Greed

A recent topic in the media transpired relating to CEO compensation. There is all this talk about whether they deserve it or don’t deserve it. From one side, they are risk takers and they give people an incentive to aspire to their cushy positions. On the other side, and also the preference from the media perspective, the movement is toward equal distribution of wealth where the greedy C level executives don’t walk away with profits that are thousand times greater than the workers who more often than not work harder than their superiors.
I personally don’t think it really matters whether they deserve it or not. However they got to it, they worked hard for it and that’s all that matters. Does it seem fair that Hollywood celebrities make millions for movies that (other than dull entertainment) don’t really supply economic value to the viewer? There are, after all, numerous people employed at the studios ranging from writers to sound technicians who don’t equally share in the profits generated from any successful film.
Is it fair that a select number of sports figures who, despite the plague of scandals, serve as role models for our children and make unbelievable amounts of money and likewise don’t improve the viewer’s lifestyle?
I’m confused as to why the C’s or I-bankers have become the media target, where technically they are vilified for just being good at what they do. Unlike Hollywood celebrities or sports figures, they directly contribute to individual’s wealth. They add jobs, provide health and retirement benefits and make sure corporations operate, grow and compete.
Perhaps it’s the economy that brought this focus on to them? As our politicians, conservatives and liberals alike, look to point a finger they should really focus their time on making policy improvements to diminish the deficit and promote domestic production. Perhaps instead of lobbying the media, they can lobby the CEO’s or the I-bankers to figure out how to better run our country?

The Hood

The last day of March was marked by a beautiful day in Chicago with temperatures above 75 degrees. Kids are on spring break so mom decided to take Pie for walk to the grocery store. Before leaving on their little excursion, my 10 year old grabbed a knife from the kitchen and assured my mom by saying “Don’t worry grandma, I know where to keep this so no one will be able to see it.” When I came back from work I couldn’t hear the end of it: “What is wrong with you? Scaring a child like that!!! Sure there are kidnappings, but you can’t live your life like that everyday!!!” On the inside I was quite pleased with Pie taking the extra precautions, but on the outside I cringed about the unpleasantness of the situation that escalated into an amicable argument. In my defense there was abduction in our town only a year or so ago. Also, one of Chicago’s worst ghettos is only a few blocks away with the fallout spilling in everyday. To substantiate my precautionary initiatives, I decided to play Mrs. Kravitz when I came home. Although, I didn’t find any of the usual hood looms wobbling over to Mickey D’s, I did spot my neighbor’s boyfriend washing his car with paper towels and a bottle of Windex. I realize that Windex hardly qualifies as a dangerous weapon, but it does goes to show what type of people live around us. There is serious doubt in my mind that any normal guys who live in the posh North Shore suburbs would ever pull as stunt like that.