Grasso Gets His, But Age of 'Conspicuous Consumption' Is Over

Still don't understand the mindset of a person who is outraged when they are paid say 40 million vs 175 million. How do they determine that.

Hank Rearden should give more to charity, too. He is a mean man.

how much will Grasso pay in taxes on that money? How many loopholes will he find?

Grasso did well for the NYSE and should be paid accordingly. Compared to some CEOs his pay was in-line. It;s his money, let HIM determine what he does with it.

you sound like a bunch of bitter, petty, resentful underacheivers. you cut your best deal and take what you can. we decide that is over, so is our US of A. Belive it or not, some people in the world would think 30K a year is criminal to make. It's all relative. Grow up

You think Grasso ordered up an Emperor's VIP special to celebrate just to rub it in to Spitzer?

Citicorp lost 6.9 billion, their CEO Chuck Price made 250 million dollar............. I want that job too, the least I can do is just lost 6.8 billion and I should get paid 350 million? .............. Merrill Lynch lost 5.2 billion and their CEO made 180 million....... the list goes on and on.........

If you sign a contract, you should have to follow-through. Other people's value judgements don't belong in a contract negotiation. NYSE had the responsibility to consider all the ramifications. PR might be one, but the contract should be upheld.

Grasso is a "Taker". He didn't build the Exchange.

What is everyone upset about? A guy has to eat in this world!

I have the sense, pure intuition, that Grasso had Spitzer trailed to determine what he could do to retaliate. And Spitzer was a fool to give into his "weaker self". It was a wise move, on Grasso's part, since collection of what he thought was due to him would be improved. And, of course, it was........

One has to ask, with all the over blown CEO payments like this."WHERE DOES ALL THAT MONEY COME FROM??" Who gets shafted to have it become available.

What is the problem with a CEO getting paid big bucks? If the company doesn't perform the stockholders will push him/her out. I don't see people gettting upset with A-Rod's $28 mil pay. The Yankees didn't even make it to the Series last year. When a movie flops, who complains that the star was paid $20 million?

And the cheerleaders have the nerve to ask why Americans are unhappy over the past 10 years pointing to some GDP growth. == 5% of Americans are making out like Kings eating all the cheese, arbitraging America's productivity and future against the rest of the world, pocketing the difference for themselves. 95% of Americans are working harder, getting the same or less for their troubles.

The "age of consumption" is not over. The masterminds of taking without making are now doing their thing running billion Hedge Funds, chasing commodity prices up, down and around, after leaving their prior mortgage and banking plays in the rubble. Pocketing billion dollar paydays for their efforts. Not so different than the wild 20s.

Be careful what you say, Yahoo turns over political dissenters as they did in China.

sure, he's entitled to what the contract called for .... but I don't understand why anyone thinks they need to pay that kind of money to attract "top talent" .... think Grasso would have sold stuff on EBAY instead if they offered him a mere $2M per year? it's all yet another example of markets that are not functioning well

Well I think YOU, author, should give a few million dollars to charity. 'Cause I say so!!!!!! Do you know who I am!!!!!?? Get a grip.

riseinranks...I hope you're right. Genius!!!! By the way, I've never known a colleague to turn down a raise. But then again, I work in the "Evil Empire". Get a grip people. Geez.

For the people pro-Grasso and pro outlandish compensation, please consider the damage such a chasm between CEO and worker pay can do. Clearly, many CEO's lack(ed) the shame and humility to be responsible, compassionate leaders - and instead battle one-another to see who best can selfishly rraappee the system. Do they give the money back when the false economy they created and capitalized on collapses? Hopefully we learn our lessons - again...