Is the President paid too little or are CEOs paid too much?

Question

Forbes recently posted the salaries of the top 10 executives. The #1 has an annual sarlary of $686 Million dollars. The #10 guy got $98 million dollars. The President of the United States salary is $200 thousand. The president's current salary would put him at number 785 on the list of the 800 highest paid corporate chief executive officers.

Now does this seem right to you? CEOs are responsible for one company and they make that much more than the President of the US?

Many professional athletes have salaries larger than the President and they only play a game. I haven't looked it up but how many pro athletes have larger salaries then the President. I know it's a lot. The President gets held responsible for everything that happens and he doesn't have control of very much.

Should THIS be something Congress should be looking into? And what should they be doing, if anything?

Answer 1

With what little he has to work with and the opposition he is facing; I would not want President Bush's job for a million tax free dollars a day. Even with all the pain-in-the-butts he has to put up with every day, GB is doing a damn good job!

Answer 2

You can see from the rants below that conservatives don't agree with your decision. Economists have been saying for years that the biggest cause of our Federal deficits are the Bush tax cuts. Then throw in $2Billion a week in Iraq. Tax cuts that mostly benefited the rich in this country. Those tax cuts are set to expire, but there will be a very big fight by Republicans to keep them in place. It is a problem. If we raise taxes on everyone, they'll have less disposable income to buy stuff, less stuff will be made, fewer jobs will be created. On the other hand, the rich people that got Republicans tax cuts didn't go out and spend all that money on "stuff" or create jobs for the middle class. Wages for the middle class were stagnant during the Bush administration. Obama's plan is to let the tax cuts for the wealthy (and you can define that however you want) expire, so more money is collected to run the country. And keep taxes low for low/middle income people who are often young people, starting a family, establishing a home and buying "stuff."

Answer 3

the idea is public service.
that notwithstanding the initial yearly salary is but the tip of the iceberg .20,000 dollar speaking engagements the lifetime pension,and other factors make it a lucrative job ..but is it worth it .would your really want to know every little dirty secret the u.s. has and not be able to talk about it with anyone? indeed even the president has superiors with the ability to keep him quiet.have you ever noticed how much a president ages in 4 years .they don't do it for the money its a duty.

Answer 4

Hahaha... you think that the salary is all these politicians get? C'mon...

As far as corporate executive salaries are concerned, yes they are paid too much. No, congress should not do anything to tamper with the free market economy.

Answer 5

Jeff H has the right answer. Politicians laugh at the salary but the power lines their pockets from every direction.

Answer 6

Congress cannot control CEO salaries. They just like to make political capital by denouncing it.

Answer 7

The president and most CEO's are all paid far too much for what they do. Professional athletes are paid beyond imagination. All of these help fuel the inflation that creates harder times for all.

Answer 8

The pres is paid tooo little.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 9

Government officials should never make as much as the president does, including the president him/herself. The more financial incentives you have in government, the more corrupt it inevitably becomes.

Answer 10

no, and no.
pres is a voluntary public service (and you didn't factor in the "perks".)
free market is exactly that-FREE to do as it wishes.