The numbers dont add up

The numbers don't add up. Manny "Mr. Selfish" Ramirez $45 million for two years, Ray "I killed a man in a knife fight" Lewis $25 million for three years, and Kurt Warner, $23 million for two years. Contrast that with the 74 year old Chiropractor who lived down the street who lost his home five months ago, the man I attend Church with who has a wife and two kids and loses his retail job tomorrow, the friend with a family of 6 who lost his job after 9 years as one of the top producers in sales in his company.


Is it just me, or is there something out of sorts here? This does not add up...

Hello, does anyone remember we are in a recession? A recession that has roots in greed? The American public is outraged at the Wall Street barons who robbed us blind, extended the country credit beyond most people's ability to pay through junk mortgages and credit cards. As tax payers we are now going to be paying for this greed for decades, but the band just keeps playing in professional sports. Show me the money.

Earlier this week I wrote about the out of balance situation of youth sports and the culture of success at all costs. Hmmmm, wonder where these parents and coaches are getting these ideas? Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain spent over $1.22 million to renovate his office in early 2008, just as his firm was getting ready to slash thousands of jobs, cut back on spending and dump businesses. My eight year old son's soccer coach is insisting each family buy new uniforms because the T-shirts the city gave the kids to play in are not cool enough? I ask, which is worse, both are unnecessary expenses in a climate of economic distress?

I draw a correlation of the current economic crisis to a way of living too many people have grown accustomed to, show over substance. Glitz over character, style over strength. If the US wants to climb back out of the economic crisis we are in, its time to make fundamental changes in the way we think, act and spend.

Think about it, $45 million dollar contracts to play baseball, $1.22 million to decorate an office and $50 for unnecessary soccer uniforms so we can look better on a soccer field. Common sense is thrown out when it comes to a focus of style, greed and show over substance, character and strength. I choose the latter, how about you?