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American banks were just bailed out by us, the American tax payers, and some have not even paid us back yet. However, they are giving out 32.6 billion dollars in bonuses. They need to be held accountable not only for their actions that helped lead us to one of the worst years in American economic history but they also need to be held responsible for their complete disregard of the tax payers that just saved them.
American banks and their 32.6 billion dollars in bonuses
Dear Representative
I arrived home today after working a middle class job in which I wonder every day whether it is going to be the next casualty in this economy. This same economy where I had my tax money used to bailout banks that were deemed to big to fail. A predominantly large number of these same banks placed themselves and us in this position by utilizing overly risky and sometimes predatory lending practices. I arrived home today to realize these same banks in this same economy are paying out a staggering 32.6 billion dollars in bonuses.
J.P. Morgan alone paid 1,626 employees at least one million dollars in a yearly bonus. I would urge you to consider the fact that it would take me approximately 25 years to earn the same amount. This is not just a trivial letter that boils down to me being jealous this is a passionate portrayal of my outrage and a plea for a voice! I drive to work every day and do my part as a contributing citizen and I have been wronged.
These banks were so quick to ask for handouts from the same people they preyed upon and from whom they used money to take risks that they could not reasonably justify. I believe this is an example of the saying,'Writing checks that your butt can't cash.' However, it came time to cash those checks and they came to me, the working, contributing citizen. So, they get bailed out with my money and they decided to repay my generosity by simply slapping me in the face. They clearly have not changed their ways, they have not learned from any mistakes, in fact all evidence seems to show that they are basically laughing at me the silly gullible tax payer. These banks are rewarding the upper echelon of their corporations for one of the worst years in American economic history. The worst year in American economic history who's making is in large part their own. Despite having had staggering losses the prior year, and some of them still owing us money, they have the audacity to pat themselves on the back with these million dollar bonuses. Me, the tax payer who bailed them out and who has to work a quarter of a century to earn the same amount they're handing out like party favors, has to worry about his job. Basically, I believe they are rewarding themselves for getting away with having gotten their hands caught in the proverbial cookie jar.
How, as my representative, are you able to justify to me how they are allowed to go through with this? What is it that you are doing or are going to do to ensure that this wrong is righted. The line between politics and business hasn't become so blurred that the tax payers, like myself, are merely a hassle and a piggy bank, has it?
If this injustice is not corrected I would argue that those naysayers who say politics has just become an elaborate act and that politicians are merely puppets of corporate board rooms have been vindicated. I hope you are bold enough to take the first step, I hope you will take the seemingly radical position of defending and representing your constituents, please be the one willing to step up to the plate and hold these greedy corporations accountable for treating the American tax payer like a simpleton.
[Your name]