Read Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan’s argument about whether or not the U.S. Congress should be involved in sports issues.
The 111th United States Congress is currently in session and there are myriad topics on the agenda. The most talked and written about topic currently up for debate in committees and coming soon to the respective floors of the House and Senate is the Health Care Bill, a bill designed to overhaul the way the United States approaches health care. Other items on the Congressional Agenda? The Unemployment Compensation Act, the EMERGENCY Unemployment Compensation Act, the Assistance for Unemployed Workers Extension Act, the Agent Orange Equity Act, the Wireless Prepaid Access Device Enforcement Act, the Federal Prison Work Incentive Act, etc. Those few items on the Congressional docket do not even come close to scratching the surface. However, what common trait does each of those potential pieces of legislation share? Relevance! It makes sense that Congress is spending time discussing these issues, and each is a contemporary issue of importance to some constituency or to the Federal government.
It turns out, however, that the litany of issues and topics Congress is addressing includes a sports issue. We know from time to time that Congress has inserted itself into sports conversations. We all remember the shaky finger pointing and denials from Rafael Palmiero and the oddity of the de facto trial of Roger Clemens. President George W. Bush even used the highly visible platform of the 2004 State of the Union Address to call for a ban on steroids in baseball. In short, precedent exists for government involvement in sports. But, why does the government care so much?
Perhaps it is a question of confused jurisdiction. Many fans are perplexed by the government involving itself in sports matters. After all, sports are just entertainment, no diplomacy required. To create further confusion the U.S. government does not involve itself in sports in traditional areas that make logical sense. The reason for government involvement is not about millionaire tax evasion or green card issues or visas and international travel. Instead the government is concerned with baseball performance enhancement and, now, its latest muse and a favorite topic of President Barack Obama, the Bowl Championship Series.
In the bizarre tradition of American politics, Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch wrote a 10-page letter to President Obama encouraging him to call for an investigation into the BCS and potential violations of the Sherman-Antitrust Act. It seems like an email would have been quicker. Nevertheless, storm clouds may be gathering over the BCS, despite the BCS chairman’s public refusal of President Obama’s playoff idea.
It is not the job of The Sports Debates to diagnose WHY Congress is involved in what appear to be issues exclusive to an “entertainment holding company” (e.g. the NFL, NBA, etc.). This website exists to determine the big picture issues… like if Congress should be involved in sports in the first place.
Today’s debate question: Should the U.S. Congress get involved with issues specific to sports?
Bleacher Fan will argue that Congress has every right to become involved in sports issues, even though they are a legislative body not an enforcement body. Loyal Homer will argue that Congress should butt out and let the various sports entities govern their own issues like a business does.
Approach the debate as if I am a key swing vote in a swing state in a swing election. I can give the power to one debater or the other. Debaters – the polls are open!
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The needs of the league is important, at times commissioners overlook the obvious. Your statements shed light on a ongoing problem.
Thanks, man, we appreciate it!
In sports there are voices that are seldom heard like ours on the serious issues.