AIG is doling out bonuses after receiving $170 billion in taxpayer funds. Did the government do enough to protect taxpayers in these bailouts?

Oh, you mean the gov't is supposed to PROTECT we taxpayers? I thought it was statutorily RAPE the taxpayers. I must have misunderstood.

According to Webster the definition of a bonus is “Extra payment over and above salary given to an employee as an incentive or reward.” With this definition and the company a complete failure, there is no reward, also if AIG had gone into bankruptcy there would not have been any bonuses. The payment should be denied as no one is qualified under that definition; unless they are rewarded for obtaining the mega billion dollar cash influx into AIG.

Expecting the BHO administration to protect taxpayers money is precisely like expecting a fox to guard the hen house!

Just one more example of the stupidity, corruption and just plain incompetence of government in general, the bloated federal government in particular. It doesn't matter which party is in power, neither has the interests of average Americans at heart. I'm more proud than ever to be a Libertarian. "The government that governs best, governs least".

Gee, now how could anyone think that handing over a blank check for BILLIONS of taxpayer money to the corrupt "leadership" of a failed bank NOT be in the best interest of the taxpayer? Hmmmmmm, let me count the billions of ways!

I don't think the government was so stupid as to think AIG executives would NOT give themselves huge bonuses using tax bailout money. Of course they knew. It's all an act. They were 'so surprised' that happenend. Give me a break.

Frank assails bonuses paid to executives at AIG House committee chairman rails against bonuses paid executives of financially-strapped AIG Monday March 16, 2009, 7:47 am EDT WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Barney Frank charged Monday that a decision by financially-strapped insurance giant AIG to pay millions in executive bonuses amounts to "rewarding incompetence." Article can be found here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Frank-assails-bonuses-paid-to-apf-14646988.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EVER HEAR THE ONE ABOUT 'THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK' ?

No, the government did not do enough to protect taxpayers' money. Nor can it because of the way TARP was created. In the hothouse atmosphere of a presidential election, a majority of Dems and a minority of Repubs formed a coalition to enact TARP. They did this to show to voters that they were doing something to avoid another Great Depression. There was little debate and critics were basically quashed, and, as a result, hundreds of billions in dollars were authorized by our Congress to give away to Wall Street with few strings attached and little guidance on what this money could be spent on. So Congress created this game and its rules (or the lack thereof). Don't hate the player --- hate the game, i.e. Congress. We're in a time when we need statesmen and visionaries. Instead, we got Nancy Pelosi and Barnie Frank.

By: Jaeger "We're in a time when we need statesmen and visionaries. Instead, we got Nancy Pelosi and Barnie Frank." ALSO Barack Hussein Obama AND HIS CABINET OF CLOWNS AND CROOKS!

How much of the bonus problems with AIG are due to international diplomacy? Did other government intervene to make sure they guys got their bonus? As in pas investigations: Who know what when? How much did congress know and when did they know it? Was Congress told the international connection was more important than American taxpayers?

I'm starting to hear the call to vote out Congressmand and Senators more than ever in my life. It's got to happen!

Frank assails bonuses paid to executives at AIG FTA In a letter to Geithner dated Saturday, Liddy said outside lawyers had informed the company that AIG had contractual obligations to make the bonus payments and could face lawsuits if it did not do so. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a way to screw things up and screw people out of their money, lawyers will find it!

Cloudyone "I don't think the government was so stupid . . ." ******* No offense, but you're not taking bets on that are you?

Ziggy You said: Obama is a Marxist right down to his lying socks. I just like pointing that out regardless of reference. It is who he is. He has trained his whole mind and spirit under Marxist professors and tutors. Although ALL of his poilcys may not be Marxist, Barry is a Max Adler, Saul Alinsky, Marxist. ========================= My what a compelling argument! I am really speechless. You don't care what his policies are, or what policies are implemented. He is a Marxist because you say so. QED. Wait - you must have studied the writings of Adler and Alinksy too since you are quick to quote them. Why aren't you a Marxist then -why haven't they influenced you too. In fact, you are the one quoting them daily here. YOU must be a secret Marxist -- protesting a bit too much. It is a great cover for you and your Marxist infiltration of this post -- conveninetly citing your Marxist gurus at every opportunity on the subterfuge of criticizing Obama, but still making sure that everyone gets to read Alinsky's writing in the process. Now you can't deny it because in denying it you only prove it further since we know all Marxists lie. Or, perhaps you have read them, and decided that their political philosophy is not for you. Perhaps others also have studied them and made the same decisions. Perhaps people like David Horowitz who was a Marxist acolyte in the 60s and later rejected it can give you some guidance on how people make up their own minds about their political views based on ALL their experiences and are not just automatic followers of a single teacher. Maybe three years at Harvard Law after Alinksy gave Obama other influences that more directly guide him today. No, that can't be because YOU say it isn't so, no matter what he says and does.

Ziggy One more point relevant to the question of the day. Marxists would have no problem in simply abrogating the contracts with the employees providing for bonuses, without regard to the law and Constitution. After all they don't believe in contracts and property rights. Summers and Bernanke said they would love to get rid of the bonuses but are unfortunately constrained by the fact that we are a nation of laws. Such a shame that they are not Marxists. At least your bonuses will be safe too.