Our financial system is crumbling this week.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

over $20 billion has already been earmarked as bonus funds for management and employees

This bothers me.

Yes, it should.

[G. Keenan]

over $20 billion has already been earmarked as bonus funds for management and employees

This bothers me.

Yes, it should.

If this is true it can not stand. That is outrageous.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

[expletive] the bailout and all those who supported it.

I'm so [expletive] mad right now I can barely stand it. This is the biggest crock of bull [expletive] I've ever [expletive] seen. And, what's worse is they (the banks) simply don't give two [expletive] because they knwo we can't do anything about it. They saw AIG get away with a lavish weekend so they knew people wouldn't be happy and did it anyway. Why? Because they could and nwo they're sitting there laughing flipping everyone off.

[cardinalkarp]

If the government giveth can't the government taketh away?

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

It is reported that the financial industry pays base salaries in the range of $80,000 to $600,000 and apparently that is simply not enough to keep some of the best and brightest working to keep their companies profitable

There are so many things wrong with this statement I don't even know where to begin.

1) Their companies aren't profitable.

2) If you're going to say you need the best to keep them profitable, then you obviously don't have the best.

3) You're paying bonuses b/c you're afraid to lose these employees that aren't the best.

4) $80,000 to $600,000 is a lot of money as is.

5) I could do their jobs twice as well becasue I'm not a complete [expletive] idiot.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

If the government giveth can't the government taketh away?

No. The credit lines would freeze.

At least, that's how they sold this whole [expletive] fiasco to the gov.

[Hungary Jack]

[expletive] the bailout and all those who supported it.

[expletive] you too, then.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

[expletive] the bailout and all those who supported it.

[expletive] you too, then.

I didn't mean you HJ or anyone really. Just got a little fired up there.

[Hungary Jack]

[expletive] the bailout and all those who supported it.

[expletive] you too, then.

I didn't mean you HJ or anyone really. Just got a little fired up there.

I understand. It sucks that these execs will get paid for making such bad decisions that brought about this mess. Perhaps Congress will have some influence in this matter.

It could be just coincidence, but the bailout by many appearances has brought relief to the short-term credit market, which is vital for companies to finance their everyday operations. The commercial paper market has rebounded. Corporate bond yields have come down, and spreads over Treasury securities has lessened. In short, short-term lenders to business have started lending again without demanding crippling interest rates. It's not great, but it's a marked improvement over a month ago.

[Arthur Dent]

It could be just coincidence, but the bailout by many appearances has brought relief to the short-term credit market, which is vital for companies to finance their everyday operations. The commercial paper market has rebounded. Corporate bond yields have come down, and spreads over Treasury securities has lessened. In short, short-term lenders to business have started lending again without demanding crippling interest rates. It's not great, but it's a marked improvement over a month ago.

Agreed. None of that excuses paying executives bonuses or shareholders dividends out of the treasuries of banks that took federal funds. That should have been banned beforehand and it ought to be stopped now. That's an absolutely outrageous use of taxpayer money and should be stopped by whatever means necessary.