Yeah, the Lakers won the first game of the NBA Finals. Whoopee! I wish I cared. I am so sick of hearing about the salaries of CEOs and government employees, but only a mild rumble about the profligate salaries of pro athletes. I know, I’ve already written on the subject. But, one thing I didn’t contribute to that conversation was the idea of “earmarks.”

You, most likely, are aware that the vast number of politicians are elected on the contingency of the bacon they can bring home. So, what are earmarks? Well, they are one of those unfortunate, “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours,” ideals that exist in our government today. It’s like this: “We will give you monetary and political support if (when you win) you will fund our ‘Save the Rapists’ fund.'” Okay, that may be a little exaggerated, but still, some earmarks are pretty ridiculous.

So, what does this have to do with sports? I’m glad you asked. Why do we not pounce on pro athletes like we do politicians? When you think about it, sports is just a form of entertainment, and athletes aren’t even required to be citizens. Yet, many pro athletes are rewarded for their incredible skills with ludicrous salaries (ones much greater than politicians), and then they are presented with inconceivable commercial endorsements. Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Gatorade — these are some, but not all of the common player endorsements in sports.

Earmarks? Endorsements? What in the wide, wide world of sports is the connection?

They are one in the same. Yes, political earmarks are nothing more than professional endorsements. It has nothing to do with ideology, but it is “all about the Benjamins.” That’s right. Do you think that corporations or organizations really give a hoot about ideology? No. They care about profit margins, just like the endorsers of pro athletes. They all just want to make a buck. Just look at the newly blossomed relationship between Obama and General Electric. Do you really think that GE supports Obama's promise of universal health care? Of course not. GE just wants the contracts for all of the new technology Obama wants to implement, namely the implementation of online medical records.

So, as you think of criticizing politicians, check this out. I have embedded a chart from Nate Jones' website JonesOnTheNBA.com. Just look at what some NBA players are pulling in…AFTER…their players' salaries. And you say you don’t like earmarks…