Obama Blasts ‘Shameful’ Bonuses

Staff / Truthdig Jan 30, 2009 The president is famous for his even disposition, but he appears to be flat-out pissed at the news that Wall Street bankers showered themselves with bonuses while helping drive the economy into a ditch. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bankers Took Home Billions While Wall Street Burned

Staff / Truthdig Jan 29, 2009 If you're in a good mood, you may just want to skip this bit of news from The New York Times: "Despite crippling losses, multibillion-dollar bailouts and the passing of some of the most prominent names in the business, employees at financial companies in New York collected an estimated $184 billion in bonuses for the year" Update. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Fun With Bailout Hearings: Know Your Treasury Chumps

Staff / Truthdig Nov 16, 2008 It's clear from this monologue by Rep. Elijah Cummings that, when he wonders aloud if Neel Kashkari is a "chump" for enabling companies like AIG to hand out huge executive bonuses while seeking federal bailout money, Cummings already knows the answer. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Just How Fat Are Wall Street’s Fat Cats?

Staff / Truthdig Oct 7, 2008 Sure, we've all heard the stories about Wall Street bigwigs lining their pockets with gold dubloons while the rest of us scramble to save pennies, but The New York Times has drawn out that contrast in graphic detail with a handy series of charts showing the total earnings (including bonuses) of 12 top executives from 2003-2007. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Lehman Bros. Paid Execs Millions as Company Tanked

Staff / Truthdig Oct 6, 2008 On Monday, the House Oversight and Reform Committee took a look into the collapse of Lehman Brothers as part of a larger review of the factors leading to the current economic crisis, and it wasn't a pretty sight. Judging by the committee's account, leaders at Lehman Bros. disregarded key warnings of impending trouble and cut hefty checks for their fellow executives even as the firm teetered on the brink of disaster. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Army Throws Cash at Recruitment Problem

Staff / Truthdig Aug 10, 2007 In an effort to combat ever dwindling enthusiasm among America's youths for a career in the military, the Army is enlarging its recruitment staff, loosening age and criminal record restrictions and offering more cash bonuses, such as $45,000 tax-free to buy a house. Last year the Army spent $1 billion on bonuses and advertisements. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )