Take One For the Team

Karl Hemmer

President Bush has suggested that we start prosecuting corporate America. Jail CEO's that have been caught misleading investors by inflating earnings at their respective companies.

"You're fine....walk it off", I am told when sliding into home and skinning my knee. I scored a run! My team is winning! What's there to worry about? No one tells me my knee will become infected if it is not cleaned, and a scab, an eyesore, will form.

Bernie Ebbers (ex-CEO of WorldCom and former gym teacher) acquired more and more companies, creating more and more debt. His teammates (investors and stockholders) were concerned about the future of this debt. He instructed his troops to make it seem that all was okay. "There are no problems! We are winning!" WorldCom stock went from $18/share to $89/share within 6 months. Everyone was happy....they were RICH!!! No one realized the scab that would form. His teammates have now risen up. Why? They lost money. How could he do this to them!!

When the economy gets bad, we are told that it will get better. The people in political power aren't elected next time; "mistakes" were made. Politicians don't go to jail. We elected them, invested our lives/futures, when we liked them. And kicked them to the curb when they failed (Bubba?). It's just money people....walk it off.