Posts Tagged ‘lobbyists’
The NBA Finals: Buy our shoes…or build a shoe factory!
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Friday, 05 June 2009 12:34
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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…

marketingdeals2007-2008

 
*Obama redefines “Change We Can Believe In”
Written by Santiago
Wednesday, 04 February 2009 04:53
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(Editor's note: Due to the lack of timely editing, this post should have been posted on Tuesday morning. In light of Wednesday's news, Santiago must be credited for Obama's disowning of Mr. Tom Daschle. Thanks Santiago for keeping BO in check.)

It was reported in The New York Times yesterday that Barack Obama’s rhetoric of ushering in a new era of responsibility in ethics reform, etc., is at odds with his actions thusfar as president. As a side note, it makes for comical reading as The Times desperately tries to justify the obvious inconsistencies between the Anointed One’s rhetoric and his actions. But I digress…

From the New York Times:

Barack Obama vowed to slay the demons of Washington, bar lobbyists from his administration and usher in what he would later call in his Inaugural Address a “new era of responsibility..” What he did not talk much about were the asterisks.

Oh, those pesky asterisks. I’m sure the liberal nutroots and quasi-intellectuals who elected Obama thought the man really meant what he said. However, he has shown he had other things in mind when he spoke of his "new era of responsibility " in cleaning up the beltway. So far, his commitment to clean up Washington has resulted in two cabinet picks who neglected to pay their taxes–one of which has withdrawn in disgrace. The other, former Senator Tom Daschle, while not withdrawing his name from consideration, has assured the American people that he is deeply sorry for his failure to pay $128,000 in back taxes. That’s “comforting.” I’m feeling much better now, especially since Obama has tendered his unconditional support of Daschle.

If that weren’t enough, there is the lobbyist who is now set to become the No. 2 guy at the Pentagon, and there are others who have been brought onboard the O’Train which we could rightfully call unregistered lobbyists. And let’s not forget how Obama’s administration worked their butts off lobbying legislators in order to pass a trillion dollar bailout package.

Kind of makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That’s what I call, “Change We Can Believe In.”