Rick you were talking about American Idol and Top Model and people are more interested in them than what is happening around them. This is not a new thing. The Roman government used the same pabla back 1.500 years ago. It was called Bread and Circuses and this kept the population busy while the empire fell.

AIG Contracts – Bonus Payments. We keep hearing these contracts can not be broken. Any chance you can guest a contract expert to explain why this might be so?

We make the automakers grovel for help and throw money at the banks and the automakers have American workers and American families that are dependant on heelp.

Regarding AIG, it is absurd what they are doing. I work for the Ford Motor Company and we ,at the UAW, had to renegotiate our contract and make major concessions. This had to be done before our companies could receive any government money. Why shouldn't these people at AIG be forced to do the same.

John Kennedy once said to a assembled group of scholars in the White House, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House – with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

Very Interesting Quote:

In light of the present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

Banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.

Does this sound eerily familiar.

why do people think they are better then others.... they put there pants on the same as everyone else.. n o one is better then another.. those rich people need to get spanked hard with everything we have madoff and others... you deserve what you get............ you do wrong you should be accountable............. !!!!

AIG says that this bonus payout is part of a contract. However, if the government did not bail them out and let AIG fail, then there would NO money to payout the bonuses.

I think once government gave money out to AIG – all contracts were null and void.

Not that I am a big AIG fan or anything, but are you making sure to clarify that the gov't couldn't do anything to stop AIG from handing out its bonuses? It was written in the contracts from 2008, before any of this happened. Even the gov't doesn't have the power to rip up a legally binding contract. But, at least they're doing something – Geitner is giving those that received major bonuses salaries of only $1 for 09

The contracts from AGI to the employees must be scrutinized.
time conditions, percentages that trigger bonus's, If a specific amount
has been figured out, what is the formula used? Do they have to reach certain plateaus of sales to earn what? Any contract can be broken if the letter of the contract is not reached. I suspect these are not contracts but pledges of additional income that could be earned
in the annual course of business. And the fact that specific amounts per individual have been reached, shows there is a numerical formula
available. and lastly, nationolize the company. Let them all go to hell.

Rick
I think Chaney committed treason this weekend, stating the US is less safe. To me this is inviting Terrorism (It's like telling a potential enemy, I no longer have a weapon, come on down

I am wondering why the washington press corp did not follow up on Chenys comment on Chris Dodd and Barney Frank. They did fight reform on Freddi mac and Fanny May along with Maxine Walters. They are on tape saying there was nothing wrong with Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac. Too dismiss Cheneys comment and laugh along with the current adminstrations flippant response is more proof on how the press in this country is worthless in protecting the people. They are not supposed to be anyones buddies Republican or Democrat. If Bush Cheney really did try and get reforms the press in this country would not have given them a fair shake and we the people would have been misinformed. The truth is Some republicans went along with Chris Dodd and Barney Frank fighting the Bush adminstrations reform of Fannie May and Freedie Mac and since Bush was so unpopular (constant bad press) he could not keep his own party in line.

We have found out the hardway what happens when a President is so unpopular his own party can ignore him.

AIG--Rick you are #1 don't stop doing what you do. I think it is a disgrace that among the number of elected officials we have "watching " our back, not one "smart" person thought to ask about the AIG bonus program. Are they busy trying to look the part, all playing to the cameras and micrphones too much? NEXT ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sen. and Rep.???????????? Pres. Obama cannot do everything.

isn't it possible this is mid to upper level sales people, who contractually, are owed this money? Is it also possible these people actually "made" money for AIG? Is it possible these people, if not paid will, leave AIG, and cost AIG, way more than the 1/10 0f 1%, the bonuses represent? More importantly, why didn't you bring up this possibility.

OK! Here's the bottom line...........

As a part owner ( 80% owned by tax payers} of AIG . I suggest we

........Block each bonus that is owed to each executive!!

Let them sue us!!!! Take them to court each and every greedy individual....broadcast a picture of each person receiving a bonus!!!

Lets see their reaction.......
Also lay off everyone involved with the scandal losing money

David Montalbano
Moss Landing ca

IF people in AIG have contracts that require them to be paid bonuses, then they have to be paid their bonuses. But IF these are the same people who destroyed the company, and the taxpayers are now having to cobble it back together to the extent that we now own 80% of AIG, then I suggest that as the majority owners, and in order to keep from violating their contracts by not paying them their bonuses, we just fire them. Good employees may be hard to come by, but bums are a dime a dozen. And a dime is all they are worth.

Why isn't anyone talking about reforming the consumer credit reporting system – FICO. FICO is not predictive, does not reflect assets or income, and a very bad indicator of creditworthiness. Banks use FICO to justify loans to consumers with perfect credit, but no assets and no income. FICO is yet another example of privatization gone awry and/or inadequate legislation. We have to remember that most people working at banks and in brokerages are not educated, do not fully understand what they are selling, and are simply following instructions. If the instructions are bad, then the decisions those people make will be bad.

Instead of bailing out greedy companies that continue to use money so recklessly, such as A.I.G. why not bail out the American people by paying or partially forgiving debts like: home loan/mortgages, student loans, car loans, etc. America has become a for-profit organization, and has forgotten about the values on which the country was built.

I have a problem with the professor's comment concerning some of the people who might of taken out a subprime loan. He thought one reason they took out a bad mortgage might be because they were ignorant. Today's mortgage contracts are quite dedious and full of legal jargon half of our nations adults cannot understand. Isn't that why brokers are hired and why haven't we seen any more news concerning mortgage brokers who were in act on behalf of their clients and instead acted more on their own behalf? What changes or reforms do we need concerning broker standards? Have any fines or punishments been levied due do to the lack of standards? Would AIG still be a viable corpation without our intervention and is a contract voidable if the fulfillment of it would cause harm to the issuer?

If the government owns more than 50% of AIG's stock, then the President should fire all the people receiving a bonus, plus all the senior management. They should also block any of the individuals fired from gaining employment with any othe company receiving any bail-out money. If a license is required for the individuals to work in their chosen profession, then the government should revoke the license, thereby blocking any further employment in that field. So, let the individual decide, "do I want a bonus or do I want to continue with gainful employment in my chosen field".

The economic problems we face today are all attributable to the dominance of corporate power and influence here and abroad and can be overcome by revoking corporate charters at the state level in whatever state a corporation was founded. All we need is the public awareness and pressure on state government to enforce these procedures.

let these corporate bums get taxed heavy for past, present & future crimes with jail time to boot.....

Hi Rick:please find out how much AIG is paying out on endorsement's to Manchester United soccer club in England?There is an other waste of money.The news AIG is creating with there own criminal actions on million dollar's pay outs, there is no need for advertisment. Thanks Peter

If someone in Government is SERIOUS about turning the economy around. If they want to restart the economy TODAY. Then here is the plan: The Fed must bypass the banking system (which is broken) and make 30 year fixed loans at 3%. Oh, and make them assumable. Oh, and make them available to anyone with a job (small job...small home loan). People would jump all over this. Home sales would soar. Personal wealth would soar. Existing home owners with a mortgage would have extra CASH to buy STUFF since they refinanced at 3%. First time homebuyers would flood the market driving up home sales. Existing home owners with no mortgage would (about 30% of homes) would re-mortgage their home to borrow this cheap (low interest) opportunity. All that money would flow into buying more "sfuff" ( cars, trucks, boats, clothes, etc.) The Government would have Real Estate backing the loan. Since the loans are "assumable" there won't be foreclusures since anyone would love to pick up a 30 year 3% Government back load. Economy is about money flowing. This is the way to get trillions flowing instantly, but it means giving a good deal to the American People instead of Big Business. The wealth of our nation should be based on the wealth of the people. This plan gives Americans affordability and availability to their greatest wealth asset...an American HOME. American real estate is a safe thing for the Governement to loan money on, by doing this a 3% it will "partner" will the middle class whose wealth and financial stability will soar. As a result the economy will recover...overnight. Lets's not think of reasons why this can't be done. Let's find reasons why it can be done. This is the fastest and safest way to restore the economy.

Where is AIG going to get $$$ for bonus?
The American public do NOT have contracts with AIG executives

Rick I believe when it comes to these bonus these CEOs have not earned this money. I do know it will definetly be impossible to stop them from being paid but here's an idea why don't we take this $165 million back from AIG though the tarp money we have given them I'm sure this will deter outrageous bonus any further. What do you think Rick?

Rick, I as a young person I am conflicted about granting Dick Cheney a public forum. Of course I am a proponent of free speech, and I think Cheney has as much of a right as anyone else. However, his political ideology has jeopardized the lives and economic future of my generation. To me, this man represents greed, arrogance, corruption and dishonesty; he has embraced war profiteering, the subversion and politicization of justice, and perversion of American ideals (what happened to avoiding foreign entanglements, Constitutional rights, human rights). I am ashamed that a reputable organization has given a pulpit to such a loathsome individual, and hope that this does not give credence to his policies.

Rick, GREAT SHOW!!!!!!! ALWAYS GOOD TO SURROUND YOURSELF
WTH THE FUTURE OF AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!BUT!!!!!!!!!! YOU HAD TO MESS
UP THE SHOW BRINGING AMY HOLMES ON??????? HER CAPITOL
HILL TIME WAS SPENT WITH DR. FRIST AND NO DOUBT, THE
HAMMER, TOM DELAY BOTH WHO LEFT OFFICE EARLY??????
HIDING SOMETHING????????HER VIEWS ARE SO BRAINWASHED
THAT THE ONLY GOOD AND FORWARD THINKING THING I HAVE
HEARD FROM HER ON CNN; WAS WHEN SHE SAID HER BROTHER
WENT TO MORGAN STATE.............

REMEMBER THE YORKTOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Rick
Really enjoy you insights. Two things those "contracts" are red harrings to get out of returning the money. the Gov own 80% of such AIG contracts and I bet any of us would like a contract that gives us millions of dollars, ha. Secondly if the bail out would not have been paid could they have so honered the contracts in the first place?, since they were going broke it is unlikely!
Second and
Now my big point.
Maddoff's makeoff.....could youi give some thought to this observation...it seems obvious to follow his "money" ..where is the money?....his ATTORNEY has told him to "CLAM UP" I will get you out of this later...take your medicine and abuse now from everybody ...keep quiet and get sentenced to whatever years ,150?...sounds tough...then we and the victims will forget him soon. This rich man will pay his now "rich attorney and getting richer "...well to re-open his case and get him out for good behavior in 1 to 5 years. He is then off to the Swiss Banks or the mattress, or back yard, for the big dollars. This is a lot like like the outlaws of the old west go to where the gold is hidden after jail time and live happily ever after. His famous "smirk" is laughter at all of us . Yours George

My wife and I caught your broadcast at which much outrage was directed at AIG, and much disgust at Mr. Cheney for his assertion that the Bush administration wasn't wholly responsible for the economic mess we are in.
At the risk of probable life and limb, I suggest Mr. Cheney was correct. Your attention is directed to the September 30, 1999 NY Times financial page under the byline of Stephen Holmes, noting that the Clinton administration was pressuring fanny mae and freddie mac to make subprime loans, and the consequences of doing so in bad economic times, including bank bailouts. Further, you mentioned the repeal of the Glass-Stegal act, which then president Clinton signed in 1999. What I didn't hear was any talk of Alan Greenspan, or his deputies (Geitner, Rubin and Summers), all of whom are in the Obama administration now. They have as much culpability as any.
If you are interested in a scandal, check out the demise of the "uptick rule", which basically said when a stock started to drop it had to tick up a bit before the short sellers could buy. The SEC repealed this, meaning the traders now see a stock drop and pile on with short positions, driving the stocks way down and their profits way up. Why was that repealed?
Finally, I also suggest you look into a company called PennyMac, an acronym for Private National Mortgage Acceptance Corp. This was started by the former executives of Countrywide Financial, and its model is to purchase distressed mortgages for pennies on the dollar then sell them to the Government under one of the bailouts.Thus the taxpayers are subsidizing the very company that got the homeowners in trouble. Countrywide, incidentally, just settled a consumer fraud suit with 10 states for around 8.6 billion (California Bar Journal), and I wonder who paid that?

