Steroids are dangerous drugs, and Congress should ban their use by professional athletes. But why limit the ban to the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association and National Hockey League? The law should be extended to other pro sports, including golf, tennis, beach volleyball, surfing and NASCAR.

We need to be certain that all playing fields are level and that young people can have role models free from drugs.

Yet must we single out only one segment of society? If steroids are bad for athletes, what about other career fields? The courts would agree that equal justice must apply.

So start with the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court and test everyone holding public office all the way down to school boards and special districts for any drug use, including alcohol.

The penalties must be as severe as for athletes: one failed test is a two-year suspension without pay; second failure is a lifetime ban from public office. The records of all candidates for office would be checked for prior offenses. If this law had been in effect six years ago, George W. Bush would not have been eligible to run for president.

After cleaning up sports and politics, lets get to the ruling class. Start with corporations and rid big business of junkies and alcoholics. OK, let’s include unions too, and anyone filing an itemized deduction tax return. Then check out all public employees such as teachers, cops and firefighters.

Oops, I almost forgot that everyone in organized religion drawing a paycheck must set a good moral example and be included.

Social Security retirees have been exempted. Allow them to be happy as they watch their benefits disappear. They can’t afford drugs anyway.

Finally, test everyone entering the United States. If we are to have illegal immigrants, let them be steroid- and drug-free as they help to rebuild our society!

— Jack Pinard, Port Hueneme