Arianna Discusses Outrage Over AIG Bonuses, Obama Administration's Response On "Larry King"

Arianna appeared on "Larry King Live" tonight to discuss the national outrage over the bonuses distributed by AIG and the Obama administration's handling of the situation. Co-panelists included Ben Stein, GOP Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier.

[WATCH]

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Comments

[genrommel]

I am glad Ms. Huffington spoke out regarding this national outrage against AIG bonuses. Earlier in the year I wrote to my State Senator expressing my concern and anger over how these companies were obtaining taxpayer money and then turning around and spending it wrecklessly. I also expressed concern that he should help ensure that companies that obtain future taxpayer dollars spend it responsibly. Americans pay taxes every day and many never ask for a handout. Many have lost their job and have to still pay taxes on their unemployment benefits only to give some of it to the very companies that apparently contributed greatly to the current financial situation. Of course I did not have a courtesy of a reply by my senator and the mess continues with AIG and others with little or no government oversight. Now Senator Dodd of CT and others play dumb with regar to the current AIG bonuses. It's perplexing how Senator Dodd points the finger at Treasury and they on the other hand point the finger at Congress over how language in legislation that possibly could have prevented the AIG bonus fiasco was removed. Of course Dodd did not want to bite the hand that feeds him! This all makes one seriously ponder how our government works and to realize that when our officials talk out against the corruption of other governments they are only full of gas!

[Plebean]

What's with Bachmann and her perma grin? God I can't stand that woman.

[Graham Green]

Well, Obama just got a bunch of Republicans to vote for a tax increase... Hmmmmmm.

[care4mypeeps]

Thank you Arrianan for your boldnes in speaking out in and appropriate manner as you get the Obama Administrations ear. All this Anger and Outrage is healthy because No One has lost their heads but have kept our focus and the message simple.

President Obama has taken responsibility for the failure of those in his Administration that dropped the ball and allowed a bill that would cap retainment bonuses to slip through their fingers.

We must continue to raise our voices to keep these criminal Executives of AIG and other financial Institutions who raided the hard earned money that law abiding citizens worked for and put away for retirement.

Our money was all gone in a moment through the shady business dealings and yearly money grabs
that pillaged us into oblivion. My husband and I don't even mention our 401k because it took an
unbelievable hit so we do the next best thing by being proactive and let our voices be heard.

[PhilipTaylor]

CORRUPT CULTURE OF WALL STREET MUST RETURN TO THE POST 1929 CRASH - FDR ERA!

Whatever happened to people like my Grandfather, an Honest Banker, who lived through the Depression and would not go home until every penny was accounted for even if it was Midnight!

Now we do allow "Off-the-Books" accounting by these WS Banks! And other violations of accounting practices!

He did not risk people's money on stupid Bets or Over Leveraging and he worked until he was 75 and was never called Corrupt and was respected by everyone he knew.

Where is that kind of Banker?

Who the HECK are these people on Wall Street that feel America OWES them $TRILLIONS to repair their TOXIC WASTE and pay their $Multi-Million incomes?

[tenzenz]

It was great to hear some civil, knowledgeable, & sensible debate that was based in facts & not ideaolgy or wrongheadedness, when Huffington & Stern were discussing the topic last night. Bachman, what a joke, you should marry Limbaugh, He could really put your useless mouth to good use & then the public would not have to listen to you anymore

[KennyFox]

All investors watch out...cuz if the congress rescinds that AIG contract, the market will tank. Time to buy super shorts again.

[KennyFox]

extortion...thats what these pigs really do. lets face it now.

[ModeratePoliticalJunkie]

GEITHNER IS TO OBAMA

AS

RUMSFELD WAS TO BUSH

[Minotaurus]

I agree with Ariana.
The president needs to show that he can do what the people want in this case and stop the bailout of the banks and Wall Street.

[Castklearr]

Mark ain't buying it!

[jazzycafe]

Ms. Bachmann, cheer the heck up! You look so depressed.

[kdublya]

So, we're supposed to ignore earmarks b/c they're 1-2% of the bailouts & stimulus.

But along comes a bonus pool comprising 0.08% of AIG's package and holy he// is let loose?

Puhlease, there are bigger fish to fry.

[motoGpifupleez]

Ralph Nader was just on DemocracyNow! with Amy Goodman. Pointed out the fact that when auto companies are in trouble, they always force the workers to accept contract breaches. Now we have to hear this blather that AIG MUST pay the bonuses because it was in the contract. Mr. Nader correctly points out that "We The People" are now the majority shareholders and should act as such.
I second his call for the dismissal of Tim Geithner, I know Mr. Nader would never suggest himself for the position, but he is exactly the man who should be heading up this mess. One thing is sure, if Mr. Nader were the man in charge, American Citizens would not be the ones being hosed by this fiasco.
President Obama needs to clean out the Corporate criminals that infest the bailout project.
I am not pleased with the fact that President Obama has allowed the ones who got us into this mess to now be allowed to make the rules on how to get out. It's OK to admit a mistake. Do it, and bring in a true investigator like Ralph Nader to deal with these criminals. My 2012 is on the line for you, President Obama.

[sshaler]

I've always been baffled at why the US hasn't elected Ralf Nader President. You have a man of such proven integrity and dedication and keep ignoring and even ridiculing him even after he's made many of the real safety contributions that your society now believes in after he faught for them...??? He represents reality as opposed to all this hot air talk, talk, talk going on about saving corrupt and collapsed financial institutions that should never have been created in the first place.

[AndyatHP]

In this case, Arianna is dead wrong and should know what she is talking about. How long has Obama been in office? What? Two months? If these bonuses are a done deal, what else can he do to legally take the money back? Common now, we are a nation of laws. The money was provided by BUSH with no strings, yet we expect Obama to fix it by breaking the law and changing tax codes for a political purpose? This is like the Terry Schivo incident where everyone is up in arms, and starts wanting to violate peoples rights to assauge citizen anger. If these execs got oney based upon contracts, so be it, but lets fix it so that it wont happen again. Arianna says Obama looks impotent, but, he may very well be when it comes to this situation. The economy is huge, and has millons of lines of regs and requirements, so lets show some restraint when this stuff pops up, and fix it. Lets stop letting the media and Republicans feed us stuff to be upset about. Arianna is dead wring t single this out as something to be furious about. We all need to grow up. Evereytime something pops up we dont like, should we change the laws and bend the rules to satisfy the public? NOOOO!!! We shouldnt be operating off headlines and hot button topics of the day