Disney CEO 35% raise

[mill4023]

Right, anyone who disagrees with you is a commie. Give it a rest, McCarthy.

See post above re: knee jerk reaction.

You are completely misinterpreting my post and probably making a lot of incorrect assumptions about my personal beliefs.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

The socialism/communism catchphrases have regained popularity by those who care little for the middle class as a means to argue for an agenda that will ultimatyely lead to the destruction of the middle class entirely. We have been through this before (Mccarthyism anyone).

The truth is that the writer of the check isn't the only one who has the right to decide how much ones skills are worth. The worker providing the skills also has the right to be part of the equation. This can and should be done through labor organization and collective bargaining (capitalism at it's best). In most southern states, the laws do not allow for effective collective bargaining and the povety rates reflect that.

The facts are clear, wages on average are over $10,000 a year higher for union workers compared to non-union workers in similar jobs, employee provided healthcare is almost 30% higher for union workers as compared to non-union workers. Perhaps most importantly worker safety is much higher in states with decent union representation (both when considering worker injuries and deaths).

I strongly agree.

Right, anyone who disagrees with you is a commie. Give it a rest, McCarthy.

Absolutely!

To be clear, while I support the right of CEOs to be compensated for their value, that doesn't mean that we don't all have an obligation to care for each other. More than anything, I am a pragmatist, and I understand that supply and demand will rule compensation structure in all industries for the foreseeable future.

I cannot say anymore than the following without blatantly violating the "no politics" rule, but nowhere in the Constitution, or even in any Federal law of which I'm aware, does it say that we are fundamentally a Capitalist nation. In my opinion, what makes the United States of America so great ad so strong is that we have drawn from the strengths of many political and economic ideologies.

 

[nytimez]

See post above re: knee jerk reaction.

You are completely misinterpreting my post and probably making a lot of incorrect assumptions about my personal beliefs.

And you're probably making a lot of incorrect assumptions about the personal beliefs of others.

 

[TenderDonkey]

People, finance 101 Disney is a public company and the #1 priority is to increase shareholder value. That is the goal each and every day. Every decision ultimately ties to increasing the share value.

 

[psac]

Not saying that his salary isn't crazy high, but if you look at the annual report, he actually still made a little less than he did in 2008. So 2008 to 2009 he took a big drop, and then 2009 to 2010 he came back up again. So saying it's a 35% raise, while true, is a little deceptive. I don't think there were this many comments when he had a 30% decrease the year before.

 

[ftballfan7]

Anyone who has studied political systems knows that one of the main ideas of communism is providing for everyone based on what they "need", not what they want or what they are worth.

That may be true, but not every thought based on need has communist undertones. One of the main ideas of Catholicism is the existance of a supreme creator, but not all who believe in a supreme creator are catholic (just an example, I am not trying to start a religious conversation).

Our country was established with the idea that in order to maintain a free society everyone needs certain rights: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press etc. These rights certainately rise to the level of needs and far from communist.

 

[mill4023]

And you're probably making a lot of incorrect assumptions about the personal beliefs of others.

I made no assumptions about anyone's personal beliefs. I only commented on the opinions that were actually stated. And I expressed no positive or negative view of any of those opinions.

I simply pointed out that the difference between the opinion that CEO's are paid too much because "nobody needs that much money" and the opinion that people have the right to get paid as much as they can make, comes down to whether one believes in pure capitalism vs more of a socialist/communist philosophy.

You assumed that I was making a judgment about which opinion was better or worse, but I was not. Not that it matters, but the fact is that I actually believe in at least parts of communist philosophy, so I'm certainly not calling anyone a "commie" if they disagree with my views.

 

[mill4023]

That may be true, but not every thought based on need has communist undertones. One of the main ideas of Catholicism is the existance of a supreme creator, but not all who believe in a supreme creator are catholic (just an example, I am not trying to start a religious conversation).

Our country was established with the idea that in order to maintain a free society everyone needs certain rights: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press etc. These rights certainately rise to the level of needs and far from communist.

I should have been more specific. I was referring to the belief that nobody should have more than they need or more than their "fair share".

