Why isn't Bernie talking more about executive pay caps?

[JudyM]

This would fit so well with his themes and would mobilize more voters. Of course, it would infuriate all the big $, but it's a terrific populist message.

[ErisDiscordia]

1. Because it isn't a government power?

[JudyM]

4. That's true, but as a broader part of a revolution, we would want to facilitate shareholders'

exerting more leverage. Under Dodd Frank companies are making that ratio more visible now, right? Why not have a movement to inspire shareholders to act on this as a way of pressuring increases in worker pay / conservation & redistribution to shareholders of company profits...

[cantbeserious]

2. Let's Elect Him First - Before Wall Street Enlists The Bundys To Take Him On

eom

[JudyM]

6. Yeah, I know, that's scary, I keep thinking about it. Wish he'd get a couple of bodyguards, if not

Secret Service. If he takes Iowa and doesn't get protection we're going to start getting really nervous.

[BillZBubb]

3. The government can't directly cap anyone's pay.

The way to get rid of excessive pay levels is with very high marginal tax rates. Bernie has already talked about raising taxes on the wealthy.

[JudyM]

5. Yes, absolutely. But inspiring a surge in shareholder resolutions would also be a great statement of

leadership in the movement. It seems it would be a great addition to his discussion about taxing stock transactions because he'd be showing that there's a way for shareholders to get more positive returns.

[ErisDiscordia]

7. The reason why Bernie's campaign works is because he is FOCUSED

He's not throwing everything into the pot. Now is not the time nor the place.

Let's elect him and a new Congress, and THEN talk about what to do with the power that accrues.

[JudyM]

8. I think average, 99% shareholders might be concerned about his call for higher taxes.

on transactions. This would offset that.

[global1]

9. The Higher Their Pay - The More They'll Be Taxed.....

that's more money in the coffers to get things done in this country - like infrastructure rebuilding, health care, education. It's time these crooks paid it back.

[JudyM]

10. Right, but capping pay would directly benefit investors, including middle class folks

who might be concerned about his call to increase taxes on investment gains.

[MrChuck]

12. I'm not for capping pay.

That's overreach.
Imho.

[JudyM]

13. Aren't salaries of tens of millions of $ overreach?

Particularly when not tied to company performance.

As a shareholder of some companies I find these salaries, which effectively reduce the value of my shares, abhorrent.

[MrChuck]

14. I need to know more.

It's difficult to see how government could limit a salary. I think that we're entitled to collect an income tax but limiting compensation is dangerously close to saying that government can have control over means of production.
The senator has already said he won't advocate for that. It's an important distinction between his politics and the politics he's often accused of espousing.

[n2doc]

11. Exactly.

That is the American way. Having Government artificially limit compensation is not.

The other thing to address this is to make executive compensation nondeductible from corporate profits.