Poker players, enthusiasts, and freedom lovers from across the country are storming the 2008 Republican Party Platform site, at www.gopplatform2008.com, to demand that the 2008 Republican Party Platform not include a call for a ