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NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100
Washington DC 20037
World Wide Web: http://www.LP.org
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For release: December 9, 2004
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For additional information:
George Getz, Communications Director
(202) 333-0008 ext. 222
GeorgeGetz@HQ.LP.ORG
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Libertarians ask Sen. McCain to sit down,
let baseball deal with steroid scandal
WASHINGTON -- Libertarians are calling for a strict separation of sport
and state in response to Sen. John McCain's threat to intervene in the
baseball steroid controversy.
"Will Sen. John McCain please sit down?" asked Joseph Seehusen,
Libertarian Party executive director. "Major League Baseball is perfectly
capable of handling this problem without the help of the federal
government."
In response to revelations that New York Yankees first baseman Jason
Giambi and San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds admitted to using
performance-enhancing drugs, the Arizona Republican is warning the
players' union to toughen its policy on steroid use as it meets this week
in Phoenix.
But in this case, grandstanding politicians should stay in the grandstands
where they belong, Libertarians say.
"The government already intrudes into our businesses, our schools, and
almost every other aspect of our lives," Seehusen said. "It would be one
small but significant victory if we could declare just one area completely
off limits to the government. How about a complete separation of sport
and state?"
The Libertarian proposal: Let baseball decide the rules of baseball.
"Commissioner Bud Selig already has the power to impose a 60-day
suspension and a fine of $100,000 for the use of illegal steroids," he
said. "And that policy seems to be working. According to Don Fehr, head of
the players' union, the number of positive tests for steroid use fell
significantly between 2003 and 2004."
Now owners and players are considering adopting a tougher policy, similar
to that in the minor leagues, in which the first offense incurs an unpaid
15-game suspension, with suspensions for future offenses rising to 30
games, 60 games and one year, he noted.
Under that standard, one failed drug test would cost a star like Barry
Bonds a cool $1.6 million, and a third offense would cost him a staggering
$6.4 million, notes Seehusen.
"Which do you think is a bigger deterrent: the thought of losing an
immediate $6.4 million, or the prospect of Congress passing yet another
law sometime in the next few years?" Seehusen asked.
Keep in mind: Steroids are already illegal, which means the laws aren't
working, he noted.
"McCain is proposing to solve a problem that seems to be improving, by
relying on more laws that seem to be failing," Seehusen said.
"Let's let the players, owners, and ultimately the fans decide what's best
for baseball. If Sen. McCain doesn't like it, he doesn't have to buy a
ticket."
--
..
"The Purpose and Limits of Government,"
by Roger Pilon, 1999 (PDF, screen optimized, 256 kb)
http://www.cato.org/pubs/catosletters/cl-13.pdf
(Hardcopy $1.00, call 800-767-1241)
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