Posted by Volksgirl at 205.247.207.211 on February 13, 2003 at 12:46:47:
In Reply to: Sports figures' salaries and a rant posted by SamLowry on February 13, 2003 at 12:35:51:
While I do agree that these actors/athletes are paid a lot and maybe too much for what they do, I have a different view on the rest of the professions. We all make choices in our lives/careers. I'll admit if I was better at sports I may have pursued that in hopes of a more lucrative career, but I wasn't, so I chose engineering. Which actually doesn't pay as well as most people think. I did it because it was fascinating to me, and I still have fun with it every day. Hopefully teachers choose that profession because they find it rewarding. And most policemen and firefighters enjoy their jobs as well. Of course we wish they got paid more, but our government can't afford it. And unless Americans are willing to pay more taxes they won't be paid more. So in a way, it's all of our fault. Also, sports figures and actors will inevitably go through a stage where they aren't needed or desired. They become has-beens. I imagine that to be a tough time, and one I'm glad I will never have to go through. In our field, we get paid more the more experience we have and we get more respect. If a famous person loses their appeal, or if an athlete gets injured, they're out. It's a risk, one they were willing to take. So I'm not jealous or sick, because I'm happy with my choice.
: It infuriates me that players of sports (and some actors, too, let's be fair -- does someone REALLY do $20 million worth of acting for a picture?) are paid multimillion dollars for it, while teachers, librarians, and other people who actually accomplish things to help people in this country are paid squat. Policeman and firefighters who put their lives on the line daily are being denied pay increases. Teachers will do far more to influence and help the youth of America than, say, Emmitt Smith or Mark McGwire. I'm sorry, but it's true. And while the sports figures have their money guaranteed, the teachers are working 60-80 hours a week and getting bugger-all to show for it.
: Jealous? Never. Sick, yes.