Let’s see – we’ve got a mistake war in Iraq to figure out, a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan, a weak dollar and an economy on the verge of recession. These are only a few of the important issues facing our country.
What better time for Congress to hold hearings on steroids in baseball?!
Give me a freakin’ break! Let me be clear – as a sports fan, I care about the integrity of baseball. Everyone involved in Major League Baseball (MLB) has ignored the problem far too long. But why does Congress (yes, the Democratic-controlled Congress) see the need to stick their nose into it? Didn’t we send these people to Washington for much more important endeavors?
I suppose one could make a rational argument that as a multi-billion dollar business, MLB employs many Americans and has many businesses from t-shirt manufacturers to beer distributors which depend upon the game. If baseball is not seen as a fair contest where rules are applied evenly, then interest may wane further, thus throwing a not-insignificant portion of our economy into turmoil.
I get that argument. The problem is, there are MANY other issues that are more important now. How much staff time has been spent on these hearings so far? Of course, wasting time on testimony about an entertainment industry is merely a symptom of the larger problem. Politicians of all stripes are stuck in a permanent campaign cycle where scoring political points is more important than governing wisely. If you live in an area with rabid baseball fans, chances are you’re going to be thankful of Congress’ efforts.
BUT IT’S WRONG! Geez Louise. I don’t care if Congress started holding hearings tomorrow into why UNC-Chapel Hill went to the free throw line so many more times than Clemson the other night, (a worthy topic if there ever was one…) they would be neglecting more important things to do so.
The solution starts with us. Frankly, we have to demand better of our elected officials at all levels. We have to let them think big to solve the big problems we face, instead of punishing them for not catering to our every political whim. In sum, we have to be a better informed electorate.
If we don’t start juicing ourselves with information, we’re going to keep on striking out.
3 responses so far ↓
inadvertentgardener // February 13, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Is the problem the ill-informed electorate? Or the mass media outlets who spent an awful lot of time today on close-ups of Roger Clemens’ downtrodden face?
It’s probably a combination of both, but the whole thing definitely disturbs me — and you know what a rabid baseball fan and virulent anti-steroid person I am. I think the sport itself should take hold and deal with the steroids and other drugs in its midst. Face the situation as it stands: the sport has lost its integrity, and that’s truly tragic.
I agree — this truth doesn’t require Congressional approval.
That Girl // February 14, 2008 at 8:47 am
As far as I’m concerned, every member of that Committee needs to be voted out of office in November. There is no excuse for wasting time and MONEY on this kind of hearing right now when people can’t even pay their mortgages. I wonder how many American could have benefited from some mortgage help out of the money spent to make this hearing happen. How much does it cost to do a Congressional hearing? Probably more than we can imagine (or would want to know).
Political Junkie // February 14, 2008 at 9:16 am
Our country is going to hell and all our Congress worries about is steroids and baseball. Parents of kids who play sports are part of the reason for the hearings - they have pressured their Congressman to investigate the source of the steroids used at the high school level - some young men have died from using steroids. Of course, they have reason to be concerned if their child is taking steroids in high school to compete, but why not take the responsibility of a parent and keep track of your child and what they are doing & taking to inhance their athletic ability…it’s just way too easy to lay blame anywhere but where it should be.