Since this is a gambling forum...

[kosar]

I would think that this topic would be of some concern, or at least interest. It's been discussed here before on occasion, but obviously it's coming more to the forefront lately. I finally got around to reading yesterdays USA Today article on their front page(not the sports front page, the main one) and despite tons of mis-statements and reams of incorrect information/assumptions in that article, it appears that this may now be the hot topic of the moment.

These ridiculous bills (always sponsored by repuplicans) would affect all of us, if any of them ever actually became law. While it might just be a matter of inconvenience in getting money to sportsbooks, it still infringes on our ability to do what we choose to with our money. We've already started to see it with the pressure that they have put on credit card companies, WU, Paypal(out of the biz as a direct result of this pressure), etc.

Now, they can never stop online gambling totally, of course. However, I would like any of the so-called ' small government' guys around here to comment on how this governments crusade to totally eliminate our right to choose to gamble or not falls in line with a 'small government.'

I realize that this isn't about gas prices, gays adopting kids, abortion, gay priests being killed, etc...it's only about what we are all supposedly here for, ultimtately.

BTW- Those ads paid for by the hollywood idiots claiming that the people filling up their SUV's with gas are supporting terrorism are ignorant and totally insane.

 

[dr. freeze]

i dont understand it myself....i am a conservative as it gets and dont see any reason why conservatives are worried about gambling....

credit card fraud is a problem, but one would think credit card companies can deal with that themselves...

as far as those hollywood elitists on their soap box about SUV's and their gas consumption....take it with a grain of salt as they take their private limo's and private jets....

 

[bjfinste]

It makes no sense to me, either. To use a popular analogy, prohibition didn't work the first time around when they tried it with booze. If they actually could find some way to prevent online betting, all it would do is give more power to organized crime, which would surely reap the benefits of a suddenly-enormous client base.

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Call out the National Guard. Kosar and I are in total agreement about something. As he stated above, it's astonishing as to why there is not more public and media outrage at this blatant example of HYPOCRACY by the Republican Party (the so-called party of "less government").

It's understandable that Liberals would be for this intrusion into our personal lives, as they hold the belief that government must protect people, even from themselves. Oddly enough, many Liberals oppose these ban-Internet gambling bills (Barney Frank, foremost among them).

The trouble is -- there are powerful forces on the other side of this issue, and it's going to be difficult to fight them. They include:

-- The political far right (which dominates the Republican Party)
-- Churches and religious groups (who oppose ALL gambling)
-- Pro sports leagues and the NCAA
-- So-called consumer watchdog groups (who target the "big money" influence of the gaming industry).

Aside from my anger at all of these fascists who want to try and tell me how to live, what MOST upsets me in this fight is that PRO-GAMBLING groups also are lined up against Internet gambling.

Consider the following facts:

-- The American Gambing Association is AGAINST Internet gambling -- yes, the same AGA who lobbies for the right of people to gamble in all states. This is a disgrace that an orgnaization philosophically supports individual freedom to gamble in some areas, but won't support it when people try to gamble from their own homes. Burn in hell bastards.
-- The casino industry is AGAINST Internet gambling. They fear competition. These motherf*cking monopolstic corporations trying to control ALL gambling and destroy small outfits who offer better odds, better options (poker), and so forth.
-- Both Nevada senators and congressional representatives are AGASINT Internet gambling. This is absolutely stunning to me. Nevada is the state with a huge budget deficit, yet we have the talent and the ability to permit Internet gambling (yes, it could be done under a states rights fight -- winnable in the Supreme Court). Internet gambing could be regulated and run by the experts in the field. Nevada could reap the tax rewards of 1,000+ offshore corporations relocating to the State of Nevada. But these whores are AGAINST Internet gambling. Go figure.

It's going to be a tough fight, and things are only going to get worse for us. Last time I went on my soapbox and started a crusade I was ridiculed here at this Forum. Let's just wait until it's damn near impossible to wire money offshore and fund our accounts (for many people this is already very difficult -- resulting in the dead money being eliminated from the offshore pool). Then, it will be too late.

