The U.S. is a free market, but one can’t blame social capitalists for getting worked up when they see people feasting at the table of the less-than-privileged.

Does a company have the right to do whatever it wants with its money (what is left of it) when a lot of that money was, in hindsight, acquired somewhat unethically–at the very least, willingly taking advantage of people that don’t know better. Do they have a responsibility to cut back on the splurging to help their customers out.

I don’t think Countrywide needs to be shmooooooozing anyone right now. 95% of those in the loan industry are hungry–for closings, not beef.

Why don’t multi million dollar high profile companies have a VP of Common Sense on their payrolls.  Give some smart, independent minded person $150,000, guarantee them under contract so that they won’t get fired for speaking openly, pay the person to sit there, walk around, and say “Bad idea”.

At the very least, given the economic uncertainties and sympathy for those facing foreclosure, Countrywide’s brand is going to take a serious hit. Fire up the PR machine!