[raybbr]

CEO compensation in some cases--failing companies, CEOs with golden parachutes--appear obscene. If that cash had gone into product development/refinement, or improved productivity, I suspect a lot of businesses no longer with us or operating overseas would still be here making profits and employing Americans.

You are correct. I have also made that point in other threads. I should have included in my original post.

Constantly skimming the profit off the top leaves a whole lot less for the actual corporation.

This was the reason my former employer closed: Taxation, regulation and NEVER putting any money back into the operation of the place. But. The top management still continued to pull down multi-million dollar bonuses.

[chickadee]

Executives giving themselves bonuses after laying off a significant portion of their work force is unconscionable. Giving failed CEO’s golden or even platinum parachutes is unspeakable.