Las Vegas Sun

February 3, 2012

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Letter to the editor:

U.S. shouldn’t reward fiscal irresponsibility

Barry Barney, Las Vegas

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 | 2:01 a.m.

Isn’t it amazing that AIG gets $150 billion when our “Big Three” automakers are struggling to survive, when the automakers are asking for $50 billion to help them stay out of possible bankruptcy. If any of them were to go under, and it could happen, think of how many people, good people, would be out of work and how it would affect America.

AIG has shown its irresponsibility by its upper echelon and I guess the initial $75 billion didn’t go too far, what with their executives’ ridiculous salaries, bonuses and high-cost parties, etc. Must be nice to be rewarded for failure.

I guess if one does a good job, all he or she gets is a pat on the back and a “job well done.” If they make it to retirement with the company, and don’t get laid off, they will get a gold tone Timex and not a solid gold Rolex.

However, since they are taxpayers’ dollars, they should have been given back to those who contributed this money, to help the American worker.

For this kind of money, how many hardworking Americans could keep their homes and keep food on the table for their families that they have worked so hard for? For just a little financial aid they could survive and get through the crisis as it is today.

It is true that many people overextended themselves, are in houses they really can’t afford, have fancy cars they can’t afford and are accruing high credit card debt. They made the situation themselves and should be held personally responsible.

The same should hold true for the “big companies” that are now in trouble. Rather than reward failure with a proverbial, financial Band-Aid, let them figure out what to do.

When the $700 billion bailout is all spent, then what?

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