I’m trying to imagine going back in time and asking the Federalists, “Now, if we ratify this thing, will it give the federal government the power to regulate tournament rules for collegiate sporting events?”
Well, at least they can’t punish me if I decide to enjoy a sweet and tasty beverage.
Well, I can still plant however many vegetables I want in my garden at home without having to worry that the feds will tell me it’s too many.
Oh. Really? Man.
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Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
— C. S. Lewis
One of the few things I probably agree with President Obama on is that the BCS is stupid, and that college football should go to some kind of playoff system. But like the man said, “It so happens that everything that is stupid is not unconstitutional.”
There are some things that government doesn’t need to have anything to do with. Lots of things, actually. As soon as that’s no longer true, we are no longer really free. So important is that freedom to me that I’m even willing to sacrifice the government’s “help” in creating a much, much, much better college football championship system.
Who am I kidding? After seeing them in action the last year, once these guys got through with it, I think the BCS might look pretty good…
You’ve exceeded the “National Limit on Blog Length Act” by 17 words and will be fined accordingly.
I think the only Federalist president would have been fine with it. Hamilton, on the other hand, would not have liked the idea.
I’m taking a pragmatic approach on this one. If the President and your Senator can get all worked up about college football then, perhaps, it will distract them long enough so that they don’t screw up things that really matter. Given their current performance, Congress could still be debating the BCS until the 2012 elections.
The NFL would certain like the federal government to jump in. The league says it is impossible for them to work with different labor laws in different states.
http://www.startribune.com/local/84704652.html
Just to fully spam the blog (but in an on-topic way)…
The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (part of the DOT) says that a farm tractor is no different than a semi truck. Farmers should have log books, hours-of-service requirements, and meet all other regulations of over-the-road truck drivers. They forcing the state of Pennsylvania to change their traffic laws to eliminate the special exemption for farm equipment.
Of course, the federal government can’t really make Pennsylvania change their laws. That could be unconstitutional. They can , however, withhold millions of dollars if PA doesn’t play along.
http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2010/02/pa_farm_vehicle_travel_about_t.html