The Real Bonus Question.

President Obama (and the rest of the circus performers in Washington) are calling for blood (or taxes) in the AIG bonus scandal. I understand the civil unrest and utter disgust at the prospects of those who failed, reaping the benefits that are so obviously undeserved. It is especially disconcerting when the checks are written on the backs of tax payer dollars. Money that was honestly earned, by folks (a lot of whom are really hurting financially) preforming their civic duty: Paying taxes for the betterment of the nation.

There is no question regarding the legitimacy (or lack thereof) of these checks. It was never in the best interest of the U.S. to subsidize bonus checks to CEOs and VPs. Then again, it was never in the best interest of country for the government to buy out the banks, the auto industry, and anyone else seemingly "too big to fail". However, this is the current state of our "more perfect union". The government has suddenly become all encompassing and involved in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Due to the fact that "Big Brother" has his hand in nearly everything, corporations have to adjust their ways.

The moment they asked for government intervention, and readily accepted it, their MOs should have changed. Unfortunately, the learning curve is exactly that, a learning curve. CEOs are not accustomed to answering to anyone. Now it seems they have to answer to everyone. Talk about a seismic shift in the way they have previously conducted business. The new normal for the execs. at AIG and the likes is anything but business as usual. The adjustments into daily due diligence in corporate America does not excuse gross negligence associated with these bonus checks. Nor does it change the underlying fact, that these checks are bogus.

But, there is something larger going on here. Once again, everyone seems to be caught up in the minutia of the real issue. These checks account for less than one percent of the rescue package that AIG received. It is almost comical to me that there is such public outcry over the one percent; without a single inquiry regarding the other ninety-nine percent. Alas, the angry mob of American citizens are desperately looking for a scapegoat. Surely, someone is to blame for the economic collapse, corruption and greed. Insert CEO's and corporate fat cats. Everyone hates the uber rich guy.

The executives at AIG are an ideal target. Is it deserved? Perhaps. Probably. The real issue is not about the inevitable acceptance of remittance for a job ghastly done. Instead of questioning the funds allocated for the bonus checks, perhaps the real point in question should surround the other $169,835,000,000. After all, in the grand scheme of golden parachutes and bailout rescue packages, the bonus checks are merely pocket change. In the end, the dollar amount ascribed to those select few at AIG is rather obsolete. It is however, a symbolic message regarding the corporate greed that plagues today's society. I only wish one of those checks would miraculously fall into my pocket.

Perchance, the most interesting and dissuading aspect of this entire episode is not the bequeathing of undeserved bounties, but rather the reaction of the Washington bureaucrat. Namely, the retort dispatched by our commander in chief. Once again, PBO resorts to his favorite solution, one of extreme taxation. Yes, these checks are a joke. But, the thought of retroactive taxation laws created on a whim are anything but funny. It is downright scary.

Civil unrest should, instead, be directed towards the very idea of changing the tax codes to pacify the masses "in this one instance". Because, this one instance will likely become common practice. A common practice that will affect not only those "jerks" at AIG, but every Dick and Jane from sea to shining sea.

In the art world, the avant garde is referred to as the forerunner and the revealer. Is the AIG special tax regulation simply the forerunner and the revealer into the fate of the American taxpayer? I beseech those in Washington to take notice. What was once striking and strange (the avant garde) quickly becomes the status quo.

While I would find great pleasure going "Ram Jam style" (leg drops and head locks) on our president, his policies, and the execs. at AIG, it just wouldn't be prudent. The secret service would have my cute little bubble butt in a figure four faster than I can say stimulus package. Someone has to pose these questions to our great leader. I know it won't be the elite media. The question is: Who is willing to stand up and actually stand for what our founding fathers fought so tirelessly for? Until that date, the status quo of government procedure will become more and more disenfranchised from the very ideals that are the foundation so brilliantly laid out by those with a vision larger than themselves. Where is Thomas Jefferson when you need him?