The Black Liberal Boomer Blog

I'm glad Ford is rehiring but DAMN

So as we celebrate Labor Day? Yeah, well I thought this recent piece by MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnellchronicling the obscene profit levels and salaries being enjoyed by corporate CEOs might help put things into perspective down here on the ground. You can click on the following link to view the entire piece, which would be well worth your time. It's short, but powerful.

Lawrence O\'Donnell

As a Detroiter, particularly a Detroiter who, like most Detroiters, was thrilled to see the Big Three auto companies rehiring workers, I confess I almost swallowed my tongue when Lawrence got to the part about how much loot Ford CEO Alan Mulally is pulling down for an annual salary. Mulally is pocketing $26 million PER YEAR as head man for Ford Motor Company. And not only that, but Ford didn't pay any taxes last year. Matter of fact, they got a damned refund.

I know Ford didn't take the bailout, and hooray for them, I suppose, that they were able to navigate a way through their financial mess without having to climb aboard the government life raft. And sure it's much better for the local, regional, even national economy that they managed to survive rather than slip over the edge. But is any singular human being really worth a $26 million annual salary? Especially when the rest of the country is struggling on life support? I mean, what the hell can any one individual do that makes him/her worth that kind of salary? Exactly how do they calculate that?

No, I'm not suggesting that Mulally give all his money to the poor and renounce all his worldly possessions. What I am saying, however, is simply that now might be a good time for Ford to acknowledge that they are at least vaguely aware of the economic conditions being faced by the rest of us in Michigan. Once again, I am not ignoring the fact that they are rehiring, nor am I ignoring whatever other positive contributions they may be making to the community. But all that being said, there is no way around the fact that for Ford to be paying their top dog $26 million in this economy while getting a tax refund just doesn't quite send the message to your ordinary Michigan resident that they 'get it'.

The real message? Imagine a towering, extended middle finger. Now imagine that middle finger cast in solid gold with a diamond ring encircling the extended digit. Now ain't dat lovin' you?

This is being cross-posted at Black Liberal Boomer and Detroit Life.

Posted by Detroit Monster

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I'm glad Ford is rehiring but DAMN