 

[jmkjr72]

my big issues with ceos getting these huge rasies is that it is often done at the expense of those that make the company what it is and make the comapny money

the associates that are in the front lines

honestly with out the cms disney wouldnt be disney
the mousekeepers that make the towel art to the imagineers with out them disney would be just another theme park

sure bob has done his job and done it well but it has been at the cost of lost jobs
think about this how many jobs could be add back if he only had a 15% raise

 

[nytimez]

I made no assumptions about anyone's personal beliefs. I only commented on the opinions that were actually stated. And I expressed no positive or negative view of any of those opinions.

I simply pointed out that the difference between the opinion that CEO's are paid too much because "nobody needs that much money" and the opinion that people have the right to get paid as much as they can make, comes down to whether one believes in pure capitalism vs more of a socialist/communist philosophy.

You assumed that I was making a judgment about which opinion was better or worse, but I was not. Not that it matters, but the fact is that I actually believe in at least parts of communist philosophy, so I'm certainly not calling anyone a "commie" if they disagree with my views.

You made a huge and inappropriate leap. Also, there are places to make huge and inappropriate leaps and engage in inflammatory political debates, but this isn't one of them.

I don't know what the poster who said that believes, but I wouldn't make any assumption beyond the fact that she thinks the CEO was paid too much.

What you've done is the equivalent of assuming that anyone who admits to drinking beer is an alcoholic.

 

[verlee]

While that amount of money seem huge to me, It is not out of line when compaired to not only CEO's, but union bosses, and political leaders ect. as well. There always has been and there always will be wealthy people and there will always be people in need.... Nature of the world.

Now here is the real question. Is having money the only way to have a happy content life? Is Igor happier then me? Nope. I highly doubt it. I do not want his life or his money. I am pretty happy. He is not "richer" then me. There are more important things in life then money.

If I was so unhappy about how Disney was taking advantage of it's workers I would not give them my money and I would not spend my time on a Disney discussion board?? You all can directly effect Igors wage next year. Don't go to Disney.

 

[mill4023]

You made a huge and inappropriate leap. Also, there are places to make huge and inappropriate leaps and engage in inflammatory political debates, but this isn't one of them.

I don't know what the poster who said that believes, but I wouldn't make any assumption beyond the fact that she thinks the CEO was paid too much.

What you've done is the equivalent of assuming that anyone who admits to drinking beer is an alcoholic.

Then I suggest you stop trying to start an inflammatory political debate. I certainly did nothing of the kind.

I'd also suggest that you actually try to pay attention to what a post says before you start name calling based on your completely incorrect interpretation of what someone was saying.

I'm honestly having a really hard time trying to understand how you could have interpreted my posts in the way you did, unless you are someone who sees one word (communist) and immediately jumps to all kinds of ridiculous assumptions about what kind of person would use that word. It is so frustrating to post on here and have people reply as if you had said something completely different from what you actually said.

I'm done now. You are completely incorrect about what I said, but you are correct about one thing. This isn't the place for any debate that is political in nature, and since you've tried to turn it into that, I won't clog up this thread with any more replies trying to explain what I've already said. Feel free to PM me if you have any desire to understand what I'm saying.

 

[nytimez]

Then I suggest you stop trying to start an inflammatory political debate. I certainly did nothing of the kind.

I'd also suggest that you actually try to pay attention to what a post says before you start name calling based on your completely incorrect interpretation of what someone was saying.

I'm honestly having a really hard time trying to understand how you could have interpreted my posts in the way you did, unless you are someone who sees one word (communist) and immediately jumps to all kinds of ridiculous assumptions about what kind of person would use that word. It is so frustrating to post on here and have people reply as if you had said something completely different from what you actually said.

I'm done now. You are completely incorrect about what I said, but you are correct about one thing. This isn't the place for any debate that is political in nature, and since you've tried to turn it into that, I won't clog up this thread with any more replies trying to explain what I've already said. Feel free to PM me if you have any desire to understand what I'm saying.

I have to wonder if you read your original post:

the varying opinions in this thread can really be generalized into two groups. Those who believe in capitalism and those who believe in socialism/communism.

Huge and inappropriate leap. Also very political. And telling people who feel the CEO was not entitled to his salary that they are communists is inflammatory. This is your post, not mine.

'Nuff said.

Stick to Disney topics and leave the vast political generalizations out of it, please.

 

[TagsMissy]

Not saying that his salary isn't crazy high, but if you look at the annual report, he actually still made a little less than he did in 2008. So 2008 to 2009 he took a big drop, and then 2009 to 2010 he came back up again. So saying it's a 35% raise, while true, is a little deceptive. I don't think there were this many comments when he had a 30% decrease the year before.

