Society rewards the idiot

How come society rewards the idiot? In today's society, the one who does the least important work almost always makes the most money. Lawyers, politicians, stock brokers etc. are rich, while cops, scientists and teachers are paid next to nothing.

Why the hell is this? What can be done? And why could most people care less?

>>2
I agree that America is a fucked-up society of freaks and fatties who could give two shits about the consequences of their hedonistic lifestyles, but is that really why the entire world is going to hell in a handbasket? There must be something else to it.