Congressional Drug Testing

One of the great themes of this election year is reconciling the life and benefits that members of Congress have with the life and benefits their constituents do not have. This is the essence of the campaign to give Americans the same health benefits that members of Congress have.

This idea can, and probably should, apply to other areas of public policy as well. For example, a group of high school students have started a petition to level the playing field, as it were, by asking Congress to comply with the same drug testing rules it seeks to impose on others. What a fantastic idea. If members of Congress are keen to impose drug testing on people and professions, they should be willing to step up to the urinal cake themselves.

Have you ever noticed how the very politicians so eager to impose drug testing on others seem awfully reluctant to test themselves? Well, as students and athletes, it seems pretty ironic to us. After all, who is a greater role model? A college athlete or U. S. Senator? Who has more influence? A second string tackle or a U.S. Representative?

Unfortunately, the irony seems lost on Congress. So, we decided to create the Coalition for a Drug Free Congress to give people a chance to tell their elected representatives – if you really think drug testing is so important, why not start with yourselves?

That's why, before the election in November, we're asking members of Congress and Congressional candidates to pledge that they will support the creation of an independent, random, unannounced drug and sobriety testing program for members of Congress and their staff before imposing testing on any other group of Americans. Read the Pledge Now. - Coalition for a Drug Free Congress

It seems like a reasonable request to me.

One of the great things about election season is that it presents an opportunity to secure support from candidates for important reforms that might not otherwise get a hearing during non-election times. This is true, for example, of Net Neutrality, where a recent campaign by influential bloggers has secured the support of every major Democratic Senate challenger for an open and free Internet. This is why we can and should push hard for pledges on health care as good as that which Congress has. This is why efforts like the drug testing plege have weight in the summer of 2008.

(With a tip-o-the-hat to OpenLeft.)