Subscribers toASI’s E-Newsletter may have noticed the addition of a weekly survey to the news features section. Here we present the results of the Oct. 27 E-News survey.

What do you think about the the Obama administration's plan to order companies that received extraordinary bailout assistance last year to sharply cut the compensation of their highest paid executives - in some cases by as much as 90%?

Go for it.  It’s our money, and it should not be used for compensation/bonuses: 45.161%

Good idea, but it’s like closing the barn door after the horse has left: 34.409%

Bad idea. Those execs will leave the companies helmless.  Who will that help?: 20.430%

Comments:

“Increasing regulation on the private sector is exactly what happened in the 1930s, and that didn't turn out well.”  

“What else will the government dictate?  This is tyranny.”

“I just don't understand how they can get huge bonuses when the companies did so poorly that they needed the help. I know I wouldn't get a bonus if I didn't have a good year. Oh yeah: I'm not (getting a bonus) this year. Hmmm.”

“Not all these companies chose to get a loan. If they chose to be bailed out and it was a stipulation of the loan, then yes. Otherwise, the government is changing the rules of the game, and that is not right.”

“Will a few hundred thousand dollars prevent future recessionary elements? No. Better to close the loopholes in financing systems and speculative businesses.”

“Since these companies took the money, they deserve government restraints. They should never have sold their souls to the federal government.”

“Compensation issues should have been addressed prior to receiving the bailouts.”

“Have Congress take a 90% pay cut. They are the problem!”

“Many smaller companies were forced to layoff workers, cut salaries, or do both in order to still be profitable. When times are good, many companies share the rewards with their employees. When times are bad, the employees suffer just like the company. Taking bailout money because your company is threatening to go under and then paying huge bonuses to the executives is just plain WRONG. If they have that much money left over from the bailout or are doing that much better, maybe they should pay the government back the money they STOLE. (They obviously didn't need it, right?) Give it back to the taxpayers!”