This is a Stalking Horse

Executive bonuses are not the issue. Reform of the system that gave rise to the current financial imbroglio is the issue. Those who scream the loudest about executive bonuses know this, and know that they have NO intention of reforming the system. Pillory some scapegoats that people will love to hate, conduct guided tours of their big houses, get them in front of some congressional committee, foam at the mouth, and after the economy recovers people will forget all about the fact that the banking / mortgate system works the same as it did before. It's an old story, because it's worked for centuries, and it will work this time. People are sheep.