I have always been extraordinarily irritated by these salaries. When I consider what our school teachers, firefighters, policeman, and EMS professionals are paid in comparison, I seethe, literally boil with fury at such injustice.

Add that to the uniquely nerve-wracking background noise (roaring) created by a crowd of screaming fans that invade my living room every fall and it's just too much for me. I can't even recall when my husband became a baseball sports addict. How did it happen? I refuse to even ask because about the time I swore off professional sports altogether, he began to show greater interest. I'm so bent out of shape about the injustice of the salariesÊ that I refuse to talk about the topic long enough to understand where he's coming from.

So why am I writing about the subject today?

Well, it's like this. I have had it with politics this year. I will never admit it to Daniel, but I have almost enjoyed his ball games in recent days as they have drowned out all the political hoopla that jumps out at one from just about every major network. I know they all (CBS, NBC, ABC and certainly CNN) must continue to do what they can to get George Bush out of the White House. I mean, it is clearly their calling this year!

I can't swear off politics. I would not dare, but if there has ever been a year when I have been tempted, this is it. Bush will get my vote again this year; not because I am overly thrilled with his performance in office, but because John Kerry absolutely terrifies me on just about all fronts. There's not enough money in the country for the guy to spend on all the programs he proposes!

Where, where, where-oh-where is Sam Nunn when we need him? Hmmm. Probably sitting in some baseball stadium somewhere cheering some sports underdog that doesn't deserve it. I do so regret that I never got the chance to vote for Nunn for president. I always felt that he was the best the South has had to offer in my lifetime for that office. But I suspect he had too many scruples to run.

Scruples. What a strange word to use in a column about politicians and sports professionals.

Not that I don't think Bush has scruples. I do. Kerry may even have a few. And the American public? Where are our scruples? I'm so sick of "Give me, give me, give me" until I want to scream.

We as individuals and a nation have spent ourselves into gross fiscal misery. We have placed value on the wrong occupations and praised the wrong performances for far too long.

Come 2008 I'd like to see a school teacher run for our highest office. Now wouldn't that be something to cheer for, campaign for, and just simply stand up and shout about?