Hey Rick I watch the news practically all day long. I just cannot believe that AIG is going to get by with this again. The dow was up almost all day just until the briefing with Gibbs. I know that the president said he was going to try and stop the bonuses, but what I would like to know why can't he just fire all the CEO's and start all over. Just my opinion.

Let's not blame all of this on the Republicans! I will try and summarize an article I read in the Miami Herald (Readers Forum) on October 13, 2008, by John A. Lanzetta, Attorney, Mellon Financial Center, Miami. It hit the "Nail on the Head!" In the 1970's Jimmy Carter started off with his financial deregulation and the Community Reinvestment Act which pressured banks to make loans to those who were unbankable. Bill Clinton also sent a lot of jobs out of the country with NAFTA. In the 1990's Bill Clinton also pushed for further financial deregulation and for more Community Reinvestment Act loans to unqualified borrowers. Clinton then sent Budget Director Frank Haines to head Fannie Mae and encourage lending to anyone who wanted a home. Fannie Mae's vice chairman, Democrat Jamie Goerlick, defended these loans in interviews. Their false accounting hid troubled loans...Haines and other Democratic Fannie principals were fined $3M, of the well over $l00M the principals took in compensation before resigning. Haines was also the economic advisor to Barack Obama when he was running for office.

With the Federal Reserve's downward force on Market Interest rates, the number of mortgage loans to unqualified borrowers catapulted. Banks, worried about the risks that the Democrats had made on them, began hiding risky loans with good loans in complicated security instruments such as "default swaps." These instruments were then moved here and abroad, spreading the ruination. Fannie and Freddie comprised half of the entire US $12 Trillion mortgage market. The Bush Administration, since 2000, tried numerous times to install enforceable oversight over the risky loans Fannie and Freddie were making. The Democrats shut down their every attempt.

Alarmed by Alan Greenspan's warning in 2006, that these loans were the beginning of a financial fiasco as well as taxpayer exposure of dramatic proportions, Sen John McCain sounded the alarm to the Senate, introducing legislation to rein in these loans and prevent an economic disaster. Democrat Rep. Barney Frank, along with other Democrats on his Financial Services Committee, voted against such oversight, stating that he saw no financial problems and yet criticized those who would sound the alarm, which included Alan Greenspan.

The Press and Media still have not informed the public of the facts, or the players involved, and put the blame where it should lie.

I found Mr. John A.. Lanzetta's comments "right on target!" If you would like a copy of this article, please respond with your E-Mail address and I will forward you a copy! ! It was a very enlightening article!

Thank you for your time!

@Peter M Fotinos: while Congress may not have endorsed the Bush administration's reforms for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, you can not blame the media. After all, starting in 2003, Bush was constantly touting the "ownership society," which was largely fueled by cheap loans from Fannie and Freddie. Congress helped keep the tap flowing, but it was Bush and Cheney's lack of oversight, regulation and failure to do anything about mortgage backed securities that ultimately trashed the econoymy.

"We're creating... an ownership society in this country, where more Americans than ever will be able to open up their door where they live and say, welcome to my house, welcome to my piece of property. – President George W. Bush, October 2004

Re the latest on the AIG bonus packages: Perhaps the names of executives and the amount of their bonuses should be released to the public. Some enterprising folks at CNN should be able to track that information down. Just a thought.

Never should of bailed them out. Some argue we must to save the economy. We have already given billions and the economy is worse. How much we could of saved if we didn't bail out anyone? I'm thinking that money could be used to stimulate the economy and create jobs instead of throwing it into a black hole and expecting something other then OUR money being swallowed up, to happen.

Where's my bailout? Where's the bailout for small business?

Ah... screw it, I'm packing up my money and headed to Cocomo. Who's with me??!!

I woudl guess that the majority of those who still favor deregulation of the banking industry are well versed in economics and or finance. So assuming that they understand the logic behind Adam Smith & John Nash, would those same people favor deregulation of infrastructure and building codes. Is it realistic to assume that a society can maximize its efficiency and effectiveness if we all had to become experts in financial instruments and building codes and everything else. Regulation exist to protect people from mediocure people who occasionally hide behind marketed/branded Institutions that insure pedigree and a promise to deliver on their product or obstrument. Regulation helps free people to excell in their chosen field of expertise. The used car sales people at AIG who got wasted during the regulation prohibition need to remove their heads from their asses. Maybe we should sell them knock-off Benzes, Beemers, and disk-breaks.

Rick,

Majority of common Americans are good people. They lack education about critical matters such as economy. Same thing can be said about our knowledge of the cultures and world outside of the US.

We as Americans have relied too much on our politicians and Corporate leaders to "just take care of things." We have a tendency to take everything at face value and so we trusted what we were told.

You are doing a great service to the people of this nation by making such platforms available for common folks to be heard. What Jon Stewart did last week was amazing and I love him for it. We need more of such straight talk.

I have not heard of corporate bonuses of any kind other than "Performance" Who wrote these contracts?

Don't these so called corporate leaders and Wall Street pimps realize that their greed has wiped out people's hard earned money and has put a permanent dent on people's lives? It has hit a bad nerve.

There is going to be a rebellion, there is going to be a grass-roots revolution and it is not going to be pretty. People have had it and they are going to do something about it. Specially in the way individuals deal with their banks, mortgage and insurance companies.

People, take America back from your greedy politicians and Capitalist pigs.

Where's Murph?

DID BERNIE MADOFF CHEAT THE CHEATERS
Where did the people who invested their money with Bernie Madoff get it? Was it money they paid taxes
on, or was it money they skimed of the top that they paid no taxes on and needed someone to invest it for
them? Bernie Madoff isn't the first person to take peoples money that they did not pay taxes on. What about
businesses that take only cash and doctors who take part cash and never pay taxes? All of these kinds
look for people like Bernie Madoff to invest their money that they didn't pay taxes on. Did the cheats get cheated?
I'm not saying they did, but would they like for the IRS to look at their books to see where the money came from? Jim Carroll internetfreepress.com

I realize you don't follow individual company going on, but this one is really a global issue. Hewlett Packard (HP) bought EDS back in September 2008. Since then they have as was expected cut back and gotten rid of thousands of jobs. No problem.... Here is the kicker recently Feb.18 HP corporate announce a company wide 2.5 – 20% pay reduction for all employees... a sign of the times correct. Friday March 13th @ 4:15 cst they announced HP/EDS US and Puerto Rico employees will incur an additional 10% reduction. For a one month span of time with review process to follow. Please Please... check out the following link ((edited))
If its possible this is really a story. The employees are starting to talk UNION. Mostly because the CEO Mark Hurd took a 42 Million bonus last quarter on the backs of the very people would made it possible. Second because across the great blue sea other countries laws don't allow someone to change your compensation just willy nilly. Please THIS IS A STORY

Democrats Barney Frank and Chris Dodd are escaping blame for their part in the economic mess along with Republican Chris Dodd. Frank and Dodd fought control requested by Republicans and made sure the oversight was minimal while taking money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. You advocate greater regulation and yet you don't mention their major roles in this mess. Cox was just as blind as you can be by not monitoring them and he was warned of Madoff years ago and failed to act. Stop making this a hate Republican issue and let's take on all that are to blame. You sound like the talking head for the Dems. My concern is that Pelosi and Reid will use it as an opportunity to go with major uncontrolled and wasteful spending and Obama will just let them. Fight for America, not a political party. The right direction is not Republican or Democrat, it lies somewhere in between. Working Americans are concerned!!!

So that's what a credit default swap is!!

Why is it that there are Americans who think it's possible to "quarantine" bad assets? As former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neil said on Fareed Zakaria GPS Sunday. ?

The cdswap had to be at least in part devised to circumvent measures like what Mr. O'Neil described, as well as to guard against things like re-evaluating the credit ratings of lending instutitions based on the bad-asset load. Mr. O'Neil and people like him HUGELY want to stigmatise only some of the lending institutions involved. They're STILL nagging on and on about Freddie Mae and Fanny Mac!

How do they NOT see that their efforts have always been class warfare? Mr. O'Neil continues to 'not get' the situation. And Americans will continue to be inundated by comments and opinions from the same people who created the mess in the first place.

In a financial system where class inequities are built-in to the relations between lending institutions and debtors through, among other things, the actuarial data that represents the "risk" assumed by lending institutions, it is unconscionable but very easy to blame one very visible group of institutions. It isnt going to help America to spread the stigma to AIG: all you'll accomplish is to make it more difficult for international businesses to trust American companies.

And the conservative's talk about regulating the FM's way back when is useless but incendiary rhetoric. The issue now is an anticipated 40% foreclosure rate. The issue now is anticipated inequities in renegotiating the inflated mortgages. If people keep looking back, they're gonna miss the new problems.

Financial risk is still coloured in the US. Actuarial data encodes the social inequities in ways that African-Americans have to personally pay for. Black men live shorter lives than white men, on average. Black women are more likely to suffer severe or disabling diseases in their old age than are white women, on average. So loans and mortgages cost more for black couples and families. Even if an African-American makes it big, the aggregate data is against him or her. And of course the disparities in life expencancy and life chances are a direct result in the disparities in health care and social services for the rich and poor in America.

I bet the American people started paying higher insurance costs for the White House as soon as the Obama's moved in.

The UAW may have made concessions, but to ask the Government to bail-out their pension funds with our money while the rest of us have 401ks that have sucked wind and are have lost half their value. What is wrong with the UAW getting stock instead of money – afterall it is their company and then maybe they will make decisions to help make GM successful.

Monday's guest used JAMES Stewart's bank movie to argue in favour of the AIG bailout/bonus scandal. I believe that the spirit of the movie would have these ceos would forgive their bonuses to further the betterment of the company (their jobs), the share holders, and the customers.

