Are CEO's Overpaid?!?

Do you think U.S. CEOs are overpaid?

Dogged by criticism of his hefty pay and his company’s poor stock performance, Bob Nardelli abruptly resigned Wednesday as chairman and chief executive of The Home Depot Inc. after six years at the helm of the world’s largest home improvement store chain.

But he didn’t leave empty-handed: the Atlanta-based company said Nardelli would receive a severance package worth roughly $210 million, an amount decried by some lawmakers as a golden parachute that sends the wrong message to investors.

I don't know the details of this resignation such as how much he grew Home Depot, how much profit he brought the company, or the details in the $210 million severance package - so I'm not going to comment in depth on this particular incident, but rather use the story as a rough example.

Are our business owners making too much money?

Ask me that question during my high school and college years and I would've definitely said yes. I remember being outraged at the thought of someone making millions of dollars while I was making minimum wage. Then something happened after college...

I got a real job - and I have attempted to start my own companies in the meantime.

One thing I have learned in the "real world" is that you can make good money with your college degree and honest efforts - but if you want to make the kind of money that will ensure you do not live paycheck to paycheck, allow you to live your life on your own terms, and to hopefully leave behind a business your children can follow in your footsteps with you're going to have to really bust your butt and start your own company.

Should all of your time, your risks, your financial obligations, your education (school or self-taught) be leveled out because those who have not put forth those same efforts don't see your monetary compensation as fair? I don't believe so.

Here's an analogy... You pay attention in class, you do your homework, and you study for you tests. For those efforts you're rewarded with a 4.0 GPA. Now you have me sitting in the back of the class, sleeping during lecture time, not turning in my homework, and failing most of my tests. I'm lucky to leave that class with a 1.0 GPA. Would you be willing to split your GPA to even me out with your own? That wouldn't be fair at all.

If you believe that everyone should be on a level "reward scale" you're a socialist. No, I'm not saying that as an offensive gesture - that's exactly what socialism stands for.

Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to social control.

I believe that everyone feels that a democracy is the best way to go about many things in life. We decide on our leaders, we decide where to go out to eat with friends and we choose with the decisions we make where we want our life to head.

So if you're not happy with a certain company, their policies, or how much their owners make - vote with your wallet and don't shop there. Don't just sit back and complain that someone else do something about it, that they make laws to create a level "reward scale" - you do something about it. Quit being lazy.

Why is the CEO getting paid millions? The money comes from somewhere and with business it comes from consumers like me and you. Why are NBA players getting paid millions? Because consumers like me and you are buying their jerseys and watching their games.

How come you and I aren't making the millions?

• Is it because the opportunity is not there?
• Is it because someone else is stopping us from making more of ourselves?

Based on the millions who have worked and made something for themselves and are making the millions regardless of their backgrounds, their gender, their race, their age, etc... I believe the answer to those questions is "NO". We just need to quit making excuses, quit relying on other people to give us the means, and do things ourselves.
“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Ben Franklin

“If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10