Why Does John Calipari Deserve 10-Times More Money Than Obama ?

Feb 22, 2009: President Barack Obama hosts the first state dinner for the 50 United States governors.

The agenda is to offer $787 billion in stimulus money to prevent states that are going bankrupt from shortfalls from cutting jobs and programs in education nationwide, to make sure states aren't forced to cut-off paying unemployment and disability checks to those in need. 

Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear, is one of the first with his hand out and accepts $3 billion to preserve what he calls "quality of life" in the state.

Little did we know, more than two months later, quality of life in Kentucky means paying the most prestigious school in the state's basketball coach $31 million.

University of Kentucky, who announced earlier this year, that it will be forced to give a 5 percent hike in tuition to it's student base, later announced that they'd still be forced to fire 15 staff members and cut 170 unfilled jobs.

During this crisis, Athletic Director, Mitch Barnhart, is handing out a $4 million a year salary to one state employee.

Barnhart, who is quick to squash any rumors, puts in a mild disclaimer during the press conference that the revenue that pays its coaches comes from revenue generated by the Athletic Department and not that of taxpayer dollars. 

Kentucky taxpayers pay a $400,000 base salary; the school pays Calipari, which by coincidence matches the exact same paycheck per year that President Obama receives for the highest position in all of U.S. government.

If Barnhart needs to justify in an unsolicited explanation that the lucrative salary deal is not that of the taxpayers, then whom does he think he is fooling?

All revenue earned by the government belongs to the people in, which the government serves. The money is to be spent in a manner that benefits the body of people whom reside within the borders of the State of Kentucky. 

Let's not mention, the two antique cars, the country club membership (of his choice), and a $3 million bonus if he stays all the way to 2016.

Last I checked, Calipari doesn't lace his shoes and shoot, grab a rebound or even make a steal—he is merely the director of his five-man show.

The casts of the show are the ones who earn the TV revenue share, other sponsors and the conference revenues, which is what is used to pay Calipari.

One would wonder why his job as a Tennessee state employee with University of Memphis, at $2.35 million, wasn't enough so he needed to double his salary at another state job.

How do coaches add up to their state's highest elected official?

Kentucky Governor, Beshear, earns $103,018.

Tennessee Governor, Phil Bredesen, makes $155,000.

Minnesota Govenor, Tim Palenty, rounds in at $120,303, while University of Minnesota’s, Tubby Smith, trumps him with $1.75 million.

The list goes on and on in Division I NCAA basketball and football programs.

U.S. Senators and Representatives earn $174,000…a tenth of Tubby Smith's salary to work at the federal level.

Shame on you Kentucky!

UK students and faculty must do whatever they can to block, not celebrate, the hiring of Calipari, as the bar, now, has been set at $4 million a year for state employees…10 times more than the U.S. President.

This is certainly an outrage!