Bailout Bonus Rage Hits The Streets (VIDEO)

Rage over $165 million in bonuses for employees of bailout-beneficiary American International Group spilled into the streets Thursday when over 100 people protested outside AIG's K Street office in Washington, D.C.

"AIG, you can't hide, we can see your greedy side!" chanted the protesters, many of whom carried purple signs made by the Service Employees International Union. The group marched in front of the large office building for 30 minutes, shaking soda cans filled with pebbles and chanting continuously. "They waste money -- with no shame -- bail out bankers -- that's just lame!"

The event, organized by the SEIU and others, including MoveOn.org and ACORN, was part of a nationwide effort to protest local AIG offices in 32 states. (If you're attending one of the other demonstrations, report back and/or send us photos.)

Standing in front of an oversized "reality check," SEIU president Andy Stern addressed the crowd with a bullhorn.

"We're here today because after 25 years of corporate excess, of greed, of speculation, these corporate leaders have brought the greatest economy on earth to its knees," he said. "It is time to end an economy that only works for some and make this an economy that works for all Americans."

"They give out a lot of checks at AIG, but we have a check," Stern said. "It's a reality check! From the American people to AIG!"

The crowd chanted as Stern, surrounded by media, walked with the check into the building lobby.

WATCH:

Organizers left the big check in a lobby window, but it bounced; building workers removed it immediately. And a man in the doorway told protesters as they began to leave that he wasn't giving his bonus back.

The SEIU shot some video as well.

Comments

[royevatom]

What a pitiful protest. It is now obvious that an unrestrained and unconditional financial bailout of the major corporations was and is a mistake. Unfortunately President Obama has seen fit to follow the plans of the previous administration which is turning out to be a major mistake. We all seem to be amazed at the fact that the wealthy and entitled continue to walk away with millions when just a short while ago we all agreed that pay and compensation for enriching others and yourself was a good thing. Unrestrained expansion, massive national debt, consumer consumption as never seen before. Public debt at levels that are beyond belief. Bad Foreign Policy, dysfunctional Intelligence Community, eight years of disastrous leadership and non - government, war in two countries and the financial cost of modern warfare, blah, blah, blah. I just want to know "where are all the pissed off people I hear about". The truth is the Fiscal Policies and Expanding Economy, Debt Creation, Consumerism, National Debt, Foreign Policy, War, blah, blah, blah are just a part of who we are. Don't think so? How about Napalm, Agent Orange, Carpet Bombing blah, blah, blah.

[JaneK13]

It's not just the union people who will be protesting. American citizens all over the country are digusted with this corrupt congress (from both parties). Fiscal conservatives are lookin' real good these days. People with solid business experience are lookin' good for congress. Let's hope we can throw ALL the bums out. The Air Force wants its plane back!

Americans are disappointed with the direction being taken by the new president, too.. We knew he didn't have any executive, management or business experience, but we hired him to be our CEO anyway because he convinced us he could do the job. Shouldn't he be in the Oval Office working? Instead, he's on the road campaigning. H-E-L-P! Somebody please tell him he won -- it's time to go to work. Show us some leadership!

[wdw505]

he does not know how.......

[000Jade000]

RIght . . . we should've found a brainless MBA like Bush.

Obama is an EXCELLENT leader and has already done more good than his predecessor did in 8 whole years. Stop watching Faux News and pay attention to the world around you,

[inorbit]

JaneK13 - it's called working. We haven't seen a President do that for eight years. Obama works hard and part of the work is communicating to the people what he is doing and encouraging them to stay involved in the process. One of his messages yesterday was telling people who paid so much attention to the campaign to stay involved and active in politics - to keep pushing for the change we want in education and health care.

And that's exactly what we are going to do.

[trendier]

My friends I think it's time for revolution. Since there are so many people out of work we all should be taking to the streets and protesting this bailouts.

[masshysteria123]

http://www.pubrecord.org/law/777-roves-posts-answers-to-siegelman-prosecution-questions-on-his-website.html

Rove Posts Answers to Siegelman Prosecution Questions On His Website

Karl Rove has not yet been deposed by the House Judiciary Committee concerning his role in the firings of nine U.S. Attorneys and the alleged political prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, but that hasn’t stopped the former White House political adviser from trying to get ahead of the panel’s queries pertaining to Siegleman.

[naschkatze]

Finally, I hope, we ARE mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore. Another blog, I think Talking Points Memo, has several headlines group together. In one Axelrod is saying that people are not paying attention to the AIG story, but immediately following it, there is a headline saying that 88% of the people are talking about it. I think the Obama administration is in a bubble already.

[liberalbug]

This is great to see people so fired up, but where these people need to be marching, where we all need to be marching, is on congress.

[sleeperd]

As long as Obama/Pelosi/Frank can keep the citizenry deluded into this AIG frenzy, they and their fellow democrapic vampires can keep sucking trillions out of hard-working Americans to fund their liberal fantasies.

This witch hunt makes Joe McCarthy look a Boy Scout.

[SueInCA]

Like the rethuglicans did with Iraq? At least Obama/Frank/Pelosi are not killing people.

[Bosfarcal]

Rush Limbaugh recently blasted Dem efforts to get the names of the AIG bonus recipients as “McCarthyism.”

Fox News followed suit, also comparing Dems to “Joe McCarthy.”

Now comes Sleepard - right on cue:

"This witch hunt makes Joe McCarthy look a Boy Scout."

A true dittohead in action.

[MossyOak]

Yes, please drag out the McCarthy Boogeyman Talking Point. Relevance = zero.

[DangerWillRobinson]

Hey! That's my line!

Danger Will Robinson! Danger!!

