WELCOME to another episode of the Twilight Zone, where our society does not have money to adequately fund public schools; yet, some member in our society has enough money to pay Mariah Carey $18 million to be the newest judge on American Idol. Wait, here come the music….and Rob Sterling confirms, “You are now entering the Twilight Zone.”

Enraged, I realized even in 100 years, at my current salary, I would not earn close to $18 million. Is this why wealthy Americans deserve the tax breaks they currently receive from the government? The argument is that these tax breaks allow the wealthy to create jobs for the middle and working class in society, no? I hadn’t realized that people like Mariah Carey, and Britney Spears, who was paid $15 million when she signed on as a judge on the X-Factor, qualified as middle or working class.

It is irrelevant how much money they have grossed in the past “x” number of years, the demand for their brand, or the extent of their talent. I simply cannot understand, and will never accept, a society where money, “politics,” and man- made formulas take precedent over humanity, equity, and the universal truths/virtues of life.

No matter how you look at it, that’s $33 million for the employment of only twopeople. Imagine how many teachers you could employ or the number of schools we could better fund with $33 million.

Teachers “step on stage” everyday and assume a variety of roles: singer, actor, author, comedian, therapist, motivational speaker, IT technician (then we improve) in order to reach and teach students. Still, many Americans think teachers are already overpaid and privileged, despite the insurmountable challenges. Perplexed I ask, “If teachers are overpaid and privileged, then how do you explain the paychecks cashed by celebrities, professional athletes, and even reality television personalities?”

Hollywood stars definitely entertain the masses and generate revenue, but as a nation, we need to get our priorities straight. No product exists without a source or creator. In America, once we receive the product, we ignore, neglect, and forget about the creator– that is until the consumer has a complaint, needs more, or is looking for an upgraded model. Mariah Carey, and any other celebrity or professional, is a product of teachers encountered along life’s journey.

Now, I believe that as individuals we all sculpt and build who we become in the future, but we need to remember that we are all products of countless teachers; how can we neglect the ones who provide us with the tools to manifest dreams in to reality? Entertainment over education– this is what needs to be reformed. If this nation does not have the money to employ teachers, then Mariah should be standing with other Americans in the unemployment line.