Dear Rick,
I'm writing you from Louisiana. We are fighting to get jobs down here, You have the Corps of Engineers granting companies from out of our state jobs when we have small bussinesses out here that can't get a piece of the pie we did a rally today and we're nneding help to let the government know that we have people right here in our state that has the truck's to cary dirt to the levees. We don't want the whole contract we just want a piece of the pie. We to have families to feed. the money that the Federal Government gives to Louisiana doesn't stay here as soon as these companies get paid the money leaves louisiana to go to their house hold in other states. One more thing and please address this. We have Veterans that fought for our Country so that you and i can slep in peace. Men and women that put their lives on the line, took an oath to protect this Great Country from all enemies both foriegn and domestic that now own's their own company but doesn't have the finances to really get it started. Why aren't there ant grants for veterans. You have grants for non-profit organizations but nothing for the men and women who fought bravely for you and i. I would like to know i am asking for a friend who is a veteran looking for someone to lend a helping hand to let him live his AMERICAN DREAM. It is only his due and every Veteran that fough for this great Country

How these regulated entities such banks and insurance companies, and their staff (CPAs, Lawyers, MBAs...that are subject to ethical values and strict professional standards) were so dump to think that unregulated risky financial instruments (credit default swap) were a safe bet to make money?

I hope that any investigation is done to AIG and uncovers criminal acts or at least find professional code or standard of conduct violations. These lawyers, CPAs, MBAs, PHDs should be remove from their positions, diplomas and certifications. ...

CNN seems determined to make the economic situation even worse than it is by sensational reporting on the downside.
The struggling economy is not a story that should be exploited.
Could we have some balanced reporting please, such as covering more of what people are doing to build for the future? There are a lot of us working very hard for a better future and it is disheartening to hear over and over again that "it's not only bad, it's going to get worse." Well, fine,
but repetition doesn't make the pill any better - we need to have a positive attitude to get to a better economy. So, let's see some of what is being done to turn the ship around...there is a lot more than is being reported and it makes interesting news.
CNN is getting to be depressing and boring..

Rick, in the midst of this AIG uproar an even more concerning issue is that Freddie Mac executives are also receiving bonuses this year. Let's just say they were relieved when AIG's bonuses made the headlines and not theirs. Somebody at CNN should place a call to Fast Freddie and ask them what is up.

Endowed with democracy, an individual bill of rights, and the flexible economic,ethical, and political system of MIXTURISM, THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WHICH PEOPLE CANNOT SOLVE.

DON’T SHAME THEM FIRE THEM
FIRE THE TOP MANAGEMENT OF AIG
Since the Government now owns 80% of Aig, why not call a
stockholders meeting and fire all the top management?
JIM CARROLL

u have come along way from channel 7 in miami. will i think thatt american citizens should stand up.. hire lawyers to sue AIG CEO's for amount that they took from us and give back to the citizen of this great nation.. not the government.. but a private firm to distribute the amnts back to us ....

If these AIG executives legally have to receive their bonuses, the IRS should be all over these people with a fine tooth comb. No further money should be given to AIG. The government has publicly announced that they can not let AIG fail and may not be able to stop the executives from receiving bonueses so who has the power. It is sad that they have more power than the President and obvioulsy know it with their actions. AIG know they're untouchable and are using it to their advantage. I feel no other banks should be bailed out. and should be informed that AIG has ruined it for them perhaps the other banks will try to put pressure on AIG.

If the AIG executives insist on taking these huge bonuses, the bonuses should be relabeled "severance pay"

Upset with AIG 165m reward? Why not look into large block selling on AIG, CITI shares in the market when they where peaking in high value. You might find an upsetting surprise in who LEGALLY took BIG profits on our 401K pension funds and savings, possibly world wide. Is the Stock Market really legal or a legal financial conspiracy for Wall Street and Insiders ? I am not sure Main Street stands a chance if there is any truth to this possibility. Are You ?

Like these are the "Best and Brightest" minds in America? Going to a College exposes the camera to the most outspoken people most likely to attend a kegger or sing "I love College." Do something crazy...talk to CNN stoned? Where's the common sense? Insurance fraud is "Only a crime if you get caught." They got caught so in the words of Seinfeld's Soup Nazi, "No bonus for you!" What are you going to do "Sue me?"

Why blame the President or White House for the mishaps in Vegas? Who do people think that they are demanding an apology from the President? That's outrageous! Treason if you ask me. Those scoundrels that went to Vegas with bailout money were caught and those that are detouring to other places, that are just as dirty, will be brought down too. The party is OVER!!!! Corruption in the United States....I don't know what has happened to us.....Get ready. There's a new sheriff in town......Love your show Rick!

Could someone please tell me what would have happened to the AIG bonuses if AIG had gone bankrupt? I am guessing these guys wouldn't have been getting their payments!

All of this is crazy. I am a single mom with a 5 year old child. I am recently divorced and was a stay at home mom. My ex let our home be foreclosed on and my car repo'ed. I took care of our child and his two daughters. He left me with nothing. I started my own business and was doing ok until last year when everything went nuts and I lost everything. I am now filing bankruptcy, I kept all my receipts and was honest on taxes and yet I get nothing back even though I am in the negative over $17,000 as a small business owner, I have sent out over 300 resumes with only two interviews, I have no health insurance and there seems to be no end to all the bad news. I have worked since I was 15 and now at 39 I have nothing and I worry about taking care of my son. What can I do??

AIG Exec's have contracts for bonus. Pay them in AIG stock at the value of the stock prior to its plunge. If they are paid in worthless stock maybe they will do something to earn their keep.

American tax payers own more than 50% of AIG. I think we should demand a proxy vote, choose a new board, and replace the top executives. We should be able to express our outrage of the bonuses by firing those in charge.

I'm disappointed with the current leadership in regards to them having a clue how much it costs to live day to day. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words and the current government giving taxpayers $13 more a week and giving AIG huge amounts speaks who is more important. AIG and all the other banks are. It's not enough that people have lost jobs, are losing homes, and have lost hugh amounts in their retirements. If I had known President O'Bama thought $13 more a week would help, I would have reconsidered my vote, but I was very frustrated with the Republican party and felt the Democrats really understood what it takes to make it. Obviously, I was wrong. President O'Bama and others use the reason to bail out AIG is we can't make allow them to fail, but did President O'Bama give any reason why $13 was all he could give the everyday person. No! Maybe the government doesn't want people to be more financially independent.

Being we own 80% of AIG. Why don't we purchase the remaining 20% and so we can put an end to this bottomless money pit.
Gary Bradenton Florida

Rick,

These animals from AIG, are taking tax money from individuals who are now unemployed and in the worst cases are living in tents in cities around our great nation. How can the govt. and/or these executives live with themselves by giving bonuses while the rest of us barely get by?

Why are we outraged? We live in a country where politicians REWARD CEO's for failed policies. I think we need to LET THESE failing insurance companies and banks FAIL. FAILURE IS AN OPTION folks! Instead of handing them over BILLIONS of our tax dollars why not use that money to pay off the consumers who are damaged by these idiots? It's no wonder our politicians pander to these thieves, they've contributed BILLIONS to their political campaigns. LET THEM FAIL. Ditto for the Auto industry, instead of bailing out failing auto companies give that money to small start ups like TESLA MOTORS....let's get the electric car business going and give the jobs that autoworkers lose to the big three to these new startups!

I was listening to national public radio news and they stated that congress continues to bail out AIG because it secures their pensions! This is why they're not ending this bailout and bonus outrage!

One should not be outraged over AIG's practice. Those who are insured, have investments, or other financial dealings should cease association immediately. Since money is the only thing they (AIG) understand.

Regarding AIG – even tho' the people who received the "big payouts" again had previous contracts, what about all of the people who lost money that thought they had a contract that would be honored? I think the Govt. should withhold any future payouts to AIG until some solid document can be prepared where they cannot find any more "loops" to pay out these outrageous amounts of money. No one is giving us, the taxpayers, or the people losing their homes, jobs, etc. any real breaks & yet the money just "flows" to these AIG people and others like this. IT MUST BE STOPPED!!! Not only is the amount of debt we have killing us, helping the Banking industry that keeps paying out these large bonus', just depresses the taxpayers more! What about the way the automotive industry was treated??? Why can't we treat the banking industry the same way??? It would be terrible to lose our auto industry – but apparently they aren't in the "pockets" of enough of our Congressmen to help them like the Bankers!!!! Please keep up the good work you & all of the CNN people are doing to bring up these things so maybe someone (hopefully OBAMA) will find a way to stop them! Thank you. Betty Pierson

If we cannot break those contractual obligations as they have stated. Could we as majority shareholders. as we have been told. 80%. could we request an emegency Board Meeting, and by obtaining the proper proxies via a website thru the Internet. Fire the CEO and replace the Board of AIG?

Rick – Good shows on the AIG and Bailout Times! While AIG, Federal Agencies, Wall Street were all guilty in bringing on these terrible economic times – equally guilty were members of Congress who took AIG and other bank monies and rewrote rules and laws to make it easier to get rich quick on Wall Street, in DC or other lower-ethics neighborhoods. Get a complete list with $$ of Congress people with their hands out , including those serving in Administrations. Put this out prominently on CNN websites and get it in the news – interview some of the worst culprits and hypocrites. Ask their voters back home why they elect them?

Thanks, Mike in Kerrville, TX

I think we will have a less conversant country without the newspapers who give us the fodder to open our mouths and have a conversation. I remember when I was in the broadcast business, I did not feelo safe going on the air unless I had read 2 or 2 dailies first.

if we lose our newspapers, do we lose the FREEDOM OF THE PRESS?

I agree Senetor's view on regarding AIG... More govornance is required in these company... and if senior management is not smart enough to understand the health of the company then govornment should.

Hey Rick...Senator Grassley has some Japanese culture suggestions for AIG exec's . I wonder if he has heard about the situation in China when GOVERNMENT officials fail in their job... I hear that they are executed....what do you think about the Chinese version Senator Grassley ??

hi rick, so madoff stole billions. how much does he owe in taxes? has anybody checked that?

Rick:Free market capitalism if regulated would be socialism to the republican party.

Rick,
I don't agree with the AIG bonuses; but why is everyone so upset? What else can we expect to happen when sociopaths are allowed to run the government and make the rules for the financial institutions?

We need to completely change the model. NO more bailout funds going into the "trickle-down" economy. The guys at the top (bankers, insurers, CEOs) failed and ripped us off. ALL bailout funds should go to working people and tax payers at the base. Use the funds to pay off credit card debts, mortgages (from the French for "death-pledges") auto loans. The banks will get the money in the end anyway. But "we the people" will be relieved of our debts, be able to save, and money will flow in the economy again. We pay the taxes. We should get the benefits.

Rick,
CBS reported this morning $40 billion more will be given to AIG by taxpayers. There was also talk that the payment be made, less $165 million! I'm so gosh darn mad at our gov't! If we give them one more red cent–so help me! How can we keep rewarding bad behavior?

oh my yes, we must punish the AIG Execs...we have been rosbed enough. Tax those bonuses at 100%

We still haven't finished, I just heard that they still need to have 200mil to finish payment of all the bonuses.