Who replaces your power pack? Rush? Shepard?

[inorbit]

It's not a witch hunt - it's *itch hunt.

[skymuffin]

The more egregious bonuses were the ones at Merrill Lynch. Publish the names. All of them.

[Eyeswideopen1]

Then what, rape their children?

[SueInCA]

as Serge said in BH Cop, don't be stupid

[sleeperd]

The AIG CEO read from an e-mail threat yesterday in which someone wanted the names of their wives and children made public so they could go after them with piano wires.

These left-wing democrapic hypocrites are sickening.

[SueInCA]

I don't understand why people were not screaming about Merrill? Probably cuz bushie was on the way out and it would not have been good political press to kick him on the way out the door?

[dgscol]

Geithner is working on another bailout package. Don't you think they should pass a regulation or two first, and how about restructuring? Isn't that essential to the proper functioning of these banks? If Geithner tries to go ahead with more bailout money, people definitely must ask for his resignation.

[goodog]

100 protesters?

In DC?

Over AIG?

I'm reminded of the 1960's economic sensibility Dr. Evil's brought when he held the safety of the entire world for ransom in the 1990s...

...for "one MILLLLLLLLLION dollars!"


Be sure to hold your pinky to the corner of your mouth when you say, "one HUNNNNNNNDRED protestors!"

[MoeGigz]

If anyone asked, I can give you the SOLUTION to the situation we find ourselves in. Just ask!

[SueInCA]

ok, asking?

[MoeGigz]

My last post was deleted...ummm Anyway Google "Industrial Hemp" Peep the first 50 links and you will say...WTF?

[JesusIsALie]

I 2nd!

[Carolab]

RASMUSSEN POLL

68% Say Bailout Money Is Going To Those Who Caused The Economic Crisis
Thursday, March 19, 2009

With public outrage building over bonuses paid to executives of the bailed-out American International Group (AIG), 68% of Americans now believe most of the taxpayer money given out as bailouts is going to the very people who created the country’s current economic crisis.

PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION AND THEY ARE OUTRAGED!!!

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/federal_bailout/68_say_bailout_money_is_going_to_those_who_caused_the_economic_crisis

[wdw505]

good

[sueinmn]

Whyis that good?

[wdw505]

i love to see outrage go to good use.......­especially on politicians

[MoMick]

It is quite possible that 68% of of Americans couldn't find their armpits while blindfolded.

Read the TARP law, read the stuck-down Dodd amendment and get informed before you light your torches and storm the castle!

[JesusIsALie]

I'm torn, I like to see people get involved, however, the entire system is broken and yelling on the street is not going to fix anything. It's easy to get people riled up in a moment of anger.

I can't help but feel like there's a lot going on that we're unaware of. This feels like a Sleight of hand artist at work... look at AIG, they took our money and gave it to the people that made the company fail. While the other hand is doing something much bigger!

I get the feeling that this is all a distraction from the real story of how our savings and our future is much more danger! For those of us fortunate enough to have what little savings we do have...

[johnie2xs]

But sometimes it's not until some people see images like these, that they will admit to its significance. And the visceral experience of seeing it, for those at the site but not taking part, is even more affective. It has to start somewhere.

Good Show!!

[JesusIsALie]

Totally agree, and that's why I find myself torn!

[SueInCA]

This is all a lie. It is the biggest ponzi scheme ever in the world. And we as taxpayers are the suckers. If the MSM would do their job, this whole scheme could be uncovered but that is going to be left to some obscure person and when it comes out, they will all cry he/she is a fake.

[sueinmn]

I honestly believe that today no one in congress can be trusted if lobby money is presented to them to do the correct thing for the people anymore. This is all of Congress, party affiliation just doesn't matter. This will prevent Obama from being sucessful. Congress dilutes everything down to the point that laws are full of loop holes or are simply uneffective. WE need to somehow find a way that none of this can be tolerated any longer. The lobbyers are alining themselves now with the Dems on the EFCA and health care issues. How do we end this political bribery?

[eirrac]

Maybe we need to have some crowds show up to tell Congress how we feel about lobby money and pallin' around with lobbyists. Most of the really powerful lobbyists are aligned with the GOP...unfortunately they're harder to stop.

[SueInCA]

Yeah, tent city on the capitol mall

[MoeGigz]

Don't Panic...We have a lot of independent researchers like myself, that are looking in to the histories of those that are trying to stop the American people from getting their fair share. i.e. (D) Senator Blanche Lincoln's father was a board member of Riceland Foods Inc. (Jordan Lambert Jr), the largest rice miller in the world. One of the largest recipients of the farm subsidies that this bill tries to curtail. Add to that, Anheuser-Busch is their biggest client, with connections to ALL of the industries affected by this Bill. That's just about 15 minutes of looking. There is a lot more...So, Get to work!

Google is your friend ;-)

[SueInCA]

Try tracing the Bushes and see what you get. You are on the right track though. I am doing the same thing.

[endworldhunger]

In an increasingly intertwined world, domestic policies in one country (usually wealthy ones) often increase poverty in other nations (usually poor ones). By all accounts the U.S. could do more good for developing nations by changing domestic policies than it does with the amount going to international aid. When developing countries export to rich-country markets, they face tariff barriers that are four times higher than those encountered by rich countries. According to The Borgen Project those barriers cost them $100 billion a year - twice as much as they receive in aid. Beyond costing taxpayers billions of dollars a year, corporate welfare often devastates impoverished nations. A report by Oxfam found the United States could do more good for Africa by eliminating subsidies to the U.S. Cotton Industry than it does with aid to all of Africa.

[wdw505]

time to cancel all aid and subsidies