Skip the bonuses, Obama tells bankers

CHICAGO, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Bankers should forgo bonuses as an example of recognizing the economic downturn has forced them to lay off workers, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said.

"I think that if you are already worth tens of millions of dollars, and you are having to lay off workers, the least you can do is say, 'I'm willing to make some sacrifice as well, because I recognize that there are people who are a lot less well off, who are going through some pretty tough times,'' Obama said during an interview with ABC.

There's a point when people in leadership positions -- whether corporate executives, congressional members, the president or parents -- should ensure they're thinking of others and acting in a responsible manner, he said.

"I want all of us to start thinking a little bit more, not just about what's good for me, but let's start thinking about what's good for our children, what's good for our country," Obama said. "The more we do that, the better off we're going to be. ''