The Observer, February 18, 2005
Volume XXXVII, Issue 18
The Right Stuff: Needless legislation impedes progress, wastes money
Some people find cause for concern in the government legislating morality, or anything else for that matter. Though their concern is understandable, I become more unnerved when the government creates nonsense legislation. Laws and legal precedents should not be set as quick reaction to resolve a problem or as proactive measures that aren't thoroughly considered. Nonsense legislation is frequently prohibitive to business and a burden to citizens, a cycle that stunts the economic growth of our nation.
A law that prohibits smoking in private businesses that is pushed through with no community involvement, as in the case of Toledo last year, is one instance of nonsense legislation. Though the topic of banning tobacco use is another issue entirely, it falls within the scope of nonsense. However noble the aims of such legislation may be, it is unreasonable to dictate such standards to businesses, particularly if the law has the potential to be damaging to the business. The patrons and employees of such businesses choose to place themselves in a smoking atmosphere, in which case the government has no place interfering.
A more obvious case of nonsense legislation comes from Major League Baseball. Over the past year, President George W. Bush and other Republican leaders like Arizona Sen. John McCain have lobbied for government intervention in the MLB's permissive attitude towards steroid use. Players like Jason Giambi have even been called before a grand jury in order to testify on the matter. As a tax-paying citizen, think for a moment about this. Consider the government funds spent pursuing the matter of steroid use among professional athletes: the court time misspent, the physical resources used, and the intrusion into private lives. When I look at the situation, it makes me question why I continue to pay taxes into such inefficient and trivial government efforts.
The United States needs legislation regarding MLB's steroid policy like it needs a Democrat in the White House. MLB can, and should be allowed to, regulate itself. In no way is MLB an institution vital to the security of the perpetuation of American ideals. If the fans are upset with the way the game is being run, then, like consumers upset with any product, they will let their wallets do the talking. And those who are concerned about the record books being tainted by steroid-abusing athletes like Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire (allegedly, ha-ha) need to recognize the irrelevance of such an endeavor. The records set by early MLB players already can't be compared to those set now based on the length of the season and the increase in the number of teams and skilled athletes.
Baseball, like any other professional sport, is in the business of entertainment, not equality. If players want to abuse steroids and blast 20 more home runs a season, then why would Commissioner Bud Selig have any incentive to stop them? It makes the game more exciting for fans, bringing them to more games each season and boosting television revenue. And, last I checked, steroids were not on the controlled substances list with marijuana or heroin, so players can take them if they please. If fans are upset about MLB maintaining the sanctity of the game, they will let Selig know with how they spend their money, not by involving their congressional representative.
When you consider other social maladies threatening our nation – the growing cost of health care or the eventual insolvency of Social Security – the fact that steroid use gets any air-time, let alone a spot in the State of the Union address, is nauseating. If nothing else, it's a testament to capitalism. The government, like a good corporation, will follow the money. And Major League Baseball has tons of it.
