My Response From A Senator

[Franky Bones 0]

I wrote my senators via Poker Players Alliance and received two responses. One automated from Wayne Allard -R stating I would hear something via postal mail. I suggest those who haven't go over to http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org/ and mail your senators. Get active!This one below was from Ken Salazar. My reply is below it. ----- Original Message ----- From: Senator_Salazar@salazar.senate.gov To: frankybones@somewhere.net Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 1:30 PMSubject: A message from Senator Ken SalazarDear Frank:Thank you for contacting me regarding internet gambling. I appreciate hearing from you.Federal and state laws prohibit most forms of internet gambling, yet enforcement has proven difficult. Often, the host sites for these businesses may be offshore, and outside of U.S jurisdiction. Due to this difficulty, enforcement mechanisms have previously tried denying such providers the services of American financial services.In September 2005, legislation was introduced to prevent the use of certain payment methods for unlawful internet gambling. However, this legislation was introduced as an amendment to H.R 2862, an appropriations bill, and was ruled by the chair as a violation of the rules requiring relevancy of amendments to appropriations bills.Again, thank you for your input. I will bear your thoughts in mind as Congress addresses these important issues.Sincerely,Ken SalazarUnited States Senator-------------------------------MY REPLY;Mr. Salazar, First let me say thank you for your years of public service. I voted for you. I appreciate the quick response as I know you must be a busy man. I just wanted to take a second to express my thoughts on any potential internet gambling legislation. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that internet gambling, more so internet poker is a billion dollar business. I have a hard time grasping the idea that our Senators would allow billions of dollars to go untaxed overseas when we could be regulating it on our own shores. One only has to look at how well Party Poker stock has done on the foreign exchange. If Caesars Palace or MGM were allowed to open up an online poker room, it's name recognition alone would draw thousands of players in an instant. It is estimated that 80 million Americans play poker. A good majority of them play online and the thought of criminalizing those who play is HARDLY American. My 60 year old mother plays online every night. Our Senators think it is ok to put her on the same level as child molesters? I find it hard to believe that so much effort is going into banning internet gambling, yet our borders are WIDE open, our Landmarks are not properly protected, & our schools continue to fall behind the rest of the world. How about the potential tax revenue created being used to fund public schools or our highways? It seems like more good comes from it than bad. You cannot legislate morality. People who are bent on destroying themselves via gambling, drugs, or anything else will do so regardless of government intervention. The bottom line remains, illegal internet gambling is IMPOSSIBLE to enforce. You can assure that even with full support from the major credit card companies, it will still be possible to deposit and withdraw monies online. There are dozens of offshore banking systems that are out of reach of any American laws. What all this legislation ends up being is a total waste of government time and power. Not to mention, allowing credit card companies to regulate the purchases of any American should be deemed un-constitutional. Where is the line and how far are you willing to cross it? Allow internet gambling, tax, and regulate it. I am hardly an expert on politics but I would think the Senator responsible for bringing in millions of BRAND new tax dollars would have done a great service for this country. I suggest you propose a new bill that would allow for regulated internet gambling. Take the lead and end this ridiculous argument. In the time it took me to write the email, millions of AMERICAN dollars went un-taxed.Sincerely, Frank F.Proud Member of the Poker Players Alliance

[GrinderMJ 0]

Summary: Op sends a letter to congressman. "Congressman, please do not ban online poker"Senator: "form letter"jk, appreciate the good work

[jjdylan 0]

ill just post here instead of starting a new thread....heres the response i got when i wrote my congreswoman a while back

