This is a hot topic right now, especially with the Bernie Sanders political ads on the boob-tube the last few days.
There is no denying the fact that CEO's salaries have dramatically increased the last 3 to 3 1/2 decades compared to the average employee. When one looks at Lee Iacocca's salary, it's peanuts in comparison. Do today's CEO's deserve this exuberant pay? With the never ending golden parachutes to some of these very unsuccessful CEO's, a simple answer IMHO is NO. I have no problem with a Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates or any of these founders of many great companies being worth billions. My issue is if a CEO fails at his job does he deserve a pay package at the expense of other employees and shareholders? And these stock options not hurting or count towards the bottom line? Really? Okay, whatever.
Having said this, I'm also a believer that you can give some people millions and they'd still end up broke no matter what--there is a reason why some people can create wealth for themselves and others cannot, even through good old fashion luck. It just doesn't give anyone the right to lie, cheat and steal on any level and that includes those participating within the welfare system.
There is no denying the fact that CEO's salaries have dramatically increased the last 3 to 3 1/2 decades compared to the average employee. When one looks at Lee Iacocca's salary, it's peanuts in comparison. Do today's CEO's deserve this exuberant pay? With the never ending golden parachutes to some of these very unsuccessful CEO's, a simple answer IMHO is NO. I have no problem with a Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates or any of these founders of many great companies being worth billions. My issue is if a CEO fails at his job does he deserve a pay package at the expense of other employees and shareholders? And these stock options not hurting or count towards the bottom line? Really? Okay, whatever.
Having said this, I'm also a believer that you can give some people millions and they'd still end up broke no matter what--there is a reason why some people can create wealth for themselves and others cannot, even through good old fashion luck. It just doesn't give anyone the right to lie, cheat and steal on any level and that includes those participating within the welfare system.