For the life of me, I can't understand why people -- freedom loving people, gamblers, libertarians, etc -- aren't more pissed off about this. Of course, I'm sure I'll be ridiculed for taking up this fight (I can't help myself), for writing letters to the editor to try and influence people, and for attending town hall meetings (with reps). Probably better or me to just sit on my *ss and let our opponents screw us over.

-- Nolan Dalla

 

[kickserv]

Nolan:

great write up.......wow


Good thing I live in Canada, we here are a little more relaxed when it comes to gambling (can legally bet on sports in almost all provinces) and we have casinos opening up like crazy

I've always wondered why the US is so against gambling (especially sports) :shrug: And to make it worse, your winnings are taxed If ya hit a massive parlay in Nevada for say 60 grand........you don't even get the full 60 grand...... You win a million on a slot machine....ya pay tax on it.....what's up with that!!

I would think that the US gov't would love the whole "gambling thing" considering they tax you guys :shrug:


anyway......thanks for the great read.......you know your stuff

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Agree 100% but I think we will always find ways around it even if they do get bills passed which I think is remote. I think what upsets me more is their approach that lottery is ok but gambling not.
Nothing more sickening than seeing the poor rumaging through their car at covenient store looking for change to buy another ticket--and the coup de grace is initial intent was to use this money for education ect and I don't know bout rest of states but in Ky it goes into general fund that no one can trace to the final benefactors--but you can bet your ass the politicians are getting some of it.

 

[The Mover]

Typical response of many emails I've sent but this one states that I support the bill. They can't get anything straight .


August 4, 2003



Clinton Twp., Michigan 48038


Thank you for contacting my office in support of the Unlawful Internet
Gambling Funding Prohibition Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue


As you may know, offshore Internet gambling is already illegal. The
policy rationale for this legislation is very simple: by continuing to
allow the financing of illegal Internet gambling, we are stating that
we
are not serious about enforcing the law. Worse, the FBI, the Department
of
Justice, and the Department of State have all stated that Internet
gambling can be exploited to launder money for such groups as drug
dealers, organized crime and terrorist organizations.

It is important to note that this bill protects States rights when it
comes to regulating Internet gambling. Any gambling that is currently
legal will remain legal should this bill become law. The measure
simply
aims to stop the flow of money to illegal Internet gambling sites.

The House of Representatives recently passed this bill by a vote of
319-104 with my support.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your views. I welcome your
input
and hope you will not hesitate to contact me again about this or any
other
issue.


Sincerely,




Sander M. Levin
Member of Congress

 

[Penguinfan]

Here is the problem, this is a popularity contest for the polititians, just like everything else. The good, bad or otherwise for the people is not taken into account, if it were then credit cards would already be illegal because there are more divorces in this country due to financial/debt reasons than there are because of gambling or drinking combined! Here in Pennsylvania newly elected Governor Ed Rendell is absolutly holding a gun to everyones head with the slot machine issue, now understand I agree with his stance, I just don't like the way he is going about it. The state senate passed the bill but the House went on break before voting on it, and they have enough verbal NO commitments to shoot it down anyway. Immediatly after they burried the vote Rendell put 71 EMS employees out of work vowing that without the additional tax revenue more layoffs would follow and they have. In addition to that he has said property tax in this state will hit record levels without the slot income. Pennsylvania is absolutly losing tax revenue to West Virginia, when I go to Mountineer to bet on the horses over 80% of the cars have Pennsylvania liscense plates on them! This is a no-brainer for us, but the Mormons and Quakers in this state would rather see us taxed to death than place slot machines around town. Please tell me on what level this makes sense.

Nolan Dalla- I am with you, but honestly what can be done?

Penguinfan

 

[RAYMOND]

YOU SHOULD BE A WRITING FOR THE USA PAPER ,