Why is Congress wasting their time with baseball?
February 14th, 2008Ok, folks, this pisses me off. We have some serious matters at hand. We’re currently in not one, but two wars. We have huge budget problems.
We have a deficit of over $9 trillion. With a population of 304 million people, that leaves each one of us with a greater than $30,000 share of the debt.
We have an energy problem. Sure, maybe not right this minute, but it will be. I know energy is about the most unsexy issue out there, but it’s something we’ll need to discuss.
We have a problem with illegal immigration. Bush claims there are terrorists who want to kill us. That’s nice. Ever consider all they’d have to do is jump over the Mexican border? If terrorism was really a problem, why does Bush leave our borders wide open?
Several counties in Georgia have little to no water. There are still Americans displaced because of Hurricane Katrina.
So why is Congress talking about baseball?
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who was thinking that!
It has to do with the anti-trust protection that MLB has (no other sport has this, not even the NFL) the whole reason Congress got involved is because baseball had its thumb up its ass for the last 15 years about drugs. Bud Selig is probably the most corrupt Commish in baseball (possibly sports) history. There has always been a relationship between Congress and MLB because of the anti-trust exemption and whenever they mess up all Congress has to do is say, “Hey let us in and poke around or we’ll yank your anti-trust exemption”. And ZS actually our budget problems aren’t as bad as everyone says, I know $9 trillion is an incocievable amount of money but in relation to our GDP its better than nearly the rest of the world, and in percentage points its less (in inflation adjusted dollars) than during the Clinton years. You know I am no fan of Bush, but I will defend him from time to time. If you have anymore questions about this feel free to ask me. Sports and politics are my 2 favorite things and its not often that they overlap like they are now. But yes I agree that they have better things to do but seriously man its Congress, don’t get your expectations too high
Although I agree with you we are attacking none of the problems we should be, getting steroids out of sports is important. Too many high school and college players are being pushed into steroids by coaches because of society’s acceptance. Not only do we need steroids out of all sports but we need to go after high school coaches who push them for child abuse, and we need to supend all in professional sports who use them as a signal to our society.
Courtney - Good. I’m glad it’s not just me.
Ben - I know. You love sports as much as I do, probably even more so.
Now, anti-trust, if they’re willing to break up a monopoly, then I’d be all for Congress getting in. As you know, a true conservative is all about breaking trusts.
Agreed that the NFL is not a monopoly. There are have been plenty of competing leagues in its history and once they even merged with another league. You’re probably old enough to remember the USFL and I’m sure you remember the XFL.
But they’re more going after steroid use which is a police issue, or FBI if it’s Federal. Congress shouldn’t be involved.
As for Bush, the times I’ve defended him weren’t so popular. For example, I liked John Bolton, who the liberals hated with a passion.
Geopax - Still, a police issue, not really Congressional. I think we have bigger fish to fry.
Totally agree!
I was literally grinding my teeth when I heard this on the news this morning!
They deal with what they understand best?
I agree about Congress and after this, this is the last time that Congress will be involved in this issue ever again. Let’s hope that is the case. Right now I need to get back to politics, I’m tired of baseball already and the season doesn’t start for another 6 fricken weeks.
and no I’m only 21 don’t remember the USFL, and yes I sadly remember the XFL. Don’t forget about arena football though, it has stood on its own for 20+ years and in my opinion is very fun to watch.
Tshsmom - I can see that. What a waste of our taxpayer money!
Bridget - Maybe so.
Ben - Arena football is still going strong, isn’t it? I actually want to see some Arena football games. Might be a lot of fun.
The XFL was so poorly marketed it was doomed to fail. They marketed it for the cheerleaders, which I’m afraid nobody went to see. I don’t even know if my beloved Packers have cheerleaders or not. I want to watch the game.
I have no idea ZS but the world is in a mess :[
While I agree with you that it seems Congress has better things to do (like impeaching a certain President and his icky VP), I have enjoyed seeing Roger Clemens (whom I’ve never liked) squirming and lying through his friggin’ teeth.
Miladysa - ‘Tis.
Kathleen - I barely know who Roger Clemens is. I’m a hard-core Packer fan, but haven’t followed baseball in years.
Congress has more important things to worry about than baseball. However, performance-enhancing drugs need to be vanquished from sports. There should be a unified drug-testing program for all pro sports because some, like MLB, refuse to police themselves and let cheaters become heroes. The Commisioner, Bud Selig, and the MLBPA head jackass, Donald Fehr, have tarnished the game and need to leave the game in shame. They’re pathetic people with too much power.
A couple cool things. A few years ago a father, whose son died from steroids, stood in front of Congress and all the roid-clowns and said something like, “My son is dead because he wanted to emulate you guys. You’re a bunch of cowards.” And the great pitcher, Pedro Martinez, just said, “I’m proud to say I never took that junk and I dominated the Steroids Era.”
Skeletor - Bud Selig ought to be brought up on obstructing justice chargers.
If Pedro Martinez was telling the truth, then he’s awesome.