Dear Rick, I think you should really spotlight the congresspeople who don't want us to tax away the AIG bonuses. That way everyone, including those who voted for them, can see just who is being represented. Maybe we can get these traitors out of congress. I'm sick of seeing senators stand up openly and fight for the rights of the rich and not the majority who voted them in. Let's help make a change by exposing just who is supporting whom and why?

Hey Rick...

You had a guest on your show today (I believe he was a jouralist for the Washington Post, but I'm not sure) and he said someting to the effect that it was Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd that wrote the exclusion legislation into the TARP bill that allowed AIG to pay out 165 million in bonus bucks. Was he right? Is this true?

Dick...

rick we need to be fair with george w bush , i hope u tell everybody who started the war 911 or george w bush and who defended america arabs 911 or george w bush the guy did the right thing , people history have to be fair , dont blame on him thank you

The American people have the power over AIG. take your business to other insurance companies that offer the same insurance coverage as AIG. If you have insurance business with AIG. transfer your policy to other insurance companies. If everyone take their business to other insurance companies, this could put AIG. out of business.

AIG – If the governmnet takes much longer to act on the bonuses, the money will have already been spent by the executives, mostly on depreciating assets. The government needs to act immediately, but why not turn a negative into more of a positive and make the executives purchase AIG stock with the millions they received in bonuses, including the 11 executives that left AIG?

Hey Rick,

I think your show is the most enjoyable that CNN has running. You need to talk to your boss about starting an hour earlier and running for two hours. Your show is no where near long enough, and I'm sure the ratings have got to be very high. Ask other fans of your show. I think they would all agree.

What a wast of time, the AIG CEO on Capital Hill. Will this hearings cost us more that 165 MIllion $? YES. Should some AIG staff get a bonus? YES, but the ones that get the bonuses is not the ones I'm talking about.

It is the same thing when gas was 5 dollars per gallon, everyone was calling for something to be done to the oil companies. However, the fail to realize their 401k is invested in the big oil companies.

Are these really "bonuses" that AIG paid out or is it a massive hush money scheme to dissuade the people in the failed financial services department from talking? Since many are already out of the company, how can AIG call these huge payments "retention bonuses"? Why aren't some of the receivers of the bonuses testifying to Congress?

Retention: keeping or holding something, what did AIG keep? All those with money have been released, the opposite of retention. I would work for $1 too if I had millions already! Whatever...

The government should give each american citizen a million dollars and let us get this economy going again istead of continuing to give money to all of these corrupt companies.

Let the paparazzi take care of those ceo's and bonus takers . No one should hurt them physically.

If Liddy was worried that if he did not pay these bonuses these exec's would walk out or quit, then wouldn't it have been cheaper to let them walk and hire someone that did not hold the United States taxpayer hostage. LET THEM QUIT, hire people that will do the job with the bonus money, If he can't get the money back, then he has no control over his employees and He needs to go!!!!!! Ralph from Columbia, Missouri

i have watched too much about aig but one question has not been answered, unless i missed it (heaven forbid) whom or what decides on the amount of the "bonus" these thieves get. a few years ago i made a suggestion regarding the printing of a certain form and it saved the company at that time $300,000 per year. i did get a bonus of $3,000.00 and than the government took 19% on income tax.. I was thankful anyways and went on a trip to Europe with it. Ottawa, Canada

I was in commissioned sales for all my life. When I chose to retire, the company asked that I leave the same day – fear that I would re-enter the workforce. It took them three people to fly in and handle my accounts. It would have bode them well had they thought about a "retention plan". I am still retire.

give me the 125 million in bonuses and i'll get some jobs going.

regarding todays hearing at the H of Reps: When is congress going to pass laws prohibiting any company from getting so big that if it fails they are not covered by their own capital. Make it the law that if they pay those millions of dollars to themselves and give share holders a relatively small return by comparison it would be unlawful without a huge cash back up. a back up big enough to cover their own payroll.

We are fortunate that Libby has taken on the huge job of fixing AIG. This man is holding his ground and doing an excellent job of explaining why he has done what he has done. He is a businessman that weighs risk and make decisions based on those risks. Congress seem not to get it.

So where is the legislation to end credit swaps and to stop banks aorother financial institutions from buying loans from each other? Go to work Congress.

Rick, I think what we all keep missing here is that we're talking about BONUSES!!!!! over 150 million in BONUSES! We're not talking about a salary to do a good job. We're not talking about what people earn for doing a job well or poorly done. We're talking about millions in EXTRA pay when so many are losing their basic salaries. That's what's making this so ridiculous for me

I am sick to death of watching these pompous politicos posture and strut as though they have no guilt to shoulder. They are fanning the flames of class warfare in hopes that we won't notice how deep they are in this themselves.

Rick,

Take a look at AIG stock today since Liddy has been talking. 510M shares traded on normal volume of 47M.

too many rich people getting richer to have stopped it earier.We broke up phone company in '70's. We knew better than to let a company get to big to fail!!!

So where is the legislation to end credit swaps and to stop banks or other financial institutions from buying loans from each other? Go to work Congress.

NEED SOME HUMOR. I wanna know about space bats seen clinging to space shuttle, as seen on your crawler. Jerry

None of these CEO's or anyone else should get this kind of Money
none of them are worth it!!!

The people who received the "bonuses" performed for months to help AIG with its problems. As Mr. Liddy said, they were the best people, with the most knowledge, to take care of these tasks. They need an income just as everyone else does. 450 people received promised income based on their performance. And I'm sure they all have income-to-debt problems just as the rest of us – but on a greater scale. I think the media has contributed greatly to this public outrage, now forcing the legislature to micromanage the business, and giving them an opportunity to be outraged once again. I say trust Mr. Liddy to do what is best. Ask the legislators to take a paycut too. And have them allow the rest of us into their health plan. Move on to something more important.

Liddy is amazing, I now understand the rock and hard place he was placed in by his own choice. The bonus was required by contract,
what was missed was the fact that in order to receive it you were required to stay and help un-do the damage, not just bail on AIG.

He has made great progress in reducing the risk to all taxpayers.
I feel that if allowed he will resolve it.

What is needed in my option is oversight or regulation over
instruments of the type that got us in this mess to begin with.

If you can design and sell paper that will net you with massive
profits with little or no chance of loss the greed will take over.
That is what caused this the bonus issue is nothing compared to this.

I feel like Liddy is trying but I think the American people are so fed up we won't put up with this legal or not legal talk. He should have gone to all these people getting bonuses and gotten them to give up their bonuses ahead of this. He could have used the media to do that before congress ever got involved. He chould have even gone to congress and explained the situation so that the American people were involved since we are now owners of this mess too. Now it seems he is protecting AIG when he should be out there for the American people who are also the customers of AIG. Who is going to want to do business with this company now?

Will all pay raises since date of bailout be returned as well?

Rick,

The stock market went up because investors believed that something was going to be done about the AIG bonus rip-offs. It is now not doing as well because investors are seeing that they may get screwed and the greedy run away with more of our tax dollars.

The taxpayers own 80% of AIG and did not get any say into the bonus and salaries by AIG elite, and they have not made home loans readily available. This is taxation without representation. Is this legal?

Fred Poarch Family
Orange Park, FL

Rick, Thanks for getting the AIG stuff out there, but who in congress knew about all this a year ago? Who put a paragraph in the stimulus pkg. to o.k. this mess?

Hey Rick-
Why is no one calling out Dodd? While the Senate was constructing the $787 billion stimulus last month, Dodd added an executive-compensation restriction to the bill. That amendment provides an “exception for contractually obligated bonuses agreed on before Feb. 11, 2009” - which exempts the very AIG bonuses Dodd and others are now seeking to tax.

Why are we not talking about this?

Executive management of Canadian banks, ranked recently as the best banking system in the G7, VOLUNTARILY took pay cuts and are foregoing bonuses this year during these current economic times. Conversely, this on-going AIG fiasco clearly demonstrates the root of this entire global economic mess. It leaves me shaking my head, thankful and proud to be Canadian. Good luck America!

A Proud Canuck

Rick

Does most of the congressmen understand the difference between performance related bonus and retention plans? Feel sorry for Mr. Liddy to defend his poisition and trying expalin to the committe over and over again expalining the difference. It is not uncommon to pay a bonus to key employees to retain their services till winding -up an operation. These employees don't know what is their future after they wound up the business. One should understand they don't have a job after that and they have to protect themselves.

And surely it is not American taxpayers concern if AIG defaults on counter-party obligations. But just think about the country rating rating when an national icon like AIG defaults on its obligations.

If the American tax payer is the primary owner of AIG than all contracts in the past should be null and void.

Rick, Why didn't Congress stop these bonuses by attaching a clause in the stimulus pkg. How much blame goes to Congress? I'm sick of hearing them on their highhorse when they are as much to blame as AIG!!

Hi Rick,
Is AIG the only company in the US that can provide insurance?
Is GM the only company in the US that can provide automobiles?
Let them crumble and you'll see how fast the gap gets filled.
Survival of the fittest.
Thanks
Bob L.

These sanctimonious politicians grilling Liddy are unbelievable. First, courtesy of Sen Dodd they specifically add a measure to the stimulus bill that allows these bonuses to be paid and then they have the nerve to act surprised and outraged that the bonuses are paid. The only patriot in the hearing room was Liddy who is doing this thankless job for a sum total of $1. Make no mistake, the bonuses are outrageous but maybe these politicians should have read their own bill before they passed it. Disgusting!

rick, i think mr. liddy is having a hard time explaining the bonus sceanrio but if i understand what he is trying to say in his testimony, he is telling us that the people who received the bonuses are NOT the ones who tanked AIG. They are the ones within the company who were assigned to "wind down" the 1.6 TRILLION dollars of bad assests and some of who would no longer have a job once they accomplished their share of the "wind down". If these 70 some financial wizards did indeed stay on board instead of seeking other jobs and they did accomplish their share of this mission and kept 1.7 TRILLION from evaporating thus saving the U.S. from even more economic turmoil. Aren't they due the reward they were promised?

Let these big companies fail, i own my own business nobody is going to bail me out if i can't make, and because of AIG, GM, BOA.......ETC its making it harder for us hard working business owning americans survive.

I really feel sorry for all Americans who have been duped by the past administration. First the Iraq war and now Wall Street.
For Americans, the "fox" was in the "hen" house.
Who said Michael Moore's film's are too far to the left?

Rick,
My anger for Liddy has change after hearing his grilling by congressional committee. He seems to be trying to do what was asked of him.
My anger at the ones responsible for the failure within AIG, whose names we still do not know, has not changed.
While watching these congressional hearings I have become even more angered at our representatives that seem to come and go during the questioning. They do not take this seriously enough to sit still and listen – to be able and fully informed about how to deal with our business on this matter.
What is more important than sitting in and being a part of this committee they have been assigned.
Also,for our representatives that seem to think party politics plays a part in this questiioning. Do they not know thier intentions are "Transparent".
Forget the politics here and do your job.
Enlightened – in South Carolina

Who added the clause is important, but all the senators on the banking committee had a responsibility to read through the whole document before passing it. So they are all at fault and should also step down. I wouldn't be surprised if Sen Dodd intentionally allowed it through knowing it was there since he is getting a benefit from AIG. I do not understand why there is no conflict of interest in this case for Dodd. I'm sick of all these politicians and executives who just keep taking from the American people. They should be put in prison.

