New York campaign finance records show American International Group donated $100,000 to the state Democratic Committee just before Democratic Gov. David Paterson and his insurance superintendent launched marathon sessions to prop up the embattled insurer.

The contribution was made Aug. 29. Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo started negotiating with AIG and federal officials within about two weeks.

On Sept. 16, Paterson announced the "great news" that New York officials helped the giant insurer strike a historic loan deal with the Federal Reserve to keep AIG afloat.

Spokesmen for the state Democratic party, Paterson, Dinallo and AIG had no immediate comment Thursday.

The state's effort is credited with giving AIG time to survive.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/AIG-Gave-NY-Dems-100K-Before-Historic-Loan.html

from Bush and Co.

March 19 (Bloomberg) -- Citigroup Inc. plans to spend about $10 million on new offices for Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit and his lieutenants, after the U.S. government injected $45 billion of cash into the bank.

Affidavits filed with New York’s Department of Buildings show Citigroup expects to pay at least $3.2 million for basic construction such as wall removal, plumbing and fire safety. By the time architect’s fees and expenses such as furniture are added, the tally for the offices at the bank’s Park Avenue headquarters will be at least three times as high, according to a person familiar with the project who declined to be identified because he’s not authorized to comment. Citigroup said the project will help it save money over time.

Pandit, criticized by lawmakers over Citigroup’s use of U.S. bailout capital, canceled an order for a company jet in January and told Congress on Feb. 11 that, “I get the new reality and I’ll make sure Citi gets it as well.” Of the biggest U.S. banks that received federal aid, only Citigroup has turned to the government three times for rescue. The company, once the biggest U.S. bank by assets and market value, has agreed to limit perks and restrict executive pay.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aLYT6sSkjKzw&refer=home

it's time for justice, French style.

yeah Obama planned this all along......put down the kool aid Gabriel

I've set up a paypal account so feel free to send money and I'll stop collecting it at $165 million.

March 19 (Bloomberg) -- Citigroup Inc. plans to spend about $10 million on new offices for Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit and his lieutenants, after the U.S. government injected $45 billion of cash into the bank.

Affidavits filed with New York’s Department of Buildings show Citigroup expects to pay at least $3.2 million for basic construction such as wall removal, plumbing and fire safety. By the time architect’s fees and expenses such as furniture are added, the tally for the offices at the bank’s Park Avenue headquarters will be at least three times as high, according to a person familiar with the project who declined to be identified because he’s not authorized to comment. Citigroup said the project will help it save money over time.

Pandit, criticized by lawmakers over Citigroup’s use of U.S. bailout capital, canceled an order for a company jet in January and told Congress on Feb. 11 that, “I get the new reality and I’ll make sure Citi gets it as well.” Of the biggest U.S. banks that received federal aid, only Citigroup has turned to the government three times for rescue. The company, once the biggest U.S. bank by assets and market value, has agreed to limit perks and restrict executive pay.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aLYT6sSkjKzw&refer=home

Obama does not support equality for gays/lesbians.

While the UN signing made a nice photo op, it does not achieve anything.

Meanwhile Obama increased the amount of our tax revenue that goes to churches (via the faith based initiative) who then actively campaign against our rights using Prop. 8, etc.

March 19 (Bloomberg) -- Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd said the Obama administration asked him to insert a provision in last month’s $787 billion economic- stimulus legislation that had the effect of authorizing American International Group Inc.’s bonuses.

Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, said yesterday he agreed to modify restrictions on executive pay at companies receiving taxpayer assistance to exempt bonuses already agreed upon in contracts. He said he did so without realizing the change would benefit AIG, whose recent $165 million payment to employees has sparked a public furor.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aT_tMXRy2vDs

Where is Andrew Cuomo when you need him?

ultimate corporate $780 billion rip off?

Fool me once Obama , shame on me.

Fool me twice Obama, shame on you.

Perhaps he should stick to the special olympics?

Sometimes a banana isn't a banana.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The chief auditor overseeing spending of $787 billion in stimulus money said Thursday that some fraud and waste is inevitable.

He promised to try to keep it to a minimum.

Earl Devaney, chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, told lawmakers the problem will be aggravated by a lack of federal workers needed to oversee the spending. Federal agencies will have difficulty hiring enough skilled workers "to minimize the risks associated with moving this amount of money quickly," Devaney told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/STIMULUS_WATCHDOG?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

"lack of federal workers to oversee the spending" --- what, are they handing it out a dollar at a time???

1. $780 billion in corporate welfare

2. $40 billion increase in the military budget

3. increasing the amount of our tax revenue that goes to churches

I never thought I would see the day when democrats would be the party of corporations, guns, and god.