Linda McMahon Lobbying For WWE Helped Deregulate Wrestling Amid Scandals

[LynneSin]

Linda McMahon Lobbying For WWE Helped Deregulate Wrestling Amid Scandals

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/06/linda-mcmahon-lobbying-wwe-wrestling_n_1944341.html

WASHINGTON -- Connecticut GOP Senate candidate Linda McMahon, an aggressive proponent of deregulating business in this year's campaign, comes by her sentiments honestly. She was a fervent advocate for exempting her own World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. from restrictions for years, even as it was embroiled in drug and steroid scandals.

State and federal lobbying records show that McMahon, who resigned as WWE chief executive in September 2009, helped in getting WWE removed from under the umbrellas of state athletic commissions, which allowed it to dodge some of the stiff testing standards and fees that states imposed on bona fide athletic leagues. McMahon is running against Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy for the seat of retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman (I).

A lot of attention has been paid to McMahon's federal lobbying efforts, which she once denied even existed, but her state work reveals a longer-running, broader campaign to unshackle WWE from government observers.

It dates back to the late-1980s, when McMahon personally testified in Pennsylvania to get wrestling deregulated there. She maintained that wrestling was not sport, but entertainment like the circus, the Ice Capades or the Harlem Globetrotters.
McMahon argued aggressively -- and persuasively -- that there should be no athletic regulation of her business. The state legislature ultimately agreed.

I know this is not a sport and I also know many here feel that drug use is a personal choice including people who want to use steroids. These aren't athletes competing for the World Series or Olympic glory but beefed up burly guys providing entertainment for the masses.

But if you read into what the big deal is you'll know that there are alot of health issues with these wrestlers and mind you, WWE considers wrestlers as 'independent contractors' which means none of them get healthcare unless they buy it themselves. And for ever superstar in the industry there are many many others who compete at a lower level doing alot of harm to their body and probably not saving enough to take care of themselves long after they leave the ring.

I just think this article says alot about Linda McMahon's character and what we could expect if she somehow managed to get elected as a senator.

And also to show it's bullshit when people say she really wasn't a part of WWE and that it was her husband's business. Linda McMahon was a HUGE part of WWE and equally involved in it as her husband.

[LadyHawkAZ]

1. Statement on deregulation from Owen Hart and Chris Benoit:

[longship]

2. We need Dick "The Bruiser" and Gorgeous George.

Dick "The Bruiser"

Gorgeous George

That is what we need to bring to the US Senate.
<== obligatory Poe avoidance.