Why all the worry about who actually put the paragraph regarding paying bonuses to contractors before February 11 in the legislation?
We may never know.
Let's just ask the people who are repsonsible for the legislation, ie., the House and Senate Committe Chairs to resign. If these people aren't responsible for legislation then who is?

Shameful, were I liddy, I would have left my $1.00 of compensation on the table and left. Talk about suspension of reality; the "stimulus" bill is amended in conference, following input from house, senate and white house conferees, to strip an amendment prohibiting bonuses exactly like this. No one got an opportunity from "leadership" to even read the bill prior to the vote. Now the obviously anticipated event occurs, and our "leaders" are outraged! The Republic really, really eserves better than this. We have entered into an era of such fiscal irresponsibility that the consequences will make this recession pale.

Rick as I see it Mr. Libby was appointed to AIG cuz of the problems it had and his first order of business should have been to go over policy & procedures along with his balance sheets. Looks to me like he is getting info from his employees and now is covering up for them. He should not have given out those retention bonuses and he should have restructured the policy on these pay outs being that he is taking tax dollars. If all of those executives quit or get fired there are 300 million people in this great country of ours that could fit into those jobs and do the right thing. As for the 165 million that was given out, it is a drop in the bucket but it was illegal. We prosecute juveniles for shoplifting a pack of gum, why not these executives that are stealing from the American people. They all need to be fired for taking advantage of all of us. That Senator said it right. Take it back or pay it back.

DEAR RICK
YOUR COMMENT REGARDING THE BOARD AND DIRECTORS OF AIG GIVING THEMSELVES BONUSES MADE ME CHUCKLE; ISN'T THAT WHAT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND STATE GOVERNMENTS DO?????
MR. LIDDY DESERVES A+ FOR HIS EFFORTS. AFTERALL HE CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT AND ONLY TAKES $1 AS PAY.
WOULDN'T IT BE INTERESTING TO FIND OUT WHO GOT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AIG

why wouldn't aig give out bonuses its free money that they will never pay back, its what this whole country is based upon," FREE HANDOUTS" our forefathers are turning in the grave at what we have done to this great country, i hope that once my emails and letters get to our pres and elected officials that they will bail my favorite college basketball team out and let them into the ncaa tournament

What does "awaiting moderation" mean? What is objectionable in my comment. I have used adjectives that are all in the dictionary to the best of my knowledge.

These sanctimonious politicians grilling Liddy are unbelievable. First, courtesy of Sen Dodd they specifically add a measure to the stimulus bill that allows these bonuses to be paid and then they have the nerve to act surprised and outraged that the bonuses are paid. Make no mistake, the bonuses are outrageous but maybe you should have read your own bill before you passed it.
The only patriot in the hearing room today was Liddy who is doing this thankless job for a sum total of $1.

Hey Rick,
My Uncle owns a bank, and I think there always has to be some rules for banks to follow by, but the government is not good at managing things. The people they hire aren't the most well educated, because the salaries are so low. So you can't expect them to regulate banks and do a good job. Americans need to get responsible for reading the fine print. The contracts. It's their in plain English, but they don't care. They buy things they should not. Hopefully this is a lesson. My Dad has told me over and over since I was very young to read every single contract thoroughly before I sign or I'm plain stupid for not doing it. My Dad is in the one percentile of intelligience and he's lost millions by getting into bad contracts in his younger years so he knows. But we all need to take responsiblity and stop blaming the banks and loan companies. America needs to GET SMART.
- Rich Pretty Girl

This is my first time writing. Just want to ask how can we tell if a loan modification advertiser is not a scam? I am having a difficult time trying to get an company to stop contacting me.

Can someone give me a few tips on how to tell if someone who is advertising for loan modifications is legitimate or a scam. I need someone to help me with a loan mod but cannot tell which lawyers to trust?

Rick,
Keep reading about bailouts still going on.We the taxpayers are getting the shaft.Who's looking out for us?Same old entitlement behavior.Greed is all these bailout companys know who will trust them now no one.They will be a sinking ship for sure.We are all so very disgusted.Keep the pressure on Rick I love your show.

Judy

We are all pointing the finger...well we need to point it at our selves. I would like to give everyone some in site of this so called melt-down and AIG. First, I was a Area Construction Manager in Orlando..Everything was booming, Well the counties had a big finger in it. They told the inspectors to hold up on passing homes. Look for every tiny thing to hold up the homes. Why,well this created a higher demand and drove home prices up. For them this meant Higher tax and more money in the counties pockets..Second, Now everyone was getting Rich from County, Builder,Contractors,subcontractors Etc. Now everyone needed stuff, like trucks, homes tools etc. Take me...I needed a new truck..I went shopping Used first ..All overpriced..I then went to ford...Now I had no Past Cridet History..Not a very good past work History I had only been with this Company 1 Year. I did have $3000 cash to put down. The sales-Rep as we all know works on Commission so we was there all day while this guy did what ever he did to get me financed...Remember this happened everywhere from homes to cars Etc. Now a week later I got a letter saying I had a different finance company...I didn’t understand why but I do now. They sold the Loan to another Company. Anyway the bottom fell out I lost my job, My truck Etc. So what I'm Saying is we all need to blame ourselves. I take the blame for getting a loan I couldn’t afford, The sales-Rep should Blame his self for doing what ever he did just so he could get the commission..All the People who had homes built for investment..and what I mean by that is One person would have homes built for resale at higher Prices. I seen one guy who had 6 homes built in different places....Why would any Company Loan this guy Money to build this many Homes ..well he went to different Loan Companies and different builders and each time had exceptable amounts of money to put down on each one..and that was as far as everyone looked. CASH IN HAND...We are all to blame for this so stop Pointing the finger and Just try to not get so greedy next time..ALL OF US.

Hi Rick, or any one that will read this to the public. I understand these folks from AIG should not have gotten these bonuses, but no one is talking about the BILLION's and BILLION's and BILLION's of our tax dollar's that went out of country to help their establishment's. It is bad enough that we get fleeced here at home, but to send our tax dollar's out of country to bail them out is totally confusing. Shouldn't those country 's bail out themselve's?

Rick,
Senator Chris Dodd admitted to removing verbage to prevent AIG employees from getting a bonus due to pressure from the Treasury Department. Since he is weak in protecting our tax dollars he should be called upon to resign, and an investigation of the Treasure Department for corruption should be started. Perhaps Senator Chris Dodd should be called upon to explain why he had such a moral failing to toss our tax dollars about. I'm sure his government policy covers counseling for the ability to just say no to thugs wanting our tax dollars for free. Since we taxpayers own 80% of AIG their salaries and bonus packages should be determined by us. To do otherwise is taxation without representation in those decisions.

Congress now is calling for a bill that would levy a 90 percent tax on bonuses paid to employees with family incomes above $250,000 at companies that have received at least $5 billion in government bailout money.

What the hell are they thinking! Aren't there ones that made less than $250,000 and still recieved a million dollar bonus or more? I would word a year for a $1.00 salary if I were getting a million dollar bonus as well. They think we are still not paying attention to what is happening it sems.

Rick:Once people run out of 59 weeks of unemployment they will be listed as no longer looking for work.Does anyone care to believe this really. Its essayer to shame throes people for not finding a job. So this means the continuing claims of unemployment will slowly get better once people run out of unemployment and start living in tints.

Weeks of unemployment was not extended past 59 weeks , only the time to claim them was extended. 3 million people will soon slowly start to run out of the unemployment.

Rick: All the politicians are "showing" outrage at AIG and the $165,000,000 million paid out in bonuses, crying foul and wanting the money returned. But, how many of these very same politicians are lineing up to give back the "donations" they recieved from AIG?

We have been hearing this stuff for over a week now. Why do you keep bringing up old news? Besides you need to stop being to over bearing and opinionated.

If Congress has the votes to tax 90% of the AIG bonus, why not get back all the pak monies given to Dems and Reps? Come on we demand their names! Who are they and how much did they get? We the tax payers want that money back into AIG!

att :rick

president obama is really clamping down on all the animals at aig
and keep in mind ' with everybody at ' cnn

he must of herd " give an inch" they want more

OK. We give AIG money to stay afloat. Tell me how NOT paying the bonuses would make them go bankrupt sooner. It seems as if the more money they could save, the better they would be. Just because we, the people, don't want them to pay these guys a bonus doesn't mean we want them to go belly-up!!! I don't understand that and why no one says that!!

Hey Rick, All this crap that is happening with being greedy is not related solely to Bush's admin. Clinton had his problems also. It was building then and became a monsoon during 2008 & 2009. In fact, greediness has been increasing rapidly over the the last two or more generations as the "gold" has become more important than high morales and doing what is correct. Let's hear it for the "Hooray for me and to hell with everyone else crowd" everywhere.

WHO GOT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AIG??????????

AIG gave $280,000 to Dodd's campagin.

Chris Dodd vehemently denied knowing anything about the amendment that allowed AIG to pay bonuses–in fact it compelled them to do it or face lawsuits. CHRIS DODD LIED ON CAMERA. Then, 24 hours later when the whistleblowers were lining up to blow his story to hell, he comes back on camera and admits it. Then CNN asks him about it and he does the Potomac two-step and you guys let him get away with it. HE LIED. What is wrong with asking him, on camera, why he LIED. It's pretty obvious to me–he lied because he owed his buddies at AIG something and they cashed in their chips with him to make sure they would get their bonuses. He wanted to delay telling the truth until Libby testified so he could use that as justification for this. CHRIS DODD LIED. If he lied about that, what else is he lying about? He lied about something that he knew was verifiable just by asking somebody who didn't want the excrement to hit the impeller and wear it alone. Connecticut should be embarrassed. And Dodd should resign.

You're crucifying senators and congressmen for what they said months ago but you won't take on Dodd for what he said yesterday.

Rick the time to speak out about the de-regulation what the impications were and who was getting donations is when it was happening. Where was the press when we needed them?
RR

Hey Rick..

I heard it was against the constitution to put undue taxes on a certain group? Is not congress breaking the law? I think we need to get rid of Tim. G. He was involved in this in the fall. He knew what was coming yet did nothing to stop it. My guess is he probably never read it.

Rick, our legislators have certainly been asleep at the switch and not watching out for our interests to allow a company like AIG to become so powerful, that our government feels allowing it to fail will not only impact our economy, but the global economy! This is just outrageous and I haven't heard anyone else address this issue as yet. Why are there not other companies out there competing with AIG in the market, so AIG doesn't hold all the cards? Sounds like AIG is a monopoly!

I am sick and tired of the fake outrage of everyone over AIG and other companies that are being bailed out.

