There was no shortage of complaining about the $147 million that Lee R. Raymond, retiring CEO of Exxon Mobil departed the company with. Exxon shareholders didn’t seem to mind. Why would they when large company CEO’s make on average 300 times what the average worker earns.
But this pales in comparison to what hedge fund managers made this year. Somehow these amazing facts have remained hidden from view.
James Simons of Renaissance Technologies raked in $1.5 billion in 2005. The 26 hedge best paid fund managers earned $363 million on average – up 45 per cent from the $251million average in 2004.
George Soros of Soros Fund Management made $840 million, SAC Capital’s Steven Cohen $550 million and Paul Tudor Jones of Tudor Investment $500 million.
So why give poor Lee R. Raymond a hard time?
The question we need to ask – is aside from the way all this insane compensation accelerates the unconschionale gap between rich and poor – how much is enough.
And it isn’t just a question or Lee R. Raymond, James Simons and George Soros. It’s a question for you and me. How much is enough for each of us. How much do we need? How much should we give away?
Love to hear your thoughts!