Thank you for writing to me regarding H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act. I appreciate knowing your opinion on this legislation. As you know, the popularity of Internet gambling has skyrocketed as a result of the enthusiasm for websites that host no-limit Texas hold-em and other poker games. While these games are exciting and entertaining, gambling, in whatever form it takes, can be addicting. In addition, the looseness of the regulation that Internet gambling sites are subject to raises concerns that these sites do not adequately prevent youth from gambling. While I am committed to the goal of protecting our children and prohibiting criminal use of the Internet, I also believe that we must take seriously any efforts that would infringe on the rights of adults. H.R. 4777 would prohibit all Internet gambling, with the exception of fantasy sports leagues and gambling at State or Tribe approved establishments. You will be happy to know that I voted against a similar measure, H.R. 3125, when it came up for a vote during the 106th Congress. H.R. 4777 has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Although I do not serve on this committee, please be assured that I will keep your views in mind should this bill reach the House floor for a vote. Again, thank you for taking the time to write to me, and I hope you will not hesitate to do so in the future. You may also wish to visit my website at www.louise.house.gov to review my legislative activities in Congress, a calendar of community events in Western New York and special sections on constituent services.Sincerely,Louise SlaughterMember of Congress

I havent seen many congresmen/senators write back with very positive things for our point of view, so i was quite pleased to read this.

[EStormOk 0]

I guess my lame *** congressmen and representatives are just to damn busy to even bother to respond to my email.

[Adumb 0]

Count yourselves as lucky, in 5 days on June 7th playing poker online in my state becomes a class "C" felony......the same as having child porn and tourturing animals. God bless America....I am so happy to be free . It won't stop my wife and I from playing...but it makes me so frekin' mad that the "authorities" can come and take my child from me because I played a 6 person sit and go. I don't really understand when we became employees of the government and not the other way around.......it's about time that we took this country back over.......oh wait....they will shoot us if we try to uphold the constitution (yeah, I didn't capitalize it on purpose...it's no longer a proper noun).I hate Washington state and I hate the government, I though the money I earn was money I can spend.......I guess being an adult doesn't mean much.............I need to be told what to do.

[xxAcesFullxx 0]

My Rep. sent me a reply about his concern that it was not being taxed.

[Franky Bones 0]

Adumb - If I were you, I would be the first person to get charged. Take your laptop down to your capital and start multi-tabling some penny games until someone arrests you. Then take the fight to the supreme court. It will be laughable to see them make a big deal out it.They cannot just come in and "take your children" based on alleged internet gambling. It is still innocent until proven guilty even if you are caught in the act. And even if convicted.. they would have a hard time convincing anyone that the parents are unfit as a result. I have no doubt that the first person to be charged with this crime will have the FULL SUPPORT of poker players around the world. Legal fees would not be an issue. I would go as far to say that you would probably have a lawyer do it pro-bono and/or with the support of some organization such as the ACLU or PPA.Count me down for $100 ;)In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it cost nothing to be a patriot. -- Mark TwainNobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little. -- Edmund BurkeThis country belongs to the people and whenever they shall grow weary of their government they can exercise their constitutional right to amend it, or revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it. -- Abraham Lincoln

[SapphireTiger 0]

I worked in government...and let me tell you...the Senators don't ever see these types of letters. They have the INTERNS fill them out.If you want to get things done. LOBBY.

[Franky Bones 0]

I worked in government...and let me tell you...the Senators don't ever see these types of letters. They have the INTERNS fill them out.If you want to get things done. LOBBY.

I agree... if the Mexicans and Pot heads can get together for a march... We can..There needs to be more participation by ALL players. Writing letters is a start.

[Golden 2]

Summary: Op sends a letter to congressman. "Congressman, please do not ban online poker"Senator: "form letter"jk, appreciate the good work

I LMAO'd at this. NH

[HangukMiguk 8]

Adumb - If I were you, I would be the first person to get charged. Take your laptop down to your capital and start multi-tabling some penny games until someone arrests you. Then take the fight to the supreme court. It will be laughable to see them make a big deal out it.

i know plenty of people in washington from ajpoker.com, if you guys were able to get something like this going as a form of protest, that would be increible.

[FourFlusher 0]

I told you guys once before...Party paid me $25 if I paid $20 to join Poker Alliance.If they can gather enough money they will be in posisition to lobby.I told you guys once before...Party paid me $25 if I paid $20 to join Poker Alliance.If they can gather enough money they will be in position to lobby.