Why DO they do it?
The Merchants of Right Wing Rhetoric, day in, day out --
Why do they push the envelope -- test the boundaries of civility;
abandon the need for Facts;
and stir up the base emotions of people, so that they might act, and vote, against their own best interests?
Two Words -- The Money!
The Gig pays very, very well ...
for some "cases" in point, just keep reading ...
A Lucrative Deal for Rush Limbaugh
By Brian Stelter, NYTimes -- July 3, 2008
The A.M. radio host will be paid about $400 million to continue serving up his daily dose of conservative patter through 2016. His $50 million a year paycheck represents a raise of about $14.4 million a year over his current contract, which was paying him $285 million over eight years and was set to expire in 2009.
Limbaugh: $50 Million a year. Check!
assuming 200 shows per year:
that's approx. $250,000 per episode. [ Ugh! thru 2016? ]
Glenn Beck
Wikipedia
In June 2009, estimators at Forbes calculated Beck's earnings over the previous 12 months at $23 million, with 2009–2010 revenues on track to be higher.[28] In April 2010, Forbes calculated Beck's earnings for the previous year (March 2009 - March 2010) to be $32 million.[2]
"Glenn Beck has managed to monetize virtually everything that comes out of his mouth."
— Forbes magazine, April 2010[2][3]
Beck: $32 Million a year. Check!
assuming 200 shows per year:
that's approx. $160,000 per episode.
WSJ: Hannity inks $100 million deal
Michael Calderone, Politico -- July 21, 2008
Limbaugh's deal was reported in the $400 million range over eight years. So what's Hannity pulling in?
[ according to the WSJ: ]
The companies didn't disclose financial terms, but a person familiar with the matter says Mr. Hannity was offered in the region of $100 million over five years. On top of that, Mr. Hannity will participate in profits from the show
Hannity: $20 Million a year. Check!
assuming 200 shows per year:
that's approx. $100,000 per episode.
Top TV Salaries
By James Hibberd, Reuters -- Aug 11, 2010
Bill O'Reilly (Fox News) $15 million (per year)
Bill O: $15 Million a year. Check!
assuming 200 shows per year:
that's approx. $75,000 per episode.
The Revolution Will Be Commercialized
by Gabriel Sherman, NYMag.com -- Apr 25, 2010
The numbers are staggering. Over the past year, Palin has amassed a $12 million fortune
Palin: $12 Million a year. (so far) Check!
assuming 200 outbursts per year:
that's approx. $60,000 per episode.
That's Hollywood!
===============
For some benchmark comparisons, here are some salaries of people that actually work for a living -- sometimes anyways.
Salaries and Benefits of US Congress Members
By Robert Longley, About.com Guide
Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2010) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.
Senate Leadership: Majority Party Leader - $193,400
House Leadership: Speaker of the House - $223,500
President of the United States
wikipedia
The president earns a $400,000 annual salary, along with a $50,000 annual expense account, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account and $19,000 for entertainment.[36][37] The most recent raise in salary was approved by Congress and President Bill Clinton in 1999 and went into effect in 2001.
Rank-and-file Congress members: $174,000 a year. Check!
assuming 200 working days per year:
that's a whopping $870.00 per day [ That's Hundreds -- with an 'H' ]
Senate Majority Leader: $193,400 a year. Check!
assuming 200 working days per year:
that's a whopping $967.00 per day
Speaker of the House: $223,500 a year. Check!
assuming 200 working days per year:
that's a whopping $1,118.00 per day
President, Salary + Perks: $569,000 a year. Check!
assuming 200 working days per year:
that's a respectable $2,845.00 per day [ BUT still -- that's 90x less than Rush;
20x less than Sarah.]
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Now ask yourself which group would continue working, if their Salaries were suddenly slash to one-tenth of what they are now making ...
and which group would probably take a hike, and go live off their bank accounts?
Answer that -- and you'll know who are the Public Servants, and WHO are just Entertainers.
I bet ya, you can caption these better than me. ... have at it.
The Show must GO on!