Devin Ebanks' Dilemma

Here's a nice dilemma. You have worked hard for fifteen years to become one of the best at what you do. You go to West Virginia University to play for one of the greatest college basketball coaches in history. It's not an easy ride, certainly Bobby Huggins expects the best from his players, no demands the best. You come to the end of your second season and you almost have college basketball figured out. Another season at WVU would polish your skills and miximize your chances of going high in the NBA draft.

But there are lots of reasons to try and go this year before you are fully ready. You might get hurt. Rookie salary rules might change. But here's the biggest issue. Taxes are about to go through the roof on every level because of what Obama and Congress have just done.

You think your hundred million dollar contract pays you that much? Think again. With socialism in place, the idea is to soak the rich. That might soon include Mr. Ebanks. All that money these guys spend on expensive cars, homes, custom clothes, for the most part goes to American workers and businessmen who help these guys craft the image they want. It looks like waste and it is not always smart spending, but it does put Americans to work.

Mr. Ebanks, like most folks, probably wants to make as much money as possible from all the hard work he has put in. And it is hard work to be the best basketball player possible. Weight lifting, endless practicing on all facets of the game, this takes more time and effort than most put into their jobs. Basketball at this level is less a kid's game and more of an entertainment job. Ebanks deserves his money just like anyone else.

Will Ebanks jump to the pros this year? He is still a raw talent, maybe too raw to be drafted high. However if he is drafted, he can at least make some big bucks before the big time taxes kick in.

How high can those taxes go? Ronald Reagan in the late 1930s paid 94% of his income in taxes. Professional athletes can probably expect the same unless we remove Obama and Pelosi from power.