Congress trying to force College playoff. What priorities?

"With all due respect, I really think we have more important things to spend our time on," said Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga. before the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce subcommittee voted on a bill to change college football playoffs. With all the things going on in the world and the US, only one congressman actually questioned the urgency, importance and relevance of such a bill. The subcommittee debated and took a vote on Wednesday (12/9/2009) that if passed by the Congress would force the NCAA to have a Division 1 playoff system leading to a championship game. The bill now goes on to the full committee for a vote. Though it seems that it will not pass. However it still begs the question... What are the priorities of Congress?

GOP Rep. Joe Barton of Texas sponsored the bill out of sentiments that the current system is not fair and well structured. He also went on to say that it would not change unless Congress got involved.

Another sign of rational and clear thinking came from the NCAA's BCS executive director Bill Hancock who said, "With all the serious matters facing our country, surely Congress has more important issues than spending taxpayer money to dictate how college football is played."

Representative Zach Space, D-Ohio, said "that with people facing tough times, the decision to focus on college football sends the wrong message."

Some may remember that after the elections last year, then President Elect Obama had this to say, "I'm going to throw my weight around a little bit. I think it's the right thing to do."

All we can say is WOW! Maybe Congress can read the Marketing Excellence Blog to get a feel for what some of their priorities should be i.e. unemployment, small business, terrorism, veterans, and the list goes on...

Respond and tell us what do you think? Then be sure to share it with your local Congressperson. Let them know we are paying attention.