[68fastback]

These are frustrating times and I'm probably the financially poorest (by far) of any of us here ...and it also gauls me that some of these execs (and athletes too, while we're grousing -lol) make the money they do.

On the other hand, I think it's dangerous to take a domestic-only view. If business were a zero-sum game, then even $$$ an executive doesn't get is more for each of us as the little guy, but that simply isn't the way it is, imo.

I'm not meaning to condone the great excesses we see everyday but what I think is much more important is the overall competitiveness of US businesses globally.

In that regard it's not a zero-sum game in two important ways:

-Successful businesses grow (invent!) the overall 'pie' by expanding the actual core and application of R&D and technology both as invention/skills/vitality and new product ...which benefits them, the country and the consumer -- business or individual alike depending on the product/service. (This is why Toyota uses Lexus to fund their technilogy food chain ...and it's a damn good car ...and then use that more broadly to compete here more successfully [just one exmple]).

-Globally competitive (best of breed) product by US corporations increase how much benefit the US derives from the overall global 'pie' more than the benefit that flows via subsidiary foreign units. (This is why the Japanese keep the prime jobs in Japan and suck profits from their foreign in-market manufacturing operations (like the US) back to support the $250K+ R&D/other-key jobs/skils in Japan, etc).

I'm generalizing, but while every country needs local business (both profit centers like mom & pop stores, construction businesses, doctors and services of all sorts; and cost-centers like schools and community services), it's government and the big corporations that have the wherewithall and course-staying power to take on and solve the big technological challenges that permit everything from NASA to nano-tech to deep medical R&D to move foreward , etc.

I'm not saying individuals don't matter -- that's what DOES matter! But it's the funding from corporate profitability that gives bright individuals the careers that enable achievement in a global arena, imo.

If we as a nation lose global competitiveness we'll be kicked back to the dark ages as a third-world has-been nation. How would we secure our nation without independently and globally succesful industries like aerospace and auotomotive (and othrers) ...critical skills to enable and support the basic security that permits our freedoms that it's all to easy to forget about but which actually have their deepest roots more in technology than in conventional bullets.

Without vibrantly competitive global businesses (including higher educational institutions) centered here in the US our ability to maintain the business leadership and attendant lifestyle we consider to be American is doomed, imho.

At least that's how I see it. (lol)