Most of you do not know that the senate is making an incredible attempt at banning online poker. This is bad news for all of use online poker players and enthusiasts. More than 70 million Americans play poker, some 23 million online.
What is the issue this time? The issue is our freedom to “gamble” in our skill based game known as poker. The senate is trying to pass a bill known as H.R. 4777,
the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act that states that nobody in the United States of America shall participate in an online gambling session without consequences of fines and/or jail time.
This act is similar to that of the Alcohol Prohibition Act of 1920 where one of the personal habits and customs of most Americans suddenly came to a halt. The United States government decided to take control over the situation and take away what most Americans felt it was there freedom to do… consume alcoholic beverages.
Fortunately, the Alcohol Prohibition Act was ineffective because it was unenforceable, and actually caused an explosive growth of crime. It is obvious that this “noble experiment” was not so noble but rather a miserable failure on all accounts. Therefore, the Alcohol Prohibition Act was lifted from the law in the end of 1933, only 13 years after it began.
This is exactly the reason that the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act will not work if it is indeed put into law. The government simply can’t enforce it! Lou Kreiger outlines more reasons as to why it wont work in his popular poker blog.
Is the government going to fill up their jails with gamblers who are only going to gamble in prison with cigarettes and muffins?
Shouldn’t the government be focusing on tracking down dangerous criminals such as those on the top 10 most wanted list or domestic terrorists? No, the governement would rather take control over what we, the citizens of this wonderful democracy, do in our spare time.
But that’s not the worst part, the worst part is that, similar to alcohol in the twenties, most Americans want to gamble. We aren’t being forced to sit down at a poker table to play a game in which we love to play! Just as Americans weren’t forced to drink alcohol in the twenties. There is an obvious popularity of internet gambling and the Internet Gambling Act is trying to control our freedoms and intervene where it is not welcome to intervene!
So do yourself and your fellow Americans a favor, fill out this automatic form and send it to your senator by simply putting in your zip code. It will send a letter to your senator with your opposition of the Internet Gambling Act and, even if your senator disagrees with your position, will at least let them know your viewpoint on the situation.
The United States of America is a democracy and we should not allow the government to intervene where they have no right to intervene!
Here is a copy of the email was received from a senator about the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act. I decided to add a few comments of my own to add some personal insight to Mr. Kennedy’s irrational statements.
March XX, 2006
Mr. XXXXX
XXXXX St.
XXXXX City, XXXXX State XXXXX Zip
Dear Mr. XXXXX:
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act. I appreciate hearing from you.
Comments: Okay, so far so Good.
As you may know, the Wire Act of 1961 prohibits gambling over telephone lines. However, current law is silent on Internet gambling, which has exploded in popularity over the last several years. H.R. 4777, introduced by Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, would clarify and update the Wire Act to prohibit several forms of online gambling. This bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for review.
Comments: Yes! It’s popularity HAS exploded over the last several years! This is an obvious sign that the PEOPLE of America WANT to gamble and play poker on the internet! You are not in the position to tell this “explosion” of people what to do! They voted you in and they can vote you out just as fast!
I understand your concerns about this bill. However, illegal gambling often provides cover for money laundering and other criminal pursuits-the reason for the enactment of the original Wire Act. This update of current law will help combat such criminal activity. That’s why, when this bill was introduced during the 106th Congress, it was supported by almost 2/3 of the Members of the House of Representatives.
I do agree that ILLEGAL gambling provides cover for money laundering. But here are the opposing viewpoints: People want to be allowed to play poker online, AND the online poker rooms all want to be regulated. If the poker rooms want to be regulated then why are you worrying about money laundering? And wait just a minute… did you say ANYTHING here about how REGULATED INTERNET GAMBLING would provide cover for money laundering? Where are you getting your facts from Mr. Kennedy?
Although we may disagree on this issue, I want you to know that your thoughts and concerns are an important part of my decision making process, and I value your opinions. Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I hope you will continue to do so whenever there is anything I can do for you.
Well, it looks like you might be getting more and more emails from the visitors of this website Mr. Kennedy. The only reason this made it into congress at all was because it is attached to another little useless bill known as the Wire Act of 1961.
Sincerely,
Mark Kennedy
Member of Congress