Eighty-eight percent (88%) of American adults say the executives of companies that need federal money to stay in business should not receive bonuses. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that only eight percent (8%) believe the bonuses are okay while five percent (5%) are not sure.

More Americans support a U.S. apology to Iran for past "crimes" than support bonuses for the executives of bailed out companies.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Americans also say the government should regulate pay and bonuses for executives at companies that receive taxpayer-backed bailout funds. Just 20% disagree, and nine percent (9%) are not sure.

President Obama is clearly in tune with the American public on this point when he called recently revealed mega-bonuses in companies that needed bailout money “shameful” and the “height of irresponsibility.” He added that in exchange for keeping these firms afloat, the government had a right to expect that they would “show some restraint and show some discipline and show some sense of responsibility.”

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While there is a strong public desire to limit executive pay and bonuses in firms needing a federal bailout, there is little desire for the government to get involved in pay issues for other corporations.

Just 27% of the nation’s adults say the federal government should regulate the pay and bonuses of all corporate executives at big companies, including those that don’t receive government subsidies. Sixty-two percent (62%) disagree.

However, Democrats are closely divided on this point. Forty-two percent (42%) of those in Obama’s party say the government should regulate executive compensation for all large corporations. Forty-seven percent (47%) of Democrats take the opposite view.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Republicans reject the notion of the government getting involved in setting executive pay for large corporations that don’t need a bailout. That view is shared by 67% of those not affiliated with either major political party.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of investors oppose government control of pay and bonuses in big companies that do not require federal assistance, compared to 52% of non-investors.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Americans believe that government regulation of executive pay would make it harder for troubled companies to attract good executives. Forty-six percent (46%) say that’s not the case.

Slightly more investors (37%) believe this kind of regulation would make it harder for problem companies to attract top talent versus 26% of non-investors.

In addition to the flap over large executive bonuses, Citigroup was prepared to complete the purchase of a new $50 million corporate jet after agreeing to a huge bailout in November. The firm eventually cancelled the order following public outrage and a request from the government. Obama said the government request should not have been necessary “because they should know better.”

The chief executives of the Big Three automakers suffered a similar public relations black eye when they took private corporate jets to Washington while seeking taxpayer money to stay in business

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