Congressional Meddling in the BCS

I hate the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). I truly do. In fact, as an avid college football fan, nothing would please me more than a playoff system. But one thing I hate more than the BCS is unconstitutional congressional meddling.

The Associate Press reports:

WASHINGTON – A House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine a national champion, over the objections of some lawmakers who said Congress had more pressing matters on its plate.

The bill, which faces long odds of becoming law, would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I football game as a national championship unless that title contest is the result of a playoff. The measure passed by voice vote in a House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee, with one audible "no," from Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga.

"With all due respect, I really think we have more important things to spend our time on," Barrow said before the vote, although he stressed he didn't like the current Bowl Championship Series, either.

You are right Rep. Barrow. There are more important issues facing our nation. Even more, Congress has no authority over the matter--not constitutionally, not otherwise.

A desire for an ending of the BCS cannot trump constitutional fidelity, plain and simple.

It is important to note that those who aren't even strict constitutionalists cannot make a sound argument for Congress acting on the matter. Yes, most of the schools that participate in the Bowl Championship Series are public schools which receive funding and regulation from DC, but that does not come near settling the issue.

The BCS is a private system, and is not set up by the government for the participation of its public schools. Moreover, participation in the BCS is completely voluntary for those who desire to be ranked and bowl eligible within the BCS system; it is not compulsory.

So why is Congress meddling in the issue? Because Washington is full of statists who care not for liberty. This latest act is further proof of a government gone wild, trumping freedom at every level.

We must combat statism whenever it rears its ugly head whether we like the results or not.

I would love to see a playoff system and an end to the BCS, but, not at the cost of liberty and constitutional infidelity.