How much does that cost?

On my continuing questioning on how we spend whatever penitence for our hard work brings use entertainment. We are surrounded and engulfed by entertainment. Books, motion pictures, music, television, news, advertising, radio, magazines, etc. are all available for the purpose of entertaining us. The actors and actresses are treated like royalty (until they grow old and fat) while the serfs that make the magic happen rarely get a gold statue.

While brings me to this week’s extravaganza: The Olympics. Young lads and lassies from all over the globe will gather in one spot for a few days of friendly competition to show who is the strongest or fastest to get to wear a necklace. For a brief moment in time you can be known as the best and have your picture on a cereal box. Don’t worry second place and third place; you are already forgotten.

After hours and hours of painstaking training for years and years to earn a spot at this event with hopes of getting an endorsement contract or move into entertainment like Disney-On-Ice for there are few employment opportunities for ½ pipe snowboarders.

While each of these athletes has their passions and their dreams, there is a bit of expense required. Family and community support goes so far and perhaps a kick-starter can help but because these are America’s youth, the government chips in.

All the matching uniforms and transportation and meals and medical attention for the entourage along with the athletes has a cost. No taxpayer expense is denied so that national pride can refresh those sitting on the couches eating nachos and drinking their beer.

While there is hungry and homeless and sick and weary, we prefer to be entertained by people sliding down mountains or skating in circles with the chance of being the one winner.

Since the games began with the noble ideal of getting friends and enemies to compete for the masses for bragging rights. With little fanfare, competitors would show their skills and techniques, usually naked, to be adorn with the wreath and everyone left better for the experience.

Today sports are about military honor, explosions, flyovers, marching bands and talking heads all diverting attention away from the game. Luckily instant replays can recapture that special moment over and over again.

The U. S. of the A. spends billions (with the ‘B’) on these games without getting any financial reward or national security or political alliances. Unlike rock concerts or sports stadiums, there are no sponsors but the American taxpayer who foots the bills. Get out the credit card.