That Line at the Ferrari Dealer? It's Bonus Season on Wall Street -NYT

[Rose Siding]

...The year-end bonus is a Wall Street tradition, and for a second consecutive year, the amounts are significant. Three major Wall Street firms - Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns - have reported record profits for the year and all are said to have given out handsome bonuses.
...
This year, investment bankers are expected to see gains in bonuses of 10 to 15 percent, amid a year-end flurry of mergers. Fixed-income traders, who have been the best compensated Wall Street professionals in recent years, will also be amply rewarded, but their percentage gains may be smaller than those of bankers. Bonuses, of course, vary by bank, by division and by individual. They reflect the firm's profitability and the group's performance, as well as the individual's contribution.

This year's bonuses do not quite reach the heights touched by star bankers and traders in the heyday of the late 1990's technology bubble. But they are rich enough to persuade many of Wall Street's elite to rediscover conspicuous consumption.
...
Another senior banker at a different firm, who is set to receive a $2.8 million bonus, said he had bought his wife a mink coat and was planning a weeklong skiing vacation out West. But he also said he intended to save most of the money. "We're not buying homes or boats, we're not spending on the big things," he said. "We are more relaxed and generous on the small things."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/28/business/28bonus.html?hp&ex=1104296400&en=9dbbb1a2157e9ffa&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Wilber_Stool]

1. I was watching BBC news last night

and they had a Rolls Royce commercial at the beginning. First one I've ever seen.

[vpigrad]

2. [insert picture of me throwing-up!]

WTF! These morons are paying bonuses while companies are stealing from employees! There's too many of us working for minimum wage or less (like me after you figure-in locker and uniform fees) that have had pay cuts in the past year. Why are these guys paid even more when they're already making obscene amounts of money? It doesn't make sense. Why not pay the people who actually do the work?

[RedSock]

5. where do you think the bonus $ comes from?

kick workers out the back door
watch stock price go up
tell media high stock price shows the economy is strong
give self bonuses with new profits
repeat as necessary ....

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. I was going to type what I think of this

But then I decided I don't want to be put in a wanted list so I'll keep my mouth/fingers shut.

[progressivebydesign]

4. I'm tired of whining about rich people... I've decided to become one.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

[genieroze]

6. Just vote for * and all your dreams will come true even if they are

the rest of the worlds nightmare.

[Tinoire]

7. I wonder if they'll even have a moment's thought for the Quake victims

or if they think their $0.12 share Bush is forking over is enough.

[solinvictus]

8. Wall Street...

The day there's justice in this world, the gutters on that damned address will be gushing with the blood of these parasites.

[ObamaFan2500]

9. I got a bonus but not that much

I thought that Greyhound gave the good bonuses, but it isn't close to the 2.8 these people are getting. maybe my bonus was about 95 thousand, but i bet the presidnet of the company probalby got more like 100 grand. I got a tenth of that! Talk about unfair.

[NorthernSpy]

10. oh, a mink here, a skiing holiday there: just little things, you know...

Another senior banker at a different firm, who is set to receive a $2.8 million bonus, said he had bought his wife a mink coat and was planning a weeklong skiing vacation out West. But he also said he intended to save most of the money. "We're not buying homes or boats, we're not spending on the big things," he said. "We are more relaxed and generous on the small things."

Meanwhile, people go without medicine, or give up their children because they can't afford to support them -- and nobody bats an eye...

[SoCalDem]

11. My friend's son gave him a Rolex for Christmas, and THEN announced

that he's "retiring"..(He's 37) and building a 6K sq ft house for his family and building a house for his Mom and his Dad (they're divorced)..each house will be upwards of 3K sq ft..4 bedrooms for each..with a central courtyard.. He showed us the plans tonight..Very chi-chi.. I asked him if he needed "live in help" :)

We're talking Southern california house 500K and UP.. Dad's house will be a block away from his family and Mom's house..

The son is a "financier".. or should say WAS one.. he's going to "dabble" and play golf..