About 20 million people in the United States of America suffer from depression, anxiety or both. That's a lot!

As a result suicides outnumber homicides about 2-1 in the U.S. each year. But depression and anxiety are hardly the only causes of suicide. People kill themselves because of health, occupational pressure, physical pain, existential blight, financial ruin, and even tinnitus.

Now, and I'm not completely certain mind you, but I think the percentage of people who commit suicide because they've received millions of dollars in cash bonuses from their company is zero. If not, than it has to be pretty close to it, perhaps .01 %. Maybe less.

Why Iowa senator Charles Grassley (R) suggested the beneficiaries of AIG's 2008 contracted bonus structure ought to commit suicide is anyone's guess. Although he sort of retracted his statement, he did manage to tap into the public's discontent, a bizarre position for a Republican to find himself in.

In the long run, it's possible the AIG beneficiaries will return or not accept the money, but I wouldn't delude myself into thinking it was a decision guided by morality. After all, if you were similarly propositioned (I want you to work on a project, if it succeeds or fails miserably you'll be paid an enormous sum of money) what would you do? -SB