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Christopher Dodd & The AIG Loophole: Do As You Say & Say As You Do
 The Axiom Of Respect The entire country seems to be outraged over the bonuses American International Group (AIG) paid their executives using funds from the $787 billion stimulus bill passed into law last month. While we know that everyone has his or her own opinion regarding the stimulus bill itself, as well as the cause of our country's economic downturn, one thing we can all hopefully agree on is that we as citizens deserve honesty from our elected officials. Our nation cannot afford to have elected officials, such as Sen. Christopher Dodd, say one thing and then change his story a few days later. As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Dodd originally "den[ied] having anything to do with crafting language in the stimulus bill that allowed bailed-out insurance giant [AIG] to keep its bonuses"; however, he now admits "he and the Treasury Department were responsible for the loopholes." ("Dodd Admits To Role In AIG Loophole") Interestingly, "many of the bonuses in question were awarded to executives" who live in Dodd's "home state" of Connecticut. Not surprisingly, Senator Dodd claims his conflicting comments in recent interviews were "misunderstood," but they certainly raise suspicion. In a day when elected officials continually serve their own self-interest at the expense of our nation, to be truly trustworthy, their actions must be beyond reproach each and every day. Being trustworthy is paramount to following Magna Sententia, and personally, we have tremendous admiration for those who can stand up and admit they made a mistake. (Dodd should have come clean immediately after the public learned of the bonuses.) Admitting our mistakes takes a great deal of courage and strength, and it also works to build trust. Dodd and all of our elected officials would be wise to conduct themselves in keeping with the old adage, "Do as you say, and say as you do." Anna and Ellie Sherise
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