According to the AP, many of the banks who were given millions of dollars, were throwing money away as the economy tanked.

Banks that are getting taxpayer bailouts awarded their top executives nearly $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses, and other benefits last year, an Associated Press analysis reveals.

Benefits included cash bonuses, stock options, personal use of company jets and chauffeurs, home security, country club memberships and professional money management, the AP review of federal securities documents found.

The total amount given to nearly 600 executives would cover bailout costs for many of the 116 banks that have so far accepted tax dollars to boost their bottom lines.

So the banks, who in large part are responsible for this crisis by creating a whole subprime mortgage system and inventing types of trade transactions basically rewarded themselves for a job well done, while the average working person struggles to survive.

Merry Christmas.

Via / Yahoo!