Why do democratic Congresmen feel the need to hold hearings...?

Question

...on the steroid scandal in baseball? Isn't there more pressing issues that Congress can spend time and money on?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/12/13/congress.steroids.ap/index.html

Pfo,
Yes, I think that steroid abuse is a problem. Yes, I think that it's a shame that kids look up to these people. But I don't think Congress, republican led or democrat led, should be spending time and money holding hearings on it. It's a simple matter of weather or not steroid abuse is a criminal offense, which it is. Let law enforcement and Baseball sort it out. I find it utterly amazing that Congress can find time to hold hearings on the problems in baseball but can't hold hearings to confirm judges. There are more important things going on in the country right now than steroids in baseball. Trust me, the fan base of baseball will issue it's opinion and take action where it matters most to the owners, in their pocket book. Now that the information is out, fans will likely spend less money going to watch cheaters play ball. Even if it doesn't work out this way, what difference does it make? Players have been finding ways to cheat at games for ever.

It's up to parent and coaches to inform their kids of the dangers of using perfomance enhancing drugs. Will this work all the time? of couse not. But again, Congress has no business getting involved in calling for hearings in this matter. Neither does the President, although he hasn't yet. His comments were that baseball shouldn't overlook this problem.

Answer 1

For the record, the Repubs were running Congress the last time they had steroid hearings. I agree though, that it's a waste of time. If somebody broke the law, arrest them. What does any of this have to do with Congress?

Answer 2

You don't think that steroid use in baseball is a concern? You do know that millions of American children idolize these people, and are likely to emulate them in the use of steroids in school sports. At those ages, their bodies cannot take what steroids do to them. It can ruin their lives and contribute to depression, and in some cases causes suicides. This is serious stuff, cheating in baseball must be punished and so far the baseball commission is doing nothing. You're talking about one of the biggest entertainment businesses in the US being rife with drug abuse, and you find it to be a problem that congress investigates it?

Answer 3

Baseball was given an anti-trust exemption by Congress in 1922. Since the free-market cannot act as a check and balance on Baseball, it is up to Congress to assert oversight on Baseball to make sure it is upholding basic standards and acting in a legal manner.

So, to paraphrase Demi Moore's character in "A Few Good Men" - Congress' jurisdiction in this matter is pretty much in their face.

I'm just thankful Congress still isn't thinking of ways to give subsidies to the oil or pharmaceutical industry like they did for the last six years.

Answer 4

Madd Texan, All politicians are ego maniacs, and these 'hearings' are an excellent way to attract attention, make front page news and nitwit news casts, get their photos made a.k.a. photo-ops, see this as another means to accept bribes, extort / extract money from someone, somehow ,// ooppps, Sorry, I meant to say 'accept political campaign contributions', and to 'show their asz's !!!!
BTW, just where in Texas are you? Although from the Lower Valley originally, I am now (marooned / trapped north of Houston), between Conroe and Navasota.

Answer 5

I think as long as Bush is President, that Congress ought to just take the rest of the year off, go on vacation, get a life or something. Bush isn't going to care about anything Congress does or doesn't do anyway, he's not going to consult with congress for anything, so they should take off.

Answer 6

who knows. the democrats are doing worse then the republicans were. We ether need the republicans back in or get some lybritarians in there or a mix of both.

Answer 7

I agree. I was also perturbed when Bush talked about it in his state of the union speech a few years back.

Answer 8

They enjoy public opinion and press time...good luck keeping them from those.