I am opposed to the United States Government paying for the Professional Sports Players that are competing in the Beijing Olympics while I am in favour of the Government paying for the Amateur Players. My reasons are based on the fact that professional sports players in the United States of America earn more than a Physician, Nurse, Social Worker, or Pharmacist combined and the fact that they have corporate sponsors such as Visa, or other Multinational Companies such as Coca Cola. In fact, we the taxpayers are already paying for the lifestyle of the Professional Player in America and with some exceptions the majority does not give back to the community.

On the other hand, I think the United States Government should withdraw its troops from the Middle East and other parts of the world with the intention of using that money to fund athletes who cannot fend for themselves. How many amateur athletes in America have to overcome obstacles from the home and from the governing elite in order to excel. While Life is not easy and fair, the amateur deserves all of the opportunity if he or she is willing to pay the price and practice until they classify for the Olympics. We have talent that is wasted on professional athletes without taking into account that the Olympics started with Amateur Players. There are other countries who grant all of the help and aid to their sports representatives including the professionals. Yet, we do not help the amateurs but help the professional indirectly.

It should be fair that if we can help the professionals indirectly we should help the amateurs or better yet, give Government help to the Amateurs while the Professionals can receive help from the corporate conglomerates. In addition, Government help to the Amateur Athletes will balance the Corporate Help for the Professional Athletes and would help the United States advance in future Olympics. It would be money well spent compared to the money that is spent on wars, politicians’ personal retirements, or even campaigns [which are funded with taxpayer money].

Again, this does not mean that I am in favour of the government helping ALL of the athletes. I am just saying that the Professional Athletes who are competing in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics do not deserve to receive help from the Government of the United States of America since they earn more than other professions while the Amateur Athletes need help from the Government taking into account that the majority of these athletes come from families that cannot afford the best in sports equipment, or a gym. Money that would be spent elsewhere would be better spent helping an amateur athlete who comes from a rough neighborhood and whose ambition is to excel in the sports of his or her choice.