The American Spectator

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Anyway, the legitimacy of MLB is MLB's problem. Congress is already doing a horrible job trying to do far too much.

Social Security is heading towards insolvency. Federal laws and regulations have helped create an expensive, inefficient "cost-plus" medical system.

Tens of millions of people use illicit drugs even though millions are imprisoned for drug offenses. The war in Iraq has become an interminable guerrilla imbroglio.

Federal welfare programs have encouraged family and community break-up. Washington has wasted untold billions on failed development and training programs.

Corporate welfare pervades the budget. Government efforts to "manage" the economy have invariably backfired.

So now Uncle Sam will protect the integrity of baseball?

SENATOR McCAIN ALSO announced: "I don't care about Mr. Bonds or Mr. Sheffield or anybody else. What I care about are high school athletes who are tempted to use steroids because they think that's the only way they can make it to the major leagues." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made much the same claim: MLB officials "have a responsibility, not only to the sport, but to the children of America who look up to these players."

Whether or not there's a MLB testing program, some kids are likely to look for any competitive advantage to get there. But who can best combat that temptation? Parents, teachers, and counselors or legislators?

Moreover, this argument proves far too much. Some athletes drink. Some smoke. Some drive fast cars.

Should the federal government ban all of these activities lest some young person somewhere foolishly follow their example? Washington should not treat responsible adults as irresponsible children in the name of protecting children.

Washington already has foolishly criminalized steroids use. Now Sen. McCain proposes creating a federal testing regime.

Instead, the government should leave adults free to do as they wish. Craig Masback, chief of USA Track and Field, complains that "Giving up is not an option," but leaving education and enforcement to private bodies is not giving up. Not everything that is bad should be illegal.

A free society is inevitably a messy place. Some people do things that others don't like. Some people make mistakes.

So it is when athletes take steroids.

They may be making bad decisions. But it is far more important to preserve a free society than to stop athletes from making bad decisions.

topics:
Education, John McCain, Nancy Pelosi, Social Security, Sports, Law, Iraq, NATO