Hard work does not equal effective work. Normal people pay money to go watch freaks of nature do incredible athletic feats. They do not pay to watch stewardess pass out pretzels.

Alternately, has anyone else besides me observed that the near-extinction of the middle class has pretty much been tied in with the bloated union contracts for semi-skilled and outmoded labor.

“Are all you anti-union people who feel that front-line workers (like flight attendants) are over-paid equally outraged at the bloated salaries of, say, news anchors, basketball players and corporate CEOs?”

I watch the news because of Tom Brokaw. I attend basketball games because Kobe Bryant is playing. I invest in companies because of good management – management that hires good people – management that optimizes balance sheets and funding – management that makes stock prices go up.

“Is Michael Eisner REALLY worth all the money he’s earned?”

I don’t know. I don’t follow the company. If, under his leadership, I make money as an owner of the company, pay the man. As long as it is in line with what I made as an owner of the company.

“How much skill or talent is required to read a tele-prompter?”

Obviously more than you have or you would be on TV.

“Do the Lakers play basketball any harder than your typical unpaid high school team?”

Hard work does not equal effective work. Nor do normal people pay money to go watch freaks of nature do incredible athletic feats.

See, this is where your analogy falls flat. A newscaster or pro sports figure gets paid – no doubt about it. But, they bring in multiples of their salary in revenue.

The question becomes how much incremental revenue above does that stewardess earn for the company?

If the stewies primary job is “to ensure that security and safety regulations are followed”, then you should get paid like a rent-a-cop or a compliance officer AKA the dregs of civilized society.

Are all you anti-union people who feel that front-line workers (like flight attendants) are over-paid equally outraged at the bloated salaries of, say, news anchors, basketball players and corporate CEOs? How much skill or talent is required to read a tele-prompter? Do the Lakers play basketball any harder than your typical unpaid high school team? Is Michael Eisner REALLY worth all the money he’s earned?

I’d sure like to know what power came down out of the sky and made every American a professional, self-appointed comparative-worth specialist — but ONLY toward blue collar, front line employees!