Profits. Bad?

Seems backward, right?  All of this loathing of businesses because they earn a profit. The headlines and commentary over the past few weeks have been bugging me.  Those "banks on Wall Street" can't catch a break.  And now some of these bank executives are earning a bonus because they've turned a profit and that's bad?  Is this really criminal?

Um, hello?  Has anybody taken a basic economics class?

Well, I have...way back in the day, and I do remember this:

ECON 101

Profits:  goooood

Most companies use a system of quantitative/qualitative performance measures. If the measures are met they are rewarded. It seems logical for executives who made changes which allowed their companies to repay TARP loans and earn a profit deserve some type of compensation.  I would presume in most cases the bonus is well-deserved and based on a series of audits of their performance results.   Of course not everyone on "Wall Street" is good.  I'm not naive that corruption exists on Wall Street, but I also believe it exists on any street, including Pennsylvania Avenue.  It's easy to point the finger.

Now consider our government, which ignores spending control and instead expands programs and draws more loans.  The end result is a "company" further in debt with no outlook for profitability. Is anybody berating our government's compensation?  My big beef with some of our government entitlement programs is all this talk of expansion. Let's help Medicaid, Welfare, Unemployment benefits, etc. reach MORE people for LONGER.  Does anyone see a problem in this?

*me raising hand*

The most successful welfare program does not tout how many people it can support, but how many no longer require its services.  Let's get people on their feet rather than in a state of never-ending dependency.  Welfare should be a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution.

I suggest we applaud the profitable businesses.  ANY profitable business, whether on or off Wall Street.  A profitable company is a company in position to add jobs.  Obama should reconsider his "Jobs Bill", (a fancy name change from 'Stimulus' which is now taboo after its utter failure last year) and focus instead on helping companies improve their financial bottom line.

That, my friends, is where the REAL jobs are found.