Here is a debate question for Bob Scheiffer -- (Exec comp out of hand)

[hansolsen]

While middle class inflation adjusted, after tax salaries have stagnated, executive compensation has skyrocketed, and to make matters worse the upper tax brackets have been ratcheted down under Bush. So here is the question (and some variants) that I hope Bob addresses to both candidates, but certainly to Bush:

Mr. Bush: " A generation ago CEOs of major corporations made what about 50 of their employees made. They now make what 500 of their employees make and about 1000 times what people earning minimum wage make. (Frame this by talking about one CEO of a major HMO or drug company making more money than all the nurses aides in Tempe, Arizona, for example).

A. Do you think this is fair?

B. Is this crop of CEOs 10 times more effective than their predecessors?

C. Do you consider growing income disparity to be a serious national problem, and if so, what do you propose to do about it?

D. Do you know the difference between the politics of envy, and the politics of fairness and equity?

E. Do you know who Robespierre is?

John Kerry, by the way, may very well get such a question on Wednesday -- is he prepared to answer it?

1. Raise minimum wage.

2. Raise taxes on top 2%.

3. Increase Federal spending on education.

4. Strengthen Labor Unions.

5. Curtail Illegal immigration, while expanding legal immigration.

6. Stop outsourcing of jobs and demand fair trade, not free trade.

7. Define "unfettered" capitalism as the law of the jungle.

etc.

[John_H]

1. Here's a debate question TO Bob

Bob, do you think it's appropriate to inform the voters watching the debate that your brother is serving as Chimp's ambassador to Australia as a reward for his being a Bush Pioneer?

[hansolsen]

2. Good point. Thanks. Hans