What a time to be alive

As one of the most influential years in US History comes to a close, I just felt the need to start writing down thoughts and concerns as they come.

Nobody will ever doubt the election of Barack Obama as the President of the United States signalled a definitive change in direction for not only the country but the world. It shows there really are no limits if you set your sights high enough, believe strongly enough and persevere through everything thrown in your path. It also showed the country is ready for something different than the past. Only time will tell if it's better, but given the current environment and situation the country is in, I don't see how it couldn't be. All I know for sure is the job of the President is one that I have never dreamed of having nor would I care to have. I have enough stress in my own life without the added responsibility of running one of the greatest countries.

We all know the economy is in deep trouble. I've got some basics thoughts about how to fix it. First, wouldn't it be great if all the professional athletes decided to donate 10% of their salaries to helping rebuild run-down, impoverished communities. I mean, if you're making $2,000,000 a year, what's $200,000 in the big picture? If you got 20 or more players together, you're looking at more than $4,000,000 that could be used for rebuilding the poor areas of the urban centers through out the country. I don't know enough about the economics of it all, but I know that would in turn mean more jobs created in order to build the new housing. Why should we wait on the government to help restart this country.

My second idea is a corollary to the first. What if all corporate officers agreed to taking a cut so the difference between the top and bottom salaries were a factor of 50? If the CEO couldn't make more than 50 times the mail clerk, or whoever is the lowest paid FTE, it would mean the bottom salaries would definitely raise and that would also impact outside jobs since there would be more disposal income available to a larger group of people.

Any thoughts? Comments?