Ah, the problem is wages arguement. I don't disagree with this, in that wages aren't what they were. I really disagree with the disconnect most people display for why wages are where they are.
The reason has little to do with greed. That is the greed beyond corporate survival. The primary reason is that we are no longer a local economy. 100 years ago the textile mills in North Carolina competed only with each other. Today they compete with mills around the world. The lowest cost supplier is the one that will survive. Today, in order for the Mills in North Carolina to compete they must cut cost. They are competing globally. The most expensive line item is employee wages. They do this to compete.
This same business model has played out across almost every industry. We as consumers demand the lowest prices for our goods. That's just the way the world works. The lowest cost provider is who wins.
The disconnect comes into play when the same people who demand the lowest prices also complain about the lower wages in play. That you can't have the lowest prices without lower wages seems lost on them. I scratch my head?
As for corp execs taking too big a slice of the pie for themselves - Ok there are examples of over doing it. Generally, though, the big paycheck is needed to attract the top talent. And talent in today's business world is a premium attribute.
Then there is this - profit. profit is why businesses exist. They aren't charities. They don't exist to make the world a better place, even though their product or service may do just that. In the end, it's about money. it is the engine that makes our economy go. It now makes the world's economy go.
With profit comes financial risk. The employees take no financial risk themselves. They are paid regardless of profit level. But what about those who do take that risk? Those who stake the company? Those who are willing to protect that stake by paying up big bucks for top managers and CEO? Do they deserve to be rewarded? Of course they do. Without them there is no company.
Those of you who own your own businesses or invest in other's businesses understand this perfectly. You took the risk, you deserve the reward. Without you there are no jobs. regardless of wage level.
Unfortunately, in times of recession pointing at those who make the big numbers becomes no more than an uninformed game of hate the rich.