That is a fear of mine, for personal reasons. My husband's company allows certain individuals in the company to get "bonus" checks four times a year.
In order to be part of that program, my hubby agreed to have his base salary reduced. Then he gets the bonus checks which are directly tied to the company profits. (Our last check was a little lower than past ones, due to the economy.) We have not seen a raise in his base pay since he signed up for that program, which has been years.
I am beginning to fear that the politicians (and then the public after the media gets them worked up) will begin equating all bonus programs with something evil --- and then hubby and I are screwed.
Some of these things the politicians have been saying about these people who got the bonuses have been simply outrageous. Then, the stuff that was being sent to AIG by the general public was frightening.
Something ugly is brewing out in the land, and the politicians would be wise to begin toning down their rhetoric, and fast.