Government is Not the Solution. Governance Is.

In June 2007, the entire country was buzzing with the news that professional wrestler Chris Benoit had likely murdered his wife and son and then taken his own life, potentially in a fit of steroid rage. People, including many former wrestlers, came out of the woodwork to comment and re-enforce the efficiency (or the lack thereof) of World Wrestling Entertainment's "Talent Wellness Policy." Even the usually anti-wrestling media and the unknowledegeable members of it seemed to want to comment - saying everything from how much of a "monster" Benoit must have been to blaming WWE Chairman Vincent K. McMahon. Congress stepped in, and things began to get even more busy.

The fact that Congress has elected to step into the mix due to the steroid and drug abuse allegations flying from everywhere is odd to me. Not only have they involved themselves in Major League Baseball's issues with steroids and other drugs, now they want to be involved in the pro wrestling industry - an industry which they, as well as the media, don't fully understand.

The problem with further government involvement is this:

Congress is not the drug police. That should be left to the police, DEA and FBI. Congress writes laws. They should not be writing thousands of letters and holding conferences attempting to get to the bottom of something that - by law - is not their responsibility. More government involvement usually just makes things about an agenda rather than a solution. Organizations such as Major League Baseball, wrestling promotions, and all other sports-related firms should be wise enough to police themselves according to federal law. It is wholly their problem - not Congress'. WWE's "Talent Wellness" concept has too many holes. For example, as long as a wrestler has a valid prescription, he/she is allowed to possess and use any legal drug they wish. They don't even have to show proof they need it! Someone could easily be taking Xanax or Somatropin for no medical reason!

If Congress feels someone must be involved in policing American sports - including pro wrestling - then they should do it the right way. Urge real investigations by the DEA and the FBI, and stop making it a Congressional inquest. Let them get to the bottom of who's doing the drugs, who's writing the prescriptions, and who's in serious trouble of risking their lives by doing so. Congress has much larger fish to fry within it's own ranks. In the words of former wrestling promoter Eric Bischoff, "Hey Congress: investigate thyself." He's far from wrong.

Again using words from Bischoff, "Perhaps congress hasn’t heard about the immigration problem, or issues like Katrina. Perhaps the fact that government funded and administered programs that allow astronauts to fly space shuttles while legally under the influence of alcohol is just not newsworthy enough. Maybe the fact that members of their own body like U.S. Representative William Jefferson is accused of soliciting bribes, laundering money, obstructing justice and hiding pay offs in his freezer is just too mundane and doesn’t equate to votes. Or how about the esteemed member of Congress from the state of Florida (Bob Allen) that was recently arrested for offering to polish the knob of an undercover police officer in a men’s room in exchange for a $20.00 bill? Congress feels the need/opportunity to stand up (get face time) and investigate professional wrestling."

What's the agenda here? Isn't there something more important? Bischoff thinks there is, and I agree. He goes on, "The proposed congressional hearings are not a criminal investigation. It is simply a way for politicians to get face time and try to convince their constituents that they are looking out for the publics’ interest by flogging professional wrestling. Because of the Benoit tragedy, professional wrestling is an easy target right now." The business isn't the major problem here, and an agenda-crammed Congressional involvement will never be the solution.