The american public got what they wanted Since Reagan everyone bought into the "small government" no regulation govermnment

We elected the no regulation crown and now we are sreaming when wall street has now run amuk

What did we expect????

The Public and Congress now ar re-writing History

It is hard for me to believe that the super smart people who work for IAG will be able to get jobs from other companies after the mess they made for IAG .I would not want them working for my company and bring along all that negative baggage.

Rick how can you watch congress and not have to take a blood pressure bill, these guys don't know what they are doing with our money, its depressing, disgusting and they are only saying what they think we want to hear. Our poor forth fathers are turning over in their graves.

so let me get this straight–executive contracts are sacrosanct, but UNION workers' contracts can be cancelled or abridged at any time?? no discrimination there, right???

First of all I propose that all countries in the world that do buisiness with the United States of America should donate 1% of their GDP to be given directly to the American people to jump start everything at once.
And in doing so the world would be thanking all the American people who have done so much for so little by creating the greatest econemy that ever existed.
Speaking from Canada I can Honestly say that proper banking and stockmarket regulation do work and you can still make a fair and hefty profit. In the last 10 years the Canadian stockmarket, banking system and dallaor (loonie) have done much better (per capita) than in America. Canada just doesn't produce as many BILLIONAIRES as America (per capita).

P.S. Universal healthcare also works, Just because America calls it socialist medicare does not make it wrong.

Congress should take responsibility for the $180mil. in bonuses. They ,Dodd, went back and knowingly ADDED this and Obama signed off on it. . AIG employees broke no laws. AIG was doing what they were contractually obligated to do.

Hope this young reporter gets out of this OK. However, you and she knew she was doing something risky – even dangerous. A for guts: D for smarts. Before you get too overwrought, keep in mind how your border security reacts if someone is found poking around in a prohibited area. I'm sure there are plenty of Mexicans with a story to tell; I know there are Canadians who have had some bad experiences. In a high tension or war situation, reporters have been killed by US troops for being in the wrong place at the wrong time – always accidentally of course and soon to be forgot.

Banks create the money they lend out of thin air. They operate under Fractional Reserve Banking with a 10% reserve requirement. With the bailout money they were given they could created Trillions in Loans and Credit, but they havent. You cannot expand the economy without increasing the money supply in step with the economic activity. The banks create about 90% of the money supply and the government only creates about 10%. In other words, when banks banks don't issue credit or loans, the money supply does not expand and the economy cannot expand. This system must be changed. Bank created money only stays in circulation as long as someone is paying interest on it. Government Created money is permanent and is interest free and can be replaced at no cost when worn out. This is what FDR did to end the great depression. He created more government created money and spent it into circulation than any other president before or since. If all the Presidents since FDR would have created the same amount of money that FDR did in his 12 years as President, there would be mno federal debt at all. This was done then with very low inflation. WE should all look back at our history and learn from it. The Private banks would not want the government to create money as they do it at a profit.

Article 1, section 8 of the US Constitution gives Congress the power to create money and they should use this provision now.

Hey Rick,
Maybe we should just load all of the washington politicos in a bus and run it off a cliff. They continue to lie about what they knew and when they knew and it. Then when confronted they try to crawfish. Lets bring them up on ethics violations and get them out.

Funny that we are so focused on one tenth of one percent of this money to AIG. I want to concentrate on how we are going to get the 170 BILLION back. ... Bueller.....Bueller....

hey rick!.have you ever done a segment on universities online i'm not talking about the traditional schools that we're all familiar with but some of the lesser known one's and how credible are they in the job market and how do employers view an online degree.i'm 52yrs.old and unemployed and considering one of these online universities.IS IT WORTH THE MONEY?

Rick - You've got to expose this one! Obama compared the 1908 Model T Ford's fuel consumption to that of a modern day SUV. Are you shitting me? The Model T had a 4 cylinder, 20hp engine - NO POLUTION CONTROL. The SUV............well, need I say more? What a bunch of propaganda. Check his speech from today at the electronics plant in CA.

Regarding AIG. Can't blame AIG for not bending to governmental direction. After all does anyone expect one ethically and morally corrupt group to listen to another one. Wouldn't that be like the crips listening to the bloods. Or, like the black panthers listening to the aryan nation. Or, like the democrats listening to the republicans.

As far as I can tell each politician expressing indignation seems to be guilty of padding her, or his, own pocket first. The fact is character does count. Also, wouldn't it be refreshing if someone would stand up say something that hasn't been written and processed by someone else. For heaven's sake, not one of them can even apologize without reading one prepared by someone else.

I'm sad to say that our government has become a fine example of "it depends on what your meaning of is is". "Value and Principle" has become more empty words. A nation has been taught by our leaders that it is OK to lie and cheat. Just make sure you can afford an attorney and have a good apology writer. Oh! And don't forget... deny, deny, deny, deny.

Did anybody notice that Nancy Pelosi trapped the Republicans into voting for a 90% tax?? She knew this was against our Constitution, but hood winked the Reps, into voting for the biggest tax increase in the history of this country!!!! I am a Rep who knows how we failed and voted for Obama to clean up this mess , but I am enjoying how the entire Rep group is rudderless without the "lower taxes, cut spending" mantra. I think the Bush groupies intentionally didn't put any restraints on the Tarp program to cause Obama problems. but guess what? Yep a woman did them in. Heh Heh.

Hey Rick,

If this goes on and on, is it not ripe for a second American revolution?
Congress and the administration are not doing what the American people are expecting them to do, what we need is a major change. Change all incompetent politicians across the board. Mostly all Vietnam veterans are waiting impatiently on the sidelines for now. We don't have that much time in this earth, and to die fighting for the common good of the American people will not be a waste. After all, we fought for freedom before and it is not even for the welfare of our own homeland and citizens.

Spearfish 4Delta
LTC
Laos

This bail-out and TARP is the greatest effort in "Easy Qualifier Loans" effort by Washington DC. Did they not complain or mention that this is what got us in this mess in the real estate market? Now they do the same in a corporate environment, giving $$ to corporations that are in tax-default. Giving $$ to banks that were suppose to lend it out but instead are sitting on the TARP Funds.

EZ Qualifier Loans/ Funds all over again, this time by Congress.

Those AIG Funds are not worth going after. They were addressed and allowed by Congress, the FED, and the President in allowing the provision and AIG Bail-out. 90% tax rate is just a diversion and "Congress you should have read the whole document before approving it".

This is why you are elected! To look-out for the taxpayer that voted you in to represent in Congress and Senate.

Washington DC is a club and it is still running no different President Obama. Let's hear from Palin and her opinion as to what is gouing on. At least it would be entertaining.

To: Rick Sanchez
President on Jay Leno

I think President Obama needs to appear more in Hollywood media along with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and call their act: "The Three Stooges run the Country".

I think our President is playing duck and hide to avoid the fact that his administration screwed up again and that they are losing creditability with the American people as fast as Congress and the Senate are dropping in the polls.

Ask Wall Street, the core of this country's financial and economic future about what they think of this new Four-Year Act. Change is a com' and it is for the worse.

A Disappointed Unemployed Taxpayer in Lincoln, Nebraska

Doesn't matter if $165 million is a small percentage to the whole pie. When I have to cut back in order to survive, No matter how little, I plug every hole in my "money bucket". Little expenses add up. AIG took a big chunk of governemnt money. Life is now different.

AIG controllers say they already have legally-binding contracts regarding the bonuses. Bonuses are rewards for good work. Period. Ask UAW workers what happened to their legally-binding contracts with the excuse changing them would save the companies. These people who gave their whole lives to a car company, showed up everday and performed back-breaking work–that without it would result in no cars–are now losing the legally-binding agreements for health insurance after retirement. That is just ONE of many, many losses those employees have and are experiencing. And those receiving million dollar bonuses–who let the company fail–have the nerve to expect rewards for bad work?

So, Rush Limbaugh complains about class warfare? To h_ll with Rush. If the greedheads of Wall Street had earned their money the old fashioned way, by hardwork and actually producing something instead of trading monopoly money for the last 8 years, I'd say he was right. But, since most of them amassed their wealth by doing nothing more than peddling bad assets, they deserve the American public's deep anger and should be glad they're only having their bonuses taxed and not being probed by a grand jury.

FYI to the Senator from Arizona that is miffed Pres. Obama was
on Jay Leno-the Senator is implying that the President flew out
to California to be on Leno and Leno only-FYI to this Senator-
the President spent two days in California holding his "town
meetings". Secondly–this President is going to be doing alot of
things no Presidents before him have-he seems to "get" the
problems the people have–he is not above us but is one OF us.
He also has done more for the American people in 59 days than
the previous President did for us in EIGHT YEARS.. Thankyou.

Rick,
Follow the money trail! It was reported on CNN that the American taxpayers pay the premiums for the health insurance for congress. But who is the insurance company that underwrites those policies? I would venture to say it is AIG!
Follow the money trail!

When it comes to the topic of Obama talking to Iran or any nation deemed an enemy of America, only one question needs to be answered, Are we safer with war or peace?

Every time you kill someone, a living person is affected and human reaction to tragedy is wide ranging. Some cry, some try and start over, but other will seek revenge and with the turmoil the world is in we do not need to pursue an policy that will create an enemy.

Rick,

help me out here man, why would anyone get a bonus for driving their company into the ground? they state that it is a retention and talent bonus, ummmmm excuse me, but I wouldn't want to retain any talent that would destroy my company in a fiscal sense or a reputation sense.

If the conservatives are so righteous and Bible-driven why don't they follow their own beliefs found in the Parable of the Faithful Servant (Mark 13:33-37)..."To Whom much is given much is required". Where is the Christian humanity.

Bob/Ottawa, ON

Funding of congressional campaigns: We should allow a certain number of FREE hours on tv for candidates. The cost of tv is the largest of campaign costs. The air waves are owned by the general public. We should not have to then donate money to candidates for paying broadcasters for commercials.

In clawing back AIG bonus's the most important consideration is the fact that executives draft their own contracts and that is where the fundamental issue/problem lies. Every profession has its market value but unlike the free market CEO's and executives deem their own value. This shift towards exorbitant salary and bonus's began with Lee Iacocca and is now out of control and that is where the problem lies. Taking the money back as far as I am concerned represents a correction in what these individuals should be earning.

Rick,

Regarding your discussion on what it cost today to be a Senator or a House Representative and the dollars spent and given to the parties (50% to Republicans and 45% to Democrats used to diregulate the economy the last 8-10 years, why are we not calling this "Legal Corruption"?. We as a nation always point out corruption in other countries but is this not the same only to be politically correct "Legal"? It is absolutely funny to hear those people who point out that they don't want to be like Europe and have Socialism in this country but the reality is those countries at least have regulations that minimized the problems we are facing today.

Chase

Rick, re 'legal' payouts:
why/how are the payouts deemed 'legal'?

IS a contract legal if the person who ISSUES that contract is a crook?

Does everyone sign *each others* contracts?

I am 65. The young folks you were talking with are the result of PC brain washing that began when I was about 7. My country is lost and it is a disgrace.