I agree to a point in which I will add it is very deceptive (not a little about his 'big raise') and most people are missing this posting it seems. He is essentially returning to where he was based on the current success monetarily the company is now showing. It is unfortunate about the layoffs, I know of of the employees who were laid off; however, that is also part of the cycle of business and restructuring. I've been through a few of those restructurings where I work and made it through each time luckily.... while for the guest Disney may be the happiest place on earth -- the true bare bones is that it's a public company there to make money and give dividend returns to the shareholders.

 

[ftballfan7]

I hope this won't be considered "political" discussion since I know that isn't allowed here, but the varying opinions in this thread can really be generalized into two groups. Those who believe in capitalism and those who believe in socialism/communism.

I think this statement is what has led to a bit of a backlash. You grouped everyone into two distinct and seperate catagories with no room for a grey area in between. This is just not the case. Your posts after suggest that you may in fact not fit entirely into one of these pure classifications (I suspect very few people do). It is certainately possible that what you typed is not an accurate reflection of what you believe. I have certainately done this before and am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.

My take on this issue is that CEOs in general deserve to be well compensated if they do a good job. However in many cases their compensation has become obscene. The growing chasm between the top levels and the working class has become a real problem in our country and middle class needs to start standing up up for itself or things will continue to progress to where ther is no longer a middle class, just upper class and poverty. Unfortunately a lot of money has been spent to convince people that things that are not in their best interest are somehow patriotic and they willingly go in droves to support their own downfall.

 

[TenderDonkey]

my big issues with ceos getting these huge rasies is that it is often done at the expense of those that make the company what it is and make the comapny money

the associates that are in the front lines

honestly with out the cms disney wouldnt be disney
the mousekeepers that make the towel art to the imagineers with out them disney would be just another theme park

sure bob has done his job and done it well but it has been at the cost of lost jobs
think about this how many jobs could be add back if he only had a 15% raise

The parks are only one part of the Disney empire. Although CMs are important they are not the only money makers out there. In fact I would argue he made a smart decision. He was able to scale back on the workforce and still increase overall attendance. From a moral perspective maybe wrong, but from his duty to the shareholders it worked out. Always remember his goal is to increase shareholder value.

 

[mill4023]

I have to wonder if you read your original post:

Huge and inappropriate leap. Also very political. And telling people who feel the CEO was not entitled to his salary that they are communists is inflammatory. This is your post, not mine.

'Nuff said.

Stick to Disney topics and leave the vast political generalizations out of it, please.

I did say that it was a generalization, but yeah, I see your point. It was more of a generalization than I intended and I can see how it was interpreted the way it was.

But I did not, as you said, call anyone a commie. And I did not imply that one viewpoint was better or worse than the other.

The differences may be subtle, but there is a difference between saying someone believes in socialism/communism and calling them a communist.

Perhaps I should have been more specific and said that people who think nobody should be paid more than they "need", hold at least some socialist/communist beliefs.

 

[cjsm&d]

C'mon folks! This is a Disney site! Posters are supposed to be fun and light and airy and judgemental..errr...

I think that all the communists and capilalists on here need to just take a breath, stop arguing about politics, and get back to the real issues of the day....

...pool hopping, waiting line etiquette, and parking in resort lots...

Just wanted to sneak this in before the inevitable lock up

 

[larryz]

Here's an idea -- if you want to contemplate the worth of an hour of labor, grab a shovel and go clear your driveway.

That'll put things in a better perspective, and when you get back, you'll be too tired to argue intangible philosophical points (much like a castmember working for their slightly higher than minimum wage, but on 30 hours a week so they aren't eligible for full benefits...).

 

[Missytara]

Hey, the guy did a great job.

You have to remember what a CEO of a company is ultimately responsible to do - weather the storm of a bad economy that was not necessarily his fault; make business decisions that keep people coming back and satisfying the stockholders. That is a very difficult job and one that should be rewarded when he did what he is supposed to do.

He kept the company afloat, in business, without huge layoffs or closing of divisions and kept the stockholders happy. He didn't ask for huge bailouts and most people kept their jobs.

And not every one would even do that job or be that good at doing it.

The guy deserved a raise.