AIG executives may be the most hated people in America today — or at least in Washington. Politicians are absolutely furious that the insurance giant, which received a government bailout, plans to pay its executives $165 million in bonuses.

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank blasted the company this morning, and suggested to the "Today" show that it may be time for AIG, 80% of which is owned by the federal government, to start cleaning shop: "These people may have a right to their bonuses but they don’t have a right to their jobs forever." Frank went on to intimate that the government could claim that right: "These bonuses are going to people who screwed this thing up enormously … Since the federal government … now essentially owns that company, maybe it’s time to fire some people."

Sen. Russ Feingold also joined the chorus. He sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urging the administration to overturn the bonuses. Wrote Feingold:

As you know, the federal government has provided AIG with $170 billion in taxpayer money and currently owns 80% of the company … I share your outrage that a company which has been bailed out by the taxpayers for its mistakes would turn around and pay its executives such a staggering sum of money.

Feingold also said he and his allies will look into the legal options for blocking the bonuses. A number of other politicians have also filed critical letters, including Rep. Elijah Cummings and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Describing the bonuses as "unconscionable," Pelosi wrote, "I call upon the executives at AIG to right the wrong they have done to American taxpayers, who are footing the bill for the most expensive government rescue in history. They should renounce the bonuses and refuse the excessive retention pay they previously agreed to."

AIG, of course, insists the company’s contractually obligated to pay their employees — including $9.5 million to its top executives. Further, AIG says the extra dough helps them keep "the best and the brightest." Those are the same people who led the company to the brink of collapse.