Hello Rick

I love your persistance and dedication to your job to help present all the facts so that the Americans people can continue and intellengent and thoughtful dialoge to continue to move the American Dream agenda to a reality. As a professional who has worked in the Labor industry for 20 years, under my job I negotiated Union Contracts. I understand the law to be the same when I started in this business as it is right now the contract comes subject to Law. Therefore if the congressinal bodies change the law the the facts which construe the law, the contract is subject for re-negotiation. Which could be initiated by either party once the facts become knowledgable. Therefore I conclude that both parties were wrong and can stop this drama at any time by agreeing to open negotiation talks. So this is a total distraction from the real issues of Who causes this calamity and what culprits should go to jail. Even the the unregulated FCC, who has card blanche. They are the real problem and congress has the congressional oversite and they are still asleep at the wheels.

So keep it coming Rick we need your help!!

Rick,
I am really getting sick of just talking about AIG and the bonuses. Lets go all the way back to Enron, and especially all the other perks very recently like junkets and bonuses of Fannie, Freddie, citi, Bank of America, etc. etc.
Darlene

AIG was just the straw that broke the camels back, not the sum total of the anger of Bonuses. Lets follow all of the money.

Congress: Everyone shares the blame. Finger-pointing makes me angry. Especially the righteous wrath of the Republicans that got us into this mess in the first place. Washington must change or throw the bums out!@
Darlene

Congratulations Rick. On President's appearance on Tonight Show it is not a question of skin color but being politically correct, at home and abroad. In Latinamerica when shall we see a US President showing muscle to the known dictators rullers in Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Bolivia, for God's sake ?

It is obvious to me that all the problems are centered in one place and that is the Washington establishment who do nothing once they are elected to this elitist enclave do one thing and that is to follow what is the norm in this culture. They do not pay into social security, they vote themselves raises whenever, they have their own healthcare system,they have all their travel and expenses paid for, they have their own pension plan for the rest of their lives and steal they are on the take from every corporation who wants favors from every lobbyist and even from individuals seeking something or anything. They always have their hands out just like simple beggars. Just look at the last 20 years and what this 'IN Group' have caused the American populace with their wisdom. These elected thieves call themselves 'Public Servants' and they serve only themselves.These Public Servants are suposed to look out for the people who elected them but what has happened in these past months only goes to prove that they were looking out for themselves once again. I cannot understand why the American People do not revolt and finally DEMAND TERM LIMITS. Can anyone one of us do any worse job than what has been done. How long does it take to learn the ropes? How long does it take to read a bulletin board to figure out where your meeting takes place. I dare say that any one of us could use the common sense that we were born with to make more intelligent decisions then the Public Servants we elect and then cannot remove them from office for they have built up a war chest of millions so that even dynamite canot dislodge them. I hope that someone can tell me how many Public Servants, including judges, are currently in jails across the U.S. I would love to have an answer as to why TERM LIMITS could not work! I hope Mr. Sanchez will have the ability and time to send a response. Thank you.

How does a defendant get a mear 45 yr sentence for slitting a youngmans throat and he was not involved in the domestic violence

He appelled within 11 months, and I not only witnessed the murder I lost my only child.

I don't mind that people get bonuses for work they have earned but I am a nurse and our hospital is not giving out raises this year as of yet. They say they will revisit the subject in april. I can't get 50cents more an hour but other folks in AIG get thousands and what is sad is my retirement is with a branch of AIG.

I couldn't help but notice that Mr. Raines, former head of FNMA, who personally made $50,000,000 pushing bad loans isn't on your list of people you've invited. I also notice that Barney Franks isn't there, one of many on both sides of the aisle who failed to curtail Mr. Raines under political pressure. I'm not familiar with your program, but your list is far from balanced.,

However, there is a real news break: In a speech yesterday or today, President Obama introduced his 2009 do it or else health program. He said that some one goes bankrupt every 30 second due to health care costs.
Using a 360 day year commonly used for comparisons of this type, I find that 1 036,800 people filed for bankiruptcy in 2008., A check with the American Bankruptcy Institute public data says there were 1,074,225 non business filingss that year.,
On that basis the problem can't be housing, can it? Then why are we throwing money at the banks , when we should be totally worried about health care???
I guess that it's beginning to be, let's see if we can get past a trillion to a quadrillion., Our kids will love 50% tax rates, 18$ inflation, a 15 cent dollar and everybody they are working for owned by people from other countries because when the government started limiting bonuses, spending all its money on badly run businesses , finding all the possible ways to print money (that's how all this will be paid for iniitially) for new "causes" some people may feel good, but the majority of people in this country, democrats, republicans, independents, of all colors, races and relitgions will say why did we destroy America.
So that's it, no housing problem, we don't want to admit our own greed, we don't seem to care about the accuracy of numbers as long as they justify spend,spend,spend – I wonder what we'll think when we can't afford imports, (bye, bye Walmart), no one can afford to be in business, no one wants to work because 40% tax rates now start at $20,000 a year.and there is no one left to run the government printing presses since the dollar fell to less than one cent in the world markets.

Continued: give the middle class the bailout. Everyone who is 21yrs old and older one million dollars, This would be cheaper then bailing out 1 bank and it would cause people to buy up mortgages start investments boost the economy put money in banks pay debts all the necessities that are essential for a strong economy. Remember the middle class drives the economy right.

America is paying the price for de-regulation, But they should have ask the rest of the world pay up first.

In Cnada for example, we have not put in one penny so far to help the economy, but Canada and Canadians just made BILLIONS today with Oboma's new rescue plan.

Canadians would gladly pay more than our share to help solve this problem, but nobody asked.

Thank you once again America

The problem that nobody talks about is that the U.S.A.,the federal government,does not have any money. They are borrowing it from China,etc. Taxpayers for several generations, will have to repay China,etc. the money and interest until it is paid. What happened to "just say no"and/or bankruptcy??

The newest attempt to get the economy move isn't neccessarily a bad plan. It's a venture into the unknown which aways brings out sceptics. Try wrapping you brain around this bold move and come up with way though affected can cash in on it either collectively or individually.

Hugo Chavez sounds like a Republican. Maybe the GOP has finally found its voice.

Hello Rick,

I think we should include a "scarlett letter" clause for AIG. If they are going to change their name, they should only be allowed to change it to "IOU" until the country is repaid...

Heather Beck
Steamboat Springs, CO

Hey just a thought. Aren't there some state and local banks ,and also some state and local Insurance comps. willing to take over the bad wall street buisiness that (would be allowed to go into bankcruptcy)
if this were done the "right way" ?

My problem is that my husband and I are both "under water" for about $25,000 in our mortgage. We have never been late on a payment and work very hard to pay all of our bills on time. We have a split mortgage (neither or are held by Chase) and the smaller of the two is an ARM. I called my long time bank today, JP Morgan Chase, and asked them if they would help us by refinancing our house since they are the recipients of TARP money. I was told they would not help us. I am outraged since I just saw on CNN today, JP Morgan Chase is buying 2 new corporate jets for $120 million and spending an additional $18 million on refurbishing the hanger for these jets. When I spoke to the bank manager at the branch we use, she said it was apples and oranges and there was nothing they would or could do to help. I thought the TARP money was to help people like us. I don't want something for nothing – I've been a hard worker all of my life and retired after 20 honorable years in the United States Air Force. My husband is also a very hard worker and has been with the city of Solon OH for 25 years. How do we gain access to this money via lenders to help us? I feel helpless and now frustrated.

When the politicos say that the government is partnering with private business and if that business fails, it fails. but if it succeeds the people will share in the success. HOW do the people ever share in government success. I have never personally had a tax reduction as a result of govt success, I haven't gotten money in the mail from the Government for some private business' success. so just How do we share in that success?

Rick, there is a language for the events and people you see in-play in these latest money and political events with our Country. Let me help you with the appropriate terms and words from the past that get it right. These should help everyone: pettifogger, mountebank, machination, pecksnifferous, mulct, opprobrious, perfidious, ignominous, ingratiating, and the one I see most from the CNN political talking heads, sychophant. The most intuitive CNN advisor is Sindy Olman, the worst and most absurd commentaries come from, the rest!

Pres. Obama must listen to Axelrod, his cos before its too late. I did not vote for him to have him continue the paulsen-bush policies as it relates to toxic assets and the banks. Wall st. reacted monday with a 500 pt. rally. This only tells me they can control the daily outcomes.there is no natural flow of business. The banks are holding out on credit business until they can DUMP, at their price, those toxic assets.New taxpayer bailout money and indeed old money must force
banks to put that money on the STREET! Geithner and summers are from that wall street bank ilk and are dead wrong to allow their buddies to get away with this blackmail with no consequences just like the bonus fiasco at I.G.A. and other places.

Thanks TJ for pushing C. Mack for an answer to your question. Journalists MUST make their interviewees answer questions directly and not digress to avoid the subject. I don't trust journalists who let the person off the hook.

If we continue to bail out AIG does this give them the ability to write off more toxic assets as opposed to attempting to sell them? Doesn't it continue to benefit not only the excutives at AIG to continue to draw salaries, but it continues to benefit the lowest of the low office worker who assisted in processing all the bad loans for approval. It's not just the executives that need to be fired at AIG.

watching british football on the weekend I noticed an AIG ad on a huge billboard. Are the bailouts paying for ads too. don sinkins kenora ontario canada

Rick,

We always talk about number of people that are unemployed. What about the people who had unemployment benefits and used up and don’t have any jobs yet. What is the national percentage of those individual?

Greg

MEXICO
Mexico has always been a mess. This makes those who love the country and love to visit there very sad for the people. Mexico has a good constitution which has never been fully implemented. If Mexico had been governed with constitutional law, and checks and balances like we have, with its tremendous natural riches, it could have been a stable country like Canada and United States. However, much of the wealth has just gone out of the country with its leadership over the years.

Why are they sticking with the race issue? Those who keep bringing this up about the President seem to have a problem. Let the man do his job!
I get sick of the race issues and I'm a white-guy!

Rick: You inferred President Obama had withdrawn middle-class tax promise for this year.

It was provided for in the stimulus package for 2 years. That's why they said they would try for years 3 and 4 in the next budget.

I hope you will correct your comment inferring the President had broken a promise.

Thanks.

Rick, The most unasked question since the election is what happened to tax break for seniors ( first $50K untaxed). Obama hasn't said a word and no one at any press conference, town meeting, etc. Please get someone at CNN to ask this question.

Hey, Rick!!! Gingrich is like a lot of Republicans: He SUFFERS FROM HYPOCRISY!!!! When he was dogging Bill Clinton about extramarital affairs, he was HAVING ONE!!!!!! Now, he's on Obama's ethics? Old Newt has committed adultery in both his marriages and nobody has spewed more hatred about Catholics and the Catholic Church than Evangelicals. Bob Jones University in South Carolina is a prime example. Some of the stuff written and published by them is unbelievable. Why didn't Newt give BJU a lecture about "loving thy neighbor" all those years ago?

Hello Rick,

You talked about "oil spill" in Alaska that has not happened,
BUT, "WHAT IF"?

