I don't get it – corporations pay a departing exec big $$$ for leaving? Are they so glad to get rid of them, no matter how much it may cost?

Duh, so they will be treated favorably in her new job. It may have even been part of her original package that they have to pay.

I am now poor and live below the poverty level.
When Bush approved a stimulas package I got a check for $500. But gas prices were going thru the roof.
Those prices caused the food prices to rise. Now I had three choices.
1. Spend the money on junky products that are designed not to last and to be thrown away.
2. spend it on Gas and food so we could keep our jobs and eat.
3. pay it on bills.

Well I chose 2. Survival.

Now Mr Obama is sending a stimulas check of $1000.
What now are my stimulas choices?
1. Spend the money on junky products that are designed not to last and to be thrown away.
2. spend it on Gas and food so we could keep our jobs and eat.
3. pay it on bills.
4None of the above.

My choice will be 4.None of the above.
I will use it to stimulate the economic lifestyles of Lawyers.
I will use the $1000 to retain a Bankruptcy Lawyer, and what little I have I will Loose that.
So thank you Washington.
For those of you who dont know.
Your Govt knew the country was going to be broke by spring of 2009; in March of 2008 when they went into secret session.

From what I read in the related article most of these payments were deferred compensation – pay for work that had already been performed but not yet received. They defer the compensation primarily for tax advantage – you don't pay tax on money earned until the money is paid. The employee benefits by being able to defer that tax and the company benefited from the work already performed. It generally is part of their package when they are hired and most of the people are going to earn far less in the government than they did in their public jobs. While the deferred payments seem outrageous how many "good" performers would the government be able to attract to its positions without the deferred compensation the employees will get from their prior jobs?

I don't condone or condemn this – I think each case would have to be looked at individually before judging.