Read the debate intro and Bleacher Fan’s argument that Congress should be involved with sports issues.
This is a topic that just will not go away. Every time I think and hope it fades away, it pops back up. The topic is similar to another in its persistence – Brett Favre. It is like steroids. It is just a plain ole’ bad penny… it is always showing up! Yes, we are talking about Congress getting involved in sports issues. Either the Mountain West Conference commissioner is presenting a playoff scenario to Congress, or a former beloved slugger shows up on Capitol Hill to say, “I’m not here to talk about the past.” These situations are in addition to the issues and past occurrences brought up by Sports Geek in the debate intro.
Political figures do get involved in sports. While I am always weary of that fact, I do not really have a problem with First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden coming to the World Series tonight, even though I doubt they have any rooting interest in the game. They are, after all, planning on visiting a veteran’s medical center later this afternoon, and they are to be commended for that. But, for Congress to have any say in any sports topics and issues is wrong and totally unnecessary.
I have looked far and wide in researching this particular debate and nowhere did I see that one of the roles of Congress has is to intervene in sports activities. The United States Congress has several powers and all of those powers, either directly or indirectly, are tied to the federal government. The BCS system, and any type of playoff system in college football, have absolutely NOTHING to do with the federal government. Steroids in sports have absolutely NOTHING to do with the federal government.
And before you say it… I will go ahead and say it for you – this is a sports blog and we call it The Sports Debates. It is not The Political Debates and it is not Capitol Hill Debates. In the same sense, Congress is a group of politically-minded men and women. Senators and representatives are experienced at making decisions regarding what they and their constituents believe is best interest of our country. They have studied the numbers and studied the laws of our Constitution. They are well-qualified to make those decisions (well, some of them at least!).
What members of Congress are not qualified to do is make decisions involving athletics and sports. Do members of Congress have time to analyze what is best for a particular sport? Sports Geek, Bleacher Fan, and I watch countless hours of college football and then read numerous articles about what we have watched every week and college football in general. To this day we have yet to figure out the best postseason solution is for college football. What makes members of Congress believe they know the answer
Sports Geek pointed this out in the intro, but it is important to remember that sports, as a whole, are purely a form of entertainment. Yes, jobs are often at stake. But, not to those who are being entertained. My life and well-being as a fan of baseball is not in any danger no matter what MLB does in baseball. Baseball is a form of entertainment and a passion of mine, and it has no business being discussed by Senators and Representatives who are in session.
In case you have not noticed, there are countless other things that DO affect lives and DO affect the well-being of others that need to be addressed while Congress is in session. How about our nation’s unemployment rate during this recession? How about healthcare reform? How about the War in Afghanistan, which began in 2001? Heck, Mark McGwire was still playing in 2001!! These are issues that affect our well-being. Congress, and our government as a whole, needs to protect the citizens of this country so we can enjoy things like sports. The government has their hands on everything else. Can’t the government just leave sports alone? Get your priorities in order Congress!
Your blog is very informative how often do you post. Much success with your writings you have very deep thoughts. D C has its own issues to deal with
I agree that D.C. has a few other issues right now! Thanks for the kind words!