Our Viewpoint Editorials
Congress needs to back out of baseball

This week, our federal lawmakers will take up an issue that is weighing heavy on their minds and on some of the general public's minds.

This issue has gripped Washington, D.C. and has created factions on either side of the coin. This issue has some lawmakers calling for federal intervention to help solve the problem.

Health insurance for the uninsured in the United States? No.

Or how about finding proper shelter for the millions without homes in the United States? No.

What about fixing an economy that is slowly going into the toilet? No.

And, of course, there is dealing with the ongoing War on Terror and setting a timetable for our troops return from the war with Iraq. Again, no.

These issues are all on the backburner this week as our mindful congressional leaders instead are taking up the battle of steroids in baseball.

Ah, once again our Congressional leaders have their priorities straight.

It is absolutely absurd that our Congress, which are elected by the general public, are taking time to conduct hearings on the steroids issue in America's past time instead of taking care of more pressing issues.

Congressman Kevin Brady has been an open critic of the ongoing steroids hearings in Washington. Brady believes Congress is more interested in media coverage than in protecting America's national pastime.

"Professional athletes like Roger Clemens owe a truthful and complete explanation to major league baseball and to their fans. They owe nothing to Congress.

"This is more about television screens for politicians than drug screening for baseball. No wonder the approval ratings for this Congress are at a historic low," Brady said.

In terms that our Congress will understand, that was some high chin-music.

There is no questioning that steroid usage in baseball needs to be addressed but not on Capitol Hill. Our Congress needs to understand that solving baseball's problems is not a pressing issue.

Right now, our Congressional leaders are facing the bottom of the ninth, two out and the count is 0-2 on them. Let's see if they can pull out of this hole.