Republican's and their leaders...

Republicans consistently hold positions different from their base. The "no bailout for CEO's" is something I commonly hear from conservatives on the ground. Yet the broader point is this:

QUITE A LOOPHOLE....

When lawmakers considered the $700 billion bailout package a few months ago, they argued with the Bush White House over restrictions on executive compensation. Democrats insisted that firms accepting bailout funds could not, in turn, lavish their top executives with multi-million dollar salaries and/or "golden parachute" severance pay. The president wanted no such restrictions.

At first glance, it was a fight Democrats appeared to win, and strict limits were included in the final legislation. Indeed, there was even an IRS mechanism that mandated a close review of executive compensation, and tax penalties for companies that failed to comply.

Those evil Democrats