The business news today is really down on Wall Street bonuses. What they don't realize that many persons working on Wall Street are paid only by their bonus money. You know sort of like real estate agents receiving commissions and being independent sub contractors. We are not salaried. I can see those persons getting paid, but not heads of Wall Street companies and banks lining their pockets for doing nothing. I think we can all agree to that no one should be enriched at the expense of others. That is why I feel, that Congress should do the same. They should set the right example of ethics by giving back monies they received from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. After all, Freddie Mac was back last week requested another 35 billion dollars. Congressman and senators should also turn over any lobbyist monies they are receiving or have already received while being representatives of the USA. Like Madhoff their families should not be being enriched with jobs, and favors in return for political favors. Now you know why 800 million dollars can be spent for a job that pays $400K a year. And while the chief executive says ..."No lobbyists allowed in my administration"...the small print under a magnifying glass says....
"It doens't apply to me!" Has anyone in DC ever thougth of governing by example?
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I agree. They all tell us to tighten our belts and save here and there, they can all do the same, especially since it is OUR money that is bailing them out and paying their salaries!!
Audrey June-Forshey, GRI, Gaithersburg, MD (RE/MAX Realty Group)I think what bothers me most is they come across so condescending to others, but take in the loot hand over fists for themselves. I thought chnage was coming? Was I wrong?
Nice post Jim . Ther are enough dirt bags to go round. Although one of the conservatives heads on cnbc said it best . This whole mess was caused by unchecked greed which brought down a world financial system
Charlie Ragonesi 706- 579-1098 (All Mountain Realty) Charlie, I can fully agree with that. The problem is that this can change at any time...they just choose not to.
Once the rhetoric ("words, just words") works its magic, it's business as usual. No change to see here, move along.
Susan Haughton Alexandria, VA REALTOR® (Long & Foster REALTORS® Old Town Alexandria) I totally agree. It is OK for them to rock the boat but no one else can question.
WOW Jim that will be the day when the experts of everything (Congress) lead by example.
Maybe Obama will really bring change to Washington and give up his "corporate jet" Air Force One. Somehow, I doubt it.
John Walters (7824 Real Estate of Louisiana John, I can hope can't I? LOL!
Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate (RE/MAX Allegiance) I doubt it also. One of the items in the new bailout was proposed by a Congresswoman doubling a Parks budget of 2 billion dollars. The catch? Her son is the head of it!
I believe lobbyist should not be able to give any money or value of any sort. Governing by example is not lucrative. All the local fat that has been proposed again in the new stimulus bill. Why can't this be done by need selected by safety issue for infra structure projects first and so on.
Richard
Richard Stabile Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor (REMAX real estate associates) I agree. The money and the paybacks are more important to them. After all no one in the United States is raising a stink about it. There are no marches on Washington yet, no tent cities on the Mall, the homeless and beggars have not yet become visible - and yet Congress is proposing bigger and more costly items meant only to enrich themselves.
Agreed. I think we should just get rid of all the lobbyists. Senators are elected to serve the people why the heck they need somebody relay what voters want?
Huiting Zhuang,Sell your business overseas (ReMax Post Road Realty) I agree fully. Lobbyists are not lobbying for what the voters want...
Well said, and when it comes down to it, you are absolutely correct. It all starts with leading by example! Just like you do when you are a parent, or should do when you are a parent!
Michael Klijanowicz - Relocation Specialist - Baltimore & Harford County (Baltimore & Harford County Maryland - Long and Foster ) It is amazing the folks in Congress seem to be above being shamed to do the right thing. I would love to see more investigations by the FBI, and Justice Department perhaps that would start changing their ways.
Jim - Has anyone in DC ever thought of governing by example? I think they SET the example. Why aren't more reporters investigating and having a field day with it? Sooner or later cheaters do get caught!
Carol Culkin (Houlihan Lawrence Realty What irks me is the bias in the press. The most obvious abusers get thrown in jail. Persons like Martha Stewart they throw the book at her. Guys get a pass. Do you suppose there is some gender bias here? Guys get away with it, and they prosecute women?
Think of what her dollar amount is....then we get guys in charge of big mortgage companies, Ponzi schemes...and they get the country club treatment.
We will ultimately be judged on did we deliver the goods or just talk about a goal that was never reached? I think your previous post said it all for this one as well! Why should we expect less of the people we vote for than we do of ourselves?
Congress will do this when Hell Freezes over... Let me call Al Gore, he may be able to tell us when that will happen! lol!!!
your friend in Charlottesville!
Charles McDonald
Jen Olson (First Weber Group Realtors) They will reach their own political goals and screw the ideals of the nation forever. On top of that they will steal trillions from the taxpayers.
Charles McDonald / Your Trusted Broker for Charlottesville Real Estate (RE/MAX Assured Property) Yes..I know he has got a hand in the pot for money also with his "Carbon Credits!"