Reply #5: It doesn't matter who you are.

[Laelth]

Freedom to contract is protected by the Courts at low scrutiny. All the government has to have is a rational basis for infringing upon this right, and it will be allowed.

"Freedom to contract" is what Republicans used to fight the minimum wage in the FDR era. The Supreme Court struck down the first minimum wage law because it violated freedom to contract. People had the right to work for nothing, if they wanted, and the government was not allowed to infringe upon this right. FDR had to threaten to add new members to the Supreme Court to get this ruling reversed so that he could protect workers. Eventually, the Court changed its tune, and now "freedom to contract" can easily be abridged by the government. All the government needs is a rational basis and it can interfere with any contract.

We would likely win in Court if we just refused to give AIG's executives any bonuses. We own 80% of the company anyway. The whole "freedom to contract" argument is a smokescreen.

:dem:

-Laelth