Where do I "defend" them? It's your lack of understanding how the business world works that makes you think people are defending them. I wonder why it bugs you so bad that people who actually create jobs, and try to keep businesses in business, get the big bucks, while people who basically do nothing to get the big bucks don't bother you. You didn't have a problem giving the unions that "protection money" did you? How about how the union leaders live and the money they make? Did you complain about being overpaid for what you did? You have said you wouldn't have taken a pay cut so someone else could have had a job too. As I said, there are plenty of people who wouldn't feel like your paycheck was justified.