What is talent, and how should we pay for it? Among the many who aren't sure of the right answer is -- you guessed it -- Congress. Last month, the House moved to shame some key, ambitious, highly paid risk-taking players in an industry by passing the Corporate and Financial Institution Compensation Fairness Act. The same day, the House dealt with a key, ambitious, highly paid risk-taking player in another industry by drafting a resolution of congratulation.

In the first instance the House focused on financial executives. In the second instance the key player was, literally, a player -- pitcher Mark Buehrle, whom Congress was rewarding for an action rare and sublime -- pitching a perfect game.

The compensation bill is fairly mild. Congress wants to make it easier for...