be forfeit and paid back. 68 million dollar bonus is obscene when they were running their business into the ground. There should be strict provisions on the flagrant spending like the executives spent 400,000$ on a resort retreat. If they do not comply they should be sent to jail. These people are walking away with millions of dollars while ordinary citizens are seeing their houses being repossed, people are seeing their investments and savings and retirement accounts evaporate and have not a hope of recovering financiall like the fat cats do. Why is the government giving away billions to companies who could not manage their own money is being given public money to squander with no strings attached.