Posted by TheEngineer on 11/10/09
Last updated 11/10/09

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Raising on Aces and Eights: The GOP's Bad Bet Against Online Poker

by Rich Muny

The GOP has historically been the party of limited government and personal responsibility.  President Ronald Reagan said it best in his frequent citations of Thomas Paine's famous axiom - "the government governs best that governs least." Unfortunately, the party moved away from the limited government conservatism of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan during the George W.  Bush Administration.  In fact, the 2008 Republican Party Platform regrettably went so far as to advocate a federal prohibition of online poker.

Poker is not a crime, nor should it be.  Millions of Americans - including the president and many in Congress - play the game at their kitchen tables, on the Internet, and at their local card rooms.  It is a great American pastime.  During that failed era of big government "conservatism", however, some big government social conservative groups like Focus on the Family wished to use the power of the federal government to stop Americans from playing online poker in their own homes.......

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Posted by TheEngineer on 10/29/09

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Gambling Away the Republican Future?

by RICH MUNY

There have recently been positive developments in the Republican Party's fortunes.  Polls show increased support for conservatism and the GOP, conservatives are actively protesting for their beliefs, and Congress is starting to take note.  Republicans have a real chance in 2010 - if they can form a cohesive conservative coalition.

The Republican Party was once the party of limited government and personal responsibility. Unfortunately, the GOP has been pushing libertarian-minded conservatives from the party for some time.  2008 was the worst year ever for the traditional GOP coalition.  The party establishment was openly hostile to Rep. Ron Paul's (R-TX) presidential run and the big government social conservative wing of the party even called for a plank in the party platform advocating federal internet censorship to stop adults from playing online poker.  In essence, the party told poker players, internet freedom supporters, and limited government conservatives that they are no longer welcome in the GOP......

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Posted 10/30/09 dean.engelhardt Westgrove, PA

Great Article! My rep from PA, Joe Pitts is one of those bible thumping congressmen that stole my freedom to play poker. I'm still steaming over it.

Posted by TheEngineer on 09/21/09
Last updated 09/21/09

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I wrote an article on the situation in Kentucky for NewMajority.com. It will be the featured article for the day, so I hope you all like it:

Gambling with Free Speech on the Net

http://www.newmajority.com/gambling-...ech-on-the-net

Upset at what he saw as competition to the state lottery and to state-taxed parimutuel betting, last year Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear (D) initiated efforts to seize the internet domain names of 141 offshore online poker, sports betting, and casino gaming sites. This action was undertaken despite the fact that these sites are operating legally in their home nations and have no physical presence in Kentucky.

With his plan in place, Beshear hired an out-of-state contingency-fee only law firm to assist him with his scheme. The governor and his team of hired guns went to a state circuit court to initiate the seizure and forfeiture of the domain names in question. His stated intention was to release the domain names to their rightful owners only after they paid a large cash settlement and agreed to use blocking technology to prohibit Kentucky residents from viewing content the governor found objectionable. In other words, Beshear sought to assess a non-existent tax on foreign companies and unilaterally establish trade policies while censoring the world's Internet sites to control content accessible to Kentuckians.

Beshear moved his case through the state circuit court, but lost 2-1 on appeal. The Kentucky Supreme Court will hear Beshear's appeal of that loss next month, and supporters of internet freedom are lining up to tell the court where they stand. eBay, Network Solutions, the Poker Players Alliance, the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, the Bluegrass Institute, the Center for Democracy and Technology, and many others are demanding that the Kentucky Supreme Court uphold the appeals court ruling.

Beshear's contention that any court in the world should be permitted to seize domain names of internet sites operating legally in their home jurisdictions is deeply disturbing to those who value internet freedom and U.S. sovereignty, and with good reason. For example, under this scheme CNN's internet domain name could be at risk if they were to run an article critical of Cuba or China. Similarly, the Family Research Council's domain name could be seized by a court in a small town in Syria if FRC were to run an article critical of Islam........

Posted by TheEngineer on 09/14/09

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by RICH MUNY

Continuing financial problems at Focus on the Family have resulted in more job cutbacks within the social conservative organization. The group recently announced a new round of layoffs, this latest one affecting 75 employees. This is expected to bring the number of employees down to 860 employees, from a high of about 1400 in 2002. However, the organization apparently still has plenty of cash to fund an expensive Washington lobbying effort, including a major Focus initiative to try to stop adults from playing online poker in their own homes with their own money.

