by Eric Armstrong

Created on: February 06, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Absolutely not, and I'll tell you why. This topic has been debated since the inception of playing children's games for money. The premise looks ridiculous at first glance. But really, how ridiculous is it? Is it not ridiculous also politicians get paid to destroy the country from the inside? Is it not ridiculous that lawyers get paid to keep felons out on our streets? At least professional athletes provide something useful to the country. Entertainment is an important part of life, and the professional sports industry is at the top of its game.

The reason athletes receive such a high salary is because they have mass appeal. Their client data-base(you and me) ranks among the highest of any profession in the world. This industry should not be condemned but praised for having discovered such a lucrative method for exploiting capitalism. Is this not the American way? Are we not to champion those who by innovation, invention, business savvy, and ingenuity deliver to the American people what they want? If people are willing to pay grotesque amounts of money to be entertained for a couple of hours then why not let them do it?

What if a restaurant owner wanted to charge $3,000 for a hamburger? Should there be law to stop him? Of course not! And if some fool felt so inclined to pay that $3,000 for his hamburger are we going to take the restaurant owner's profit from him because we feel that he's just making to much money? Some professions are more respectable than others; however, the profit earned in any profession belongs entirely to that man who has earned it, regardless of the amount.

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