Take Nanny Out to the Ball Game

The Congressional hearings on steroid use among professional baseball players show just how far we have to go to stop the growth of the "Nanny State." Members of both parties ranted and postured about this "problem." Baseball is a business. Why not let them take care of it, if it's a problem.

The rationale for government involvement usually is that professional ball players are role models for children, and if they are known to use steroids, young athletes will do so also. I doubt whether anyone idolizes professional athletes any more, and further, we should be wary of those who use perceived threats to children as an excuse for more and more regulation of adults.