Guess you must have forgotten about the "Valdeze" Oil spill off Alaska a number of years ago.

The current situation on our border, resulting in thousands of deaths on Mexico's side and increased crime on ours, is a direct result of the ineptitude of our Congress. Senators such as Boxer, Feinstein, McCain, Kennedy and many more are responsible for ignoring our border situation for personal gain. Every Senator that has failed to secure our borders has blood on their hands. Illegal aliens have been invading this country for years, now the drug gangs are providing the muscle to threaten our National security.

Having come from the Canadian Banking environment with 22 years experience from the front line to an executive level, I assure you the US system requires a complete revamp with heavy regulations. The Canadian Banking environment is the highest regarded in the world & provides an attractive safe investment for shareholders & most importantly a safe environment for consumer's. The US Federal Reserve should be looking to Canadian banking Executives, such as myself, to assist with full reconfiguration. Our system was able absorb losses in the sub-prime crisis, created by US greed, while maintaining business as usual for both consumer and commercial lending.

Hi Rick,
Great program!!!
What bugs my anus is the fact that the treasury bailed out AIG so that their employees could retain their retirement plans, ect while the US worker was losing their jobs and 401k"s along with their pensions.
All this bailout was from the US taxpayer and we got the feces. If Timmy gets his way the risky plan he is proposing-–God help the
people of The USA. President Obama is too interested in getting a tan from the cameras instead of being a real leader. Power went to his head.

The Mexican people have no right to complain about NAFTA. I have just lost my job because the company relocated to Mexico. Are we supposed to feel sorry for them?

Rick...Take a breath. Stop interrupting those you're talking to. They have interesting things to share. This isn't a one-man show.

The question should not be if we should "legalize marijuana", but rather when is the fedral prohibition of Cannabis going to end. States regulate guns, prostitution, gabling, alchohol, and tobacco. We currently don't have the right to regulate the cannabis plant because it is concidered a schedule 1 narcotic. We should push our elected officials follow through with the decisions that thier constituants have made, and force the federal government to downgraded the cannabis to a controlled substance.

Hello Rick,

My husband lost his job & not working for seven months and he finally had a job and took 70% cut of what he was making before.

My question is I would like to know Banks get bill out and still not giving loan to the American people? Just like us we are trying to modify our home loan, right now we are up side down. Our property value approximately $547,000.00 compared to $799.000.00 I am just thank God, that my husband has a job and I m also start working part time to help out our family. I never work before for 16 years but we have to do, to survive. We been contacting Chase bank in modifying our loan it sames like we can not get answer from them.

Hi Rick,
ASHAMED? We are ashamed of the police chief that does not stand behind the officer. Do you know how many police officer have died on similar circumtances? This is a country of laws if a person on authority tells you to stop we must stop. Because you are an NFL player or some one is dying does not give you the right to disobey the laws. You have options, call for an escolt or stop an explain your situation but running from a polce officer makes you suspicious. My husband end of watch happend on similar circuntances on 08\11\93 and 3 children grew up without a daddy. We put this officer in position of power to protect us and when their actions do not look politicly correct them we throw them under the bus.

Rick: Newt's to smart to say what he said about ND commencement address. I agree that the promotion of abortion is wrong,but I also strongly believe in the right of free speach. We all have our opinions on moral issues and in many cases they become publically controversial. The fact that N.D. has invited the President to address the Graduates should not condemn the University or the President, but should exemplify the role of a University and the peoples right to their beliefs.

Hi Rick,
That Dallas officer should not be on paid leave he should be fired. Mr Moats was not driving that fast according to his dash-cam, the officer would not listen to what he (Mr. Moats) was saying and the officer was just down right rude. What was with all the threatening Mr. Porter did? He was going to tow Mr. Moats' car, take him to jail and just telling Moats TO SHUT UP? It sounds like Porter was young and dump and abusing his authority. Mr Moats never ID himself as a NFL player he just wanted to say farewell to his mother-in-law.

CULTURAL SHIFT. bank of America, citigroup, J.P.Morgan and other bankers met with the president. They were told that the nation has undergone a cultural shift by Pres.Obama.I think that means we will no longer accept the actions of these institutions from getting away with abuses against the economy & country. The voters have given the Pres. the power to apply pressure to them. Sides have been taken,
lines have been drawn. No political interpretation is necessary. We have the ball now.They dropped it. the banks must be directed as to where we, the american people, want them to go.There is no need to shield them from populist rage. There is no need to slow down th 90%
tax on bonuses in congress. Being afraid of legal ramifications on
phoney contracts makes no sense. Follow thru!

The justifiable anger by the american people the Pres. speaks about
should DERAIL plans to rid the banks of TOXIC ASSETS. What in god's name are they? What ever happened to declaring tax losses?
Repaymentt must not be a condition for not making these loans.
The pres.should stop listening to summers and geithner and derive a
completely new structure governing wall street and the banks. The
old policies will not work. Listen more to the people that got you there.
In the final analysis, The people are usually right.Please Mr. president,
listen to us. When the smoke clears, your current course will see these industries rewarded and left to repeat history again. If you get rid
of summers and geithner and really pay attention, You can benefit
Main street instead of wall street. That is the real change you spoke to

Our HOA will not allow satellite/dish to be installed anywhere except the roof. We live at 9000 ft and have a 3 story dwelling. Snow and ice can effect the dish and it is not accessible to remove the snow. In order to be approved for satellite we must sign a waiver stating that we are responsible for ANY damage to the roof, not the HOA'S insurance company. FCC rules state that is an unreasonable expense and is unlawful.

RE: Dallas cop.
He gets "paid" leave for his actions? Of course as soon as this cools off, he will have to report back to active duty and earn his taxpayers money, but meanwhile, he can sit on his couch and drink a cold one, or go on vacation with a full pay check??
I suppose the Dallas PD calls that punishment?? If they do, I want to be a traffic cop for Dallas PD. I could use a cold one and a paid vacation, how about you?

Rick I would like to comment on the cop pulling the people over at the hospital. If the cop had any brains in his head he would have went into the hospital to verify weather their Mother was dying or not and let them go without question conflict.

Hi Rick, well my question is what are this creation of new jobs are for?,only for the ones who got a education or for anybody? I ask becuse now days employers only ask for high school diploma or g.e.d for jobs like folding boxes or janitor.And i ask why? why ask for history in education for this kind of jobs.What the goverment is going to do with human biengs who don't have an education and need to work for their family.

Get rid of all the unions , Make are wages in the country the same it is in India. That's what most people wont , RIGHT......... We need world wages to be the same for the new world market. Let Free Capitalism Ring.

I was wondering why people are gathering in such large numbers for the "TEA PARTY" when they should be gathering to protest the big time CEO's and bankers who got us into this mess. They are the ones who will be most affected by the new tax hikes and they should be, they are the ones who stoled money from every tax payer in the county through mortgage fraud! The president was elected to get us out of this mess and that's just what he's doing! It's the republicans who are the ones who stood by fro the mess for the last eight years and they are the one's who are whining. Ironic yes?

what if this is an action of president Obama to meet with Mexico's president so he doesn't have to deal with illegal immagration issues later.

the attacks against sonia sotomayor for the supreme court by cheney,
gingrich and limbaugh shows that a new party is in the making.
THE REPUGNANT PARTY. to qualify for membership you must be
IGNORANT, UN-AMERICAN, LIARS, SHORTSIGHTEDNESS. BIGOTED, LACK SELF ESTEEM, AND JUST PLAIN STUPID. KEEP UP THE SELF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR YOU GUYS. I LOVE IT
Pretty soon all that will be left of the republican party will be cows and
pigs. I pray that moderate republicans will not fall into this false trap
and choose to join them in the REPUGNANT PARTY.

GINGRICH, THE PILLSBURY DOUGHBOY, SHOULD STAY IN OBLIVION WHERE HE BELONGS. RUSH LIMBAUGH SHOULD BE KICKED OFF THE AIR AND GO HOME AND TAKE HIS DRUGS AND SPARE US HIS PEARLS OF WISDOM. WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT CHENEY,(THE EVIL ONE) ONLY THAT HE SHOULD GIVE UP TRYING TO REDO HIS DARK LEGACY WITH BUSH(WHO HE TOOK THE PRESIDENCY AWAY FROM) AND GO HOME AND TAKE IT LIKE A MAN. SORRY DICK, YOU DID WHAT YOU DID FOR ALL TO SEE.
WHY ISN'T G.W. BUSH SPEAKING OUT ON YOUR BEHALF? IS HE LEAVING YOU TO CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS? GO HOME AND STAY THERE ON THE PRAIRIE AND COUNT YOUR MONEY.

I don't know how true this is but I read somewhere that this administration issued six permits to coal companies to allow them to continue mountain top mining.if it is true, then I would like to know why. the pollution caused by this method of mining is monumental.
the definition of rock, debris, and rubble was changed by the former
president to FILL! allowing the debris rock and rubble to let slide down the mountain into streams of fresh water contaminating them and closing their natural flow. In N.Y. state, thats illegal. children are getting sick from their water supply, more layoffs more dirty poverty.
Couldn't a deal been struck with these companies to help prevent or stop this pollution before these permits were issued if in fact they were. Pres. obama, could you look into this for me and I pray it's not true.

Rick! Rick! i am going back and forth CNN & fox and fox is reporting bogus lies again about the James Von Braun of the holocaust museum shooting. they are trying to make it appear that the shooter was not a supremacist and that the viewers should sympathize w/ James instead of the security officer! what is going on w/ that station! why is there a tv station like fox that lies to me? why?!

Greetings Rick,

I agree with you 100%. Roman P. should be charged and convicted of rape. However, are you aware of the fact that the rape victim does not want to proceed with Roman's conviction. She want this case to "go away". What message do you have for her and what message is she giving to the public especially young girls?

Roman Polanski committed a crime. The fact he has become a world RECOGNIZED film director does not set him above the law or any of us. He knowingly compounded his crime by fleeing out of the USA to avoid imprisonment. I'm sorry the young lady dosen't want to participate, but it is now something above her desires and needs. It is pure contempt of our laws and probably other countries as well. If Polanski is freed, then why have any law or penalty at all? He may have been a young man, but he still was old enough to know what he was doing and that penalties were possible. If he had a problem with a judge (who happens to dead now), he should have remained in the USA and allowed his attornies to fight for him. He was a flight risk then and would be again.

Pres. Obama seems to be coming out of the ether finally! some important moves this week. Vets budget bill, hate crime bill, new regs for financial industry, intelligent approach to request for more troops to afghanistan tying it into a comprehensive plan. SMART! Lets not lose any more of our military. Its not worth it. Now put funds in the hands of theSBA and small community banks and sit back and watch what happens! Intervene and set limits to the wall street bonus's
A mass giveaway of our MONEY! Strip the anti-trust exemption from the health insurance companies, The consumer financial protection agency, The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Pres. Obama is the worlds way of saying Thank god and go forward and unite the world in peace. Lets leave the public option in the final health reform bill.