Washington Involved in BCS Debate

[Katyusha]

Holy cow. I never thought I'd see this day come...

ETA: Need for a playoff or not, I don't think Washington has any business even talking about forcing the NCAA to do anything, since they aren't doing anything that could be defined by the government as "wrong." Schools? Sure, I'm well aware that there are schools that are getting shafted every year. Fans? Of course, I'm well aware that there's a large and growing number of people who'd just rather see a playoff. But the government? They can feel however they want, but I believe they're overstepping their bounds in getting involved with this issue.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Hasn't Congress got anything better to worry about? Or more important? Like the economy, stupids?

 

[Katyusha]

Hasn't Congress got anything better to worry about? Or more important? Like the economy, stupids?

One would think.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Why Is Anyone Surprised?

 

[sr71plt]

Agree. I see no reason Congress should be involved in this. As a matter of fact, I think the universities are too involved in big-bucks sports.

 

[JagFarlane]

Agree. I see no reason Congress should be involved in this. As a matter of fact, I think the universities are too involved in big-bucks sports.

1) This is a surprise how?
2) I agree on the universities. Too much money, too much pressure on players, and often times, not a good education for the players that expect to transfer to the NFL.

 

[sr71plt]

1) This is a surprise how?

Hmmmm. Nothing I posted indicated I thought it was a surprise, so I have no idea how to answer this.

 

[Katyusha]

1) This is a surprise how?

Surprise? Not really. Washington is notorious for meddling in what it shouldn't and ignoring what it should be involved in. I am, however, sorely disappointed that they would think *this* a big enough and bad enough issue that it warrants hearings and discussion of a bill.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

In the early 80s, when American Motors closed its doors, the government didnt get involved at all. It has never been involved until now.

 

[sr71plt]

In the early 80s, when American Motors closed its doors, the government didnt get involved at all. It has never been involved until now.

Was the entire economy collapsing around American motors at the time? And did American motors ever come close to having the chunk of U.S. economy and workforce that GM, Chrysler (and potentially Ford) have now?

You might try considering the context.

And it isn't "now" that the U.S. government became involved--it was months ago under the Bush administration.

 

[JamesSD]

Interesting.

It sounds like the plan is to use political pressure to change a system that needs fixing.

Technically this IS an interstate commerce issue, one of the few powers actually clearly granted to the federal government by the constitution.

 

[Boxlicker101]

In the early 80s, when American Motors closed its doors, the government didnt get involved at all. It has never been involved until now.

For one thing, Chrysler bought them out, so it was not such a big deal. Besides that, AMC was much smaller than any other American auto company. This is actually important to me, because my father worked for Nash/Nash-Hudson/American Motors/Chrysler, and my brother worked for them a long time, retiring only a few years ago.

The Chrysler bankruptcy is costing them their dental insurance and some other things. Not medical, because that is Medi-Care.

 

[Boxlicker101]

To get back to the original topic, although BCS is highly important to a few people, the US overnment has no business getting involved.

 

[Katyusha]

To get back to the original topic, although BCS is highly important to a few people, the US overnment has no business getting involved.

I don't even understand how this got as far as Congress, let alone getting into subcommittee hearings. I'm still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor on this one.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Just another fine example of your government at work...wasting the taxpayers money on shit they don't need to worry about.

 

[sr71plt]

Just another fine example of your government at work...wasting the taxpayers money on shit they don't need to worry about.

I'd agree with you, but I think this is probably exactly what Middle America puts at the top of its priority list.

 

[DesertPirate]

The Thundering Herd of Dumbass hasn't done enough damage this year?
Now they want to screw up college football?

 

[jomar]

Hmmmm. Nothing I posted indicated I thought it was a surprise, so I have no idea how to answer this.

He was responding to JBJ's post just prior to yours.

Yeah, don't know why it's in committee and haven't bothered to find out. I did love the "Drop the C" comment though.

 

[sr71plt]

He was responding to JBJ's post just prior to yours.

Thanks. There you go on why we should not fail to quote what we are responding to just to please ignorers' inability to take responsibility for their own ignoring.

 

[JamesSD]

Just to clarify my position, I don't think the government should regulate college football. I do think we have a case where a lack of competition is leading to stagnation and a lack of innovation.

I've yet to read a compelling argument why there can't at least be a 4 team National Championship playoff. Really, you'd just have to tack on ONE extra HIGHLY LUCRATIVE national championship game between the winners of the two most prestigious bowls. There have been years where the #3 team was unfairly shut out of a chance at a national championship because of the stupid way the current rules are set up.

Many organizations have responded to the spectre of public regulation by reforming and self regulating: The videogame and music industry, for example devised ways to notify parents of content without actually hurting sales (and arguably creating effective marketing devices).

So I don't want to see the gov't interfere, but the BCS needs fixing in a bad way.