Focus on the Family typically utilizes a two-pronged approach to achieving its goals. The first prong is the group's ministry.  The ministry assists people in choosing of their own free will the path Focus recommends.  The second prong is Focus' Congressional and state lobbying, where Focus seeks laws restricting behaviors the group deems immoral, thus using the power of the state to achieve its ends. Sadly, the fact that Focus is laying employees off while doubling-down on lobbying shows a disturbing shift in the direction of the organization.  It seems the group now prefers forcing the changes they seek through the power of the federal government over encouraging people to choose the appropriate path.

Regarding the latest round of layoffs, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger said, "Managers are meeting with their employees, praying with employees. We want to make sure that even after this process, they have a transition package and that's not just about money, but helping them find a new job." This is somewhat kind of Focus, perhaps, but I imagine it's cold comfort to the families of the laid-off employees who know those salaries are now going to Washington lobbying. One wonders how many would have voluntarily given up their jobs to ensure that Focus had sufficient funding to continue their all-encompassing fight against poker players.  As poker players are showing no signs of giving up, one wonders how many years and how much donated money Focus is planning to put into this fight.

Anyone who believes Focus on the Family should focus on ministering to those in need while keeping the lobbying -- especially on issues like online poker -- on the back burner during lean times like these ought to write to Focus now. Let them know that you want your money to go to ministering and that you will not donate if they plan to use the bulk of your money on Capitol Hill lobbying. You can contact them at
http://family.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/family.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=14
190.

© Rich Muny
Rich Muny's commentaries are copyrighted and may be republished, reposted, or emailed providing that the column is copied intact and that full credit is given to the author.

Posted by TheEngineer on 09/07/09
Last updated 09/07/09

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Dear Fellow Poker Player,

The PPA's efforts are paying off in Washington, DC!  Legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. House and the Senate that will affirmatively license and regulate Internet poker.

These federal bills respect states' rights by allowing each state to choose whether its citizens can participate.  With Congressional action on these bills expected in the near future, we must start now to let your state's elected officials know we demand the right to play poker on the Internet.

In just 60 seconds, you can send a letter to your governor and lawmakers.  It is critical that your governor, state senator, and state representative hear from you TODAY. Your state officials need to know that passing up the opportunity to license and regulate online poker would limit your freedom while ignoring the needed revenue the program would bring to your state.

Please take a moment and send the following letter.  By doing so, you will help us to achieve our shared goal of protecting poker wherever it is played.  

Proud to Play Poker,
Alfonse D'Amato, Chairman
Poker Players Alliance

The Poker Players Alliance

Dedicated to Protecting America's Favorite Card Game

The Poker Players Alliance is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game and to protect poker players' rights.

Here's the letter:

The U.S. Congress is considering legislation to license, regulate, and tax online games of skill like poker. The legislation contains a provision that allows states to opt out of the federal licensing program, and the choice for our state to stay in or opt out will come shortly after implementation of the legislation. As a constituent, voter, and proud poker player, I ask that you support keeping our state in this important program.

U.S. House Bill H.R. 2267 and U.S. Senate Bill S. 1597 provide for sensible licensing, regulation, and taxation of Internet poker. They mandate rigorous, verifiable safeguards against underage participation while providing consumer protections for the millions, including many in our state, who play online poker every day. These bills also include dedicated funding to establish and implement programs for prevention and treatment of those with excessive gaming habits.

Both bills benefit our state economically. According to an economic study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers in April, tax revenues from these bills will provide billions of dollars to the U.S. Treasury and to the states in the program. Additionally, the Senate bill provides for revenue-sharing with participating states, bringing even more much-needed funds into our state's coffers. Both bills allow American companies to participate in the world's Internet poker market, bringing needed jobs to our state as well.

Solutions like H.R. 2267 and S. 1597 provide the most rational approach to controlling this industry and preserving it for adults who choose to engage in games of skill like poker. An unenforceable, unpopular prohibition provides none of these benefits. All prohibition can do is drive players underground or overseas while limiting my personal freedom.

What's most important to me is your support for my rights. Please respond to this letter and let me know if you will support keeping our state in this important program. I will be watching your actions on this issue closely. I hope that I, along with my over one million fellow Poker Players Alliance members can count on your support.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[sender's name]

Posted 10/30/09 dean.engelhardt Westgrove, PA

Just completed the letter and joined PPA. Thank you