WJ this morning: What are your thoughts on a special tax

[malaise]

on AIG bonuses?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Go for it. 100% tax should be about right

because I don't think 150% would fly.

Bonus payment for botching the job? sign me up!

[soothsayer]

2. i prefer clawbacks

[malaise]

3. I prefer prison

for fraud. I like the caller who suggested that the RICO act should put them all in prison.

[mod mom]

7. I like the RICO charges. If knowingly defrauding the government isn't racketeering,

then I don't know what is. They threatened the entire collapse of the economy if they weren't given billions. From wiki:

RICO offenses

Under the law, racketeering activity means:
Any violation of state statutes against gambling, murder, kidnapping, arson, robbery, bribery, extortion, dealing in obscene matter, or dealing in a controlled substance or listed chemical (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act);
Any act of bribery, counterfeiting, theft, embezzlement, fraud, dealing in obscene matter, obstruction of justice, slavery, racketeering, gambling, money laundering, commission of murder-for-hire, and several other offenses covered under the Federal criminal code (Title 18);
Embezzlement of union funds;
Bankruptcy or securities fraud;
Drug trafficking;
Money laundering and related offenses;
Bringing in, aiding or assisting aliens in illegally entering the country (if the action was for financial gain);
Acts of terrorism.

[meegbear]

4. A special class of people deserve a special tax ...

fuck 'em.

[F.C.James]

5. Call them all before Congress

and then order them to return the money. If they refuse, find them in contempt of Congress and put them in jail until they comply. Congress has that power.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Put A Face To The Story

I agree...let people see the face and names of those who truly have failed...were responsible for this collapse. While one can get angry at a company, it focuses a lot more when you can put a face and name to that abuse.

These slimeballs are used to working in the dark, under the radar...a bit of light is truly the best disinfectant here.

Welcome to DU...

:hi:

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

8. The Supreme Court might disagree.

Unless of course Congress passed some law first.

David

[KharmaTrain]

9. Even Then There Will Be A Challenge...

I'm trying to look up the exact term...but while Congress can write any law it wants, it can't be targeted at a specific person. I recall this being brought up at the time of the Schaivo circus that making a special case rule could be considered discrimination and thus challenged in court.

I'm with those that say let these goons sue for their raises...let's see their faces...get them on public record (preferably in front of a camera) explaining why they were justified, and in turn, also their roles in this mess would be exposed.

[dysfunctional press]

10. i'm against it.

[Belial]

11. You will have to toss in a few senators and the President as well

in a lawsuit.. as they are the ones that passed the law with the provision in it that allowed them to have the bonuses..