Baseball - steroids - why does our federal gov't care?

I totally agree.  While I know this is considered the "national pastime", I fail to see where our elected officials fall into the mix here.  As I see it, this is just like any other subject that seems to catch the public interest and politicians always want to get their "face time" with the media.

CCC & LARon,

Touchy subject for me because I'm a fan & have been playing the game for over fifty years.  I agree.  Our law enforcement people, not elected officials should be involved.  If the drugs are not legal, arrest the law breakers. the only elected official of which I'm aware being involved in this is the ex (?) senator who was asked to head up the investigation.  What other officials are involved?

RichK

All the attention seems to have started back in 2003 with the BALCO labs charges of steroid supplying, then congress must have been bored in 2005 when they held actual hearings (funded by our tax dollars, including the intermission refreshments).  I've cut/pasted just the first paragraph or two from a washington post article from 2005 regarding this very question.

I am still a little flabbergasted over the expenses and time on this issue that could have spent on issues more directly affecting our kids mentioned in the article, like maybe a public educational system monopoly and crisis? 

You see, Solo - I do have a liberal side to me, and I guess a little libertarian as well.

Congressional Hearing on Steroids in Baseball

By Dan Jung

washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2005; 8:00 PM

Why is Congress investigating steroid use in baseball?

Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee, said the main motivation for the investigation is the rising use of steroids among the country's children. Along with testimony from baseball players and executives, the committee also calls upon medical experts and parents whose after using steroids.

"Kids are dying from the use of steroids. They're looking up to these major league leaders in terms of the enhancements that they're using. And we have to stop it," Waxman said in an interview March 13, 2005 on NBC's "Meet the Press."

CCC,

Off the top of my head, I can only think of two reasons for Congress to get involved.  One, Since this problem has been brewing for at least 10 & has wide ranging ramifications, especially by breaking the law, Congress decided to put some weight behind the problem.

Two.  This is a problem involving many things, from our national pastime to kids in high school.  Don't you think that sufficient reason for a politician to get his or her name in the news?  Have you ever heard of one who was shy about positive publicity?  I sure as heck haven't.  

About that liberal/libertarian side, you had better watch out.  You have a reputation to maintain.  JATFUR.

RichK

The explosion of power in Major League baseball was a key factor in the acceptance of performance-enhancing drugs that has affected many other levels of American sports.

In his statement releasing the report, Sen. Mitchell pointed out that it is estimated that 3 to 6 percent of high schools athletes have used steroids, Human Growth Hormone or other similar drugs.  That 3 to 6 percent would means hundreds of thousands of high schoolers.

Steroids in baseball are just the tip of a dangerous iceberg - one that is worthy of Congressional investigation.

Michael S. Mann

I have an excellent idea!!  Let give high dosages HGH to liberals, maybe they'll grow a brain....LOL

Make it a great day!!! 

Steven P Munsey A+, MCP, IASO Orange Park | Green Cove Springs munsey13@comcast.net

I guess that the next step is to start checking all the kids in wrestling, weight lifting, softball, volleyball, football. 

It is not the governments place to get involved in domestic problems.

Their job is to look out for the National and Foreign aspects of the country. Not getting  involved in States rights.

Over the years the Feds have taken over education, health, and a lot of other programs that were the states problems.

They take money from us and tell the states that if they do not do what they say they will not give them any money.

I am getting tired of the phrase "for the kids" to start government programs and give free stuff to the parasites, welfare generations and illegals. If you have a kid than you take care of them period. I spent my money on my kids. I did not go next door to the neighbor and ask them for money to raise my kids. I guess people do not have to be responsible for their actions.

I got a house, I cannot pay for it, boo hoo give me some money. If your dumb enough to get an ARM tough. Life is a lesson to learn. When I was 20 I knew that a ARM was a dumb idea. Then again I paid attention in classes. I know what socialism is. We are well on the path.

3 times in my life I had to start over with nothing. Back in those days we got no handouts. Just had to get a job and start saving for what I wanted.

Wake up people the Government is taking your liberty and freedom away inch by inch.

I think of it as the frog in a pot of water. For those who do know the story.

Put a frog into a pot of boiling water and it will jump out. Put a frog into a pot of cold water and slowly raise the heat and it will stay in the pot until cooked.

Your in the pot people what are you going to do?

Those who give up freedom for security have neither 

I hear all your comments about the national past time, safety of kids, etc... but in my humble opinion -

baseball is purely entertainment, nothing more.  It receives no government funding, no government sponsorship, was not created as a government agency, nada, nil, zilch in government involvement. 

Now, I am mature enough to realize if there is a danger to the PEOPLE, then it is government's responsibility (carefully) to protect the American public. 

Personally, I don't see where a bunch of overpaid entertainers using steroids endangers the American Public.  One could argue that Hollywood entertainers and their drug use, botched plastic surgery, and general wild lifestyle is more of a danger. 

Where were the hearings when Elvis, Chris Farley, John Belushi - the list goes on - kicked the bucket from excessive drug use?  WHere are the hearings over the antics of the JackAss "movie" guys doing stupid stunts repeated by adolescents? 

Just curious - I love baseball, played it, coached it, - but it is entertainment. 

Solo - you are right on with the politicians wanting their mugs involved in anything where it looks like they are helping.  I think more folks are now saying, why baseball?

CCC,

One philosophy I learned a long time ago & have appreciated more & more is---"Others ask why?  I ask, why not?"  Yes it creates a couple of problems.  But it solves so many more.

RichK

RK - I ask both Why and Why Not?, covers all the bases (no pun intended). 

The problem with asking "why not?" is it assumes action on all issues.  I don't think our forefathers envisioned our nation's capital being involved in all things, kind of a guilty until proven innocent type of thinking.  Kind of a "this is the way we've always done it" type of thinking, kind of a "just add 5% to last year's budget" type of thinking. 

Asking Why? is fresher and more objective - at least it should be.

I will drop this whole thing, but I just can't see any of the elected reps putting that they were involved in the 'baseball scandal' in their resume come re-election time - guess I could be naive.