| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Grassley on AIG execs: Quit or suicide |
| 2009-03-17 |
| This is such an appalling article. What is sauce for the goose ..... Now if politicians would only consider taking their own advice from time to time ......... Sadly politicians remain separate from the standards they seek to impose on everyone else. Come the revolution... Sen. Charles Grassley is so angry over AIG bonuses that he says the executives should resign or kill themselves. In a comment aired this afternoon on WMT, an Iowa radio station, Grassley (R-Iowa) said: "The first thing that would make me feel a little bit better towards them if they'd follow the Japanese model and come before the American people and take that deep bow and say I'm sorry, and then either do one of two things -- resign, or go commit suicide." The radio clip was also aired on WTOP, a news radio station in Washington. In response to a POLITICO inquiry, Grassley spokeswoman Jill Gerber clarified Grassley's comments, saying "clearly he was speaking rhetorically -- he meant there's no culture of shame and acceptance of responsibility for driving a company into the dirt in this country. If you asked him whether he really wants AIG executives to commit suicide, he'd say of course not." "Point being, U.S. corporate executives are unapologetic about running their companies adrift, accepting billions of tax dollars to help, and then spending those tax dollars on travel, huge bonuses, etc," Gerber said. Grassley's statement was the most over the top among the many expressions of outrage Monday, as the White House and Congress struggle to figure out how to recoup $165 million in bonuses from AIG, which has received more than $170 billion in federal bailout funds. "With millions of Americans out of work, staying up nights trying to figure out how to make this week's paycheck last until the next, wondering how they'll make the next mortgage payment or pay the overdue tuition bill, these executive bonuses are beyond outrageous," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined the chorus, saying the bonuses were "appalling." Trashing AIG has become a no brainer for campaigners. Jim Tedisco, a candidate in the special election for New York's 20th congressional district, says AIG "poster child for Wall Street greed" and wants a state investigation. Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.) went for a play on words, saying: "Clearly, the 'G' in AIG stands for greed. It is outrageous that taxpayers are subsidizing bonuses as much as $6.5 million at a time when working families are struggling to make ends meet." Nobody else has suggested hara kiri for AIG executives, and Grassley's spokeswoman tried to make clear the senator didn't really mean it. |
| Posted by:Omoter Speaking for Boskone7794 |
| #17 According to my professors AC, that's what students are for. |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2009-03-17 23:57 |
| #16 I still do field geology surveys Thanks for the explanation, Atomic Conspiracy. Clearly I'm not as clever today as I'd like. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-03-17 23:44 |
| #15 Ann Althouse's take on this gem: http://althouse.blogspot.com/2009/03/resign-or-go-commit-suicide-who-said.html |
| Posted by: mom 2009-03-17 22:27 |
| #14 Besides, you could be arrested for beating a mule but people would stand around and cheer if you beat a former fatcat. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2009-03-17 21:20 |
| #13 I think those cheap Chinese boots from Academy Sporting Goods would be adequate for starters. No need to spring for the Redwings until we know if they will work or jump. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2009-03-17 20:41 |
| #12 For example, TW, I still do field geology surveys but I am pushing 60 and rocks are heavy. I might be willing to give former executives a shot at a helper's position, what with mules and the like being both hard to find and expensive as well as stubborn. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2009-03-17 20:30 |
| #11 New non-banking job or jump, I sumrise. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2009-03-17 20:29 |
| #10 They can get a real job. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2009-03-17 20:18 |
| #9 A new pair of workboots? What's the implication of that, Atomic Conspiracy? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-03-17 19:45 |
| #8 Some time ago, I suggested that bonuses for failed executives be limited to a new pair of workboots and cab fare to the Brooklyn bridge. That way they would have two choices for doing the right thing. Maybe Grassley reads Rantburg? |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2009-03-17 19:35 |
| #7 Quote of the day, MM! |
| Posted by: Waldemar Slineth9550 2009-03-17 12:21 |
| #6 Come on. Put in a room with a gun and told to "do the right thing," most crooked pols would steal the bullets and try to sell the gun... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2009-03-17 12:13 |
| #5 I'm all for expanding this to congressmen that are found to be corrupt and have legal problems. Especially if it is public viewing and painful and messy as possible. Might cause some other congress critters to think twice about taking bribes. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2009-03-17 11:55 |
| #4 I agree w/him and would that expand that concept to congress as well, seeing as they are the enablers of bad behavior on the part of wall street. |
| Posted by: Andy Ulusoque aka Broadhead6 2009-03-17 09:55 |
| #3 "clearly he was speaking rhetorically" He might have been, but none of us are. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-03-17 09:18 |
| #2 It would have been the honorable thing to do. I'd have even chipped in for the sake. |
| Posted by: ed 2009-03-17 09:00 |
| #1 Twas the Ides of March recently, is it bad to remind Grassley that at least Roman Senators found that suicide was an appropriate ending as the case merited. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-03-17 08:35 |