"Everyone sacrifices including Executives and CEO's. The past 2 privately owned companies" - Privately owned companies!!! This is a whole lot different to a publicly held company. Slightly different amount of vested interest in the success or failure, just a touch more on the line. No golden goodbye's when you own a large portion of a private company and it starts to fall over.

"If you don't like what you are paid and like what exec's are paid become an executive." Grow up!!! The real answer here is if you can't get what you think you are worth where you are, then move to a company where you will. Everyone I know, who has ended up with a higher salary, has moved companies.

I'm sorry I don't care how good you are nobody is worth $20,000,000 of anyones money. Open Markets are a great thing but *regulation* is required.