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Buffett blasts excessive executive pay - Trade deficit, rising money-management fees also a worry
Berkshire Hathaway 2005 Annual Report ^ | 3-5-06

Posted on 03/05/2006 1:01:15 PM PST by soccer_maniac

"Too often executive compensation in the U.S. is ridiculously out of line with performance," said Buffett in his 2005 letter.

"Huge severance payments, lavish perks and outsized payments for ho-hum performance often occur because comp committees have become slaves to comparative data." Buffett said compensation committee members are bombarded with pay statistics and told about new perks that other managers are receiving. "In this manner, outlandish 'goodies' are showered upon CEOs simply because of a corporate version of the argument we all use as children: 'But, Mon, all the other kids have one.'" The billionaire investor, known as the Oracle of Omaha, also had a few choice words for rising fees paid out to professional money managers. "These costs are now being incurred in amounts that will cause shareholders to earn far less than they historically have," said Buffett.

(Excerpt) Read more at berkshirehathaway.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Nebraska
KEYWORDS: buffet; ceopay; deficit
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1 posted on 03/05/2006 1:01:19 PM PST by soccer_maniac
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To: soccer_maniac

the socialist oracle hypocrite speaks


2 posted on 03/05/2006 1:02:15 PM PST by vrwc0915
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To: Willie Green

ping.


3 posted on 03/05/2006 1:03:01 PM PST by jdm (The Sound of Music: Now with Lesbians!)
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To: vrwc0915

OK, let me speak as a capitalist.

As a stockholder, I am the owner of the company. The CEO is an employee, and an expense. I don't see why I shouldn't want to hire someone who could do a good job, but is willing to accept a lower salary. That's the capitalist system, shop around and get the best deal.

These guys are not the great geniuses they claim to be. There are many guys makeing $300-500K now who could do just as good a job. If it was up to me, I'd hire one and give him a chance.


4 posted on 03/05/2006 1:05:33 PM PST by proxy_user
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To: proxy_user

I agree with everything you said, I just can't stand buffet and his do as I say and not as I do


5 posted on 03/05/2006 1:07:41 PM PST by vrwc0915
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To: soccer_maniac

bump


6 posted on 03/05/2006 1:21:36 PM PST by indthkr
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To: proxy_user
As a stockholder, I am the owner of the company.

I own many stocks. I have not been asked how much I think the CEO should be paid.

7 posted on 03/05/2006 1:24:56 PM PST by Doe Eyes
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To: vrwc0915

Give it a break will you. The man knows business inside and out and that is the manner in which he is speaking. He is damn right in what he says about executive pay.


8 posted on 03/05/2006 1:25:24 PM PST by em2vn
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To: vrwc0915

You'd sing a different tune if you bought Berkshire Hathaway in 1966.

I'm not surprised those who did have made Buffett a god.


9 posted on 03/05/2006 1:27:44 PM PST by proxy_user
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To: proxy_user
Company management packs the boards of directors with buddies of management. The boards then gives management all the money that management wants. Management is now the effective owner of the corporations, and get paid as owners

What's needed is for the mutual-fund managers and other institutionals (who own the bulk of shares now) to exercise greater control over the boards

10 posted on 03/05/2006 1:31:54 PM PST by SauronOfMordor (A planned society is most appealing to those with the hubris to think they will be the planners)
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To: proxy_user
No I wouldn't money can't buy my morals!

You would sing differently if you ever worked for one of his companies, nepotism, company store galore

11 posted on 03/05/2006 1:32:10 PM PST by vrwc0915
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To: soccer_maniac

I've been to his restaurant in Key West - "Margaritaville". :)


12 posted on 03/05/2006 2:15:42 PM PST by Bosco (Remember how you felt on September 11?)
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To: Bosco

wrong Buffet :)


13 posted on 03/05/2006 2:16:57 PM PST by soccer_maniac (Do some good while browsing FR --> Join our Folding@Home Team# 36120: keyword: folding@home)
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To: jdm; Willie Green

JP Morgan would never pay any plant manager more then 20 times what the lowest paid person in the plant made.


14 posted on 03/05/2006 2:18:51 PM PST by TXBSAFH (Proud Dad of Twins, What Does Not Kill You Makes You Stronger!!!!!!)
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To: proxy_user

"You'd sing a different tune if you bought Berkshire Hathaway in 1966."

Or even 15 years ago.


15 posted on 03/05/2006 2:22:35 PM PST by jdm (The Sound of Music: Now with Lesbians!)
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To: vrwc0915

Actually Buffet pays himself 100,000 a year. He lives in a middle-class neighborhood, (no big estate with fancy gates-it is actually on a busy street) his kids went to public schools.

I live in the same neighborhood and went to the same schools with his daughter. His sister taught Home-
ec. I live across the street from the home where he grew up

I agree that his politics are left wing wacko but on this you are wrong


16 posted on 03/05/2006 2:36:50 PM PST by acsrp38
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To: soccer_maniac

Two days ago media reports that this loser lost 1.8 BILLION DOLLARS last year. Yep, he is a damn sage!

LLS


17 posted on 03/05/2006 3:31:16 PM PST by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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To: proxy_user
I like the market argument, but when two CEO's in a row are paid over $80 million just to stop doing damage and leave the company, something is wrong with the market (it happened at EDS).
18 posted on 03/05/2006 5:17:20 PM PST by Moonman62 (Federal creed: If it moves tax it. If it keeps moving regulate it. If it stops moving subsidize it)
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To: soccer_maniac

I guess its OK to earn your billions investing, but not working? I don't see Warren giving his earinings back.


19 posted on 03/05/2006 5:59:23 PM PST by norwaypinesavage
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To: LibLieSlayer
You should start posting such comments after you made your first billion because of your knowledge and your predictions about the financial markets around the world as Mr Buffet did.

I know this guy is not very popular here but beside his political views i would always listen to someone that has the record and the experience of Mr Buffet.
20 posted on 03/06/2006 2:34:56 AM PST by stefan10
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