Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Spread the Wealth

Two things I heard this morning on the news that gave a little cause for pause:

1.) People and OK magazines are in a bidding war for the rights to publish the first photos of Brad & Angelina's new bubs. Current asking price: $15 MILLION. And this price is expected to climb even higher!!!

2.) T.O. just signed a 4-year deal with the Cowboys. $34M for four years, plus an $11ishM sign-on bonus.

What the fuck? All-up, that's $60M being paid for crap that does nothing to make the world a better, safer place to live. No one is being healed, no resources are being conserved. OK, well maybe the magazines make my world a better place when I'm sitting in an airport twiddling my thumbs .... but you get the idea.

Why is it that money is abundant when it comes time for stuff like this, but teachers have to fight tooth and nail to be adequately paid? When the city needs more police officers there isn't enough money? When ~50M people can't afford any health insurance ... too bad for them?

Granted, Brad Pitt is generous with his money. But let's face it, I really don't think most gazillionaires or corporations are. Say what you want, but I don't think making $1B a year profit or income, then giving a $10,000 donation make you a saint. Look at the recent season of Celebrity Apprentice -- these celebs had to beg their stingy black book friends for measly $1,000 and $5,000 donations. Richard Branson was practically enshrined for giving $10,000. C'mon .. the guy is a billionaire. Cough it up!

I'm telling you people -- priorities are out of whack. I'm all in favor of capitalism, but somewhere along the line something seems to have gone awry. I'm no bleeding heart, but waste kinda makes me sick. And wasting $15M on a stupid baby pic is just dumb.

6 comments:

schue said...

Well, Brad and Ange are planning on giving it all to charity. But why a magazine would pay that much for a baby pic is pretty nuts.
As for T.O. - sports paychecks have always made me scratch my head.

Sandi said...

It's nice that Bradgelina will give it all to charity. They set a great example, but why can't People or OK magazine just give that kind of money to charity?

T.O--there's a lesson for everyone. Be a complete asshole and disliked by one and all and you will be well paid. I seriously doubt that jerk gives one penny to charity.

Los said...

Yeah, but who's watching all these reality shows and the E-channel? Those are the people to blame, right?

Shelley Jaffe said...

When I think of all of the women every day who have babies without all the fanfare, of their struggles and trials, I find this whole celebrity baby fascination thing absurd. What, are most celebrity women born without reproductive organs, so having a baby is a miraculous event? Bah.

Lisa said...

Good for the Brangelina's to donate the money to charity! I think what's most disappointing is that anyone would pay that much money for something so stupid, but it's so hard to come up with money for things that really matter.

....Babs Peapod

who said...

I've never understood the unbelievable amount of money paid for tossing a ball around! Ra