Here's a study that should give most people pause: The corporate CEOs of companies that made big layoffs during the recession made a lot more money than the 'average' CEO.

The latest annual executive compensation survey showed that the big bosses at the "layoff leaders" took home an average pay of almost $12 million last year.

With the nation's unemployment rate at more than 9 percent, housing sales down and other signs of economic woes continuing, how does that sit with you?

It's a safe bet to say that most of us know someone who has lost their job or seen their hours or pay cut. Or maybe it's happened to you or your significant other.

The question isn't really whether CEO pay should be capped, although people seem to have strong feelings about that. The question is one of propriety, of appearance, even (dare I say) of morality.

With millions of Americans struggling to pay their bills, feed their families or hold on to their homes, is it okay for CEOs to reap such big rewards for downsizing their companies? Or is that just the price of doing business?