Maybe instead of "bonuses" AIG ought to just call the money something else. Balloon payments? How about "severance pay"?
The previous administration always made much hay over just calling something a name it wasn't. I bet people wouldn't be as upset about "commissions" as they are about "bonuses." AIG ought to take a hint from the Bushies.
Also I guess they could write off the money to advertising. With all the press they're getting over "bonusgate" (I typed it here first people) they can probably lay off any TV advertising for 18 months.
You can probably tell that I think that the last thing these folks deserve are bonuses. Tonight on NPR someone pointed out that if the company had gone out of business the execs would be getting nothing, but because that would take the rest of the economy with it we the taxpayers pony up the bailout money, and then ipso facto since the company isn't bankrupt they have to make the payments.
Makes sense to me... unfortunately.
There's another answer though. Some of the higher up execs have decided they wouldn't take the bonus. Some have even said they won't draw salary for the year. How about an executive order stating that any employee of any company receiving bailout money that takes a bonus is guaranteed to have this year and the past seven years' taxes audited by the IRS.
You can take the money, but then the tax man is a-coming.
Might be just the incentive needed to get these schmucks to do the right thing.
Just a thought.
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