Well why not? Just because the country fell into recession shouldn't mean that the caretaker executives should suffer. How fair would that be? Regardless of success or failure the end result is always the same with corporate executives. They like to talk about risk but never assume the same risks as others. It's rare to see a truly innovative CEO or a real superstar yet they are consistently rewarded as though they're all the greatest leader ever. If only the same rules applied to the rest.
U.S. companies remain generous with the perks they give to CEOs, including some that are unfathomable to the average American worker: chauffeured cars, bodyguards, club memberships and free travel in company jets.Nice work, when you can get it.
The median value of these and similar perks rose nearly 7 percent in 2008, according to an Associated Press analysis of regulatory filings from 309 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500. The increase came even as overall CEO compensation fell 7 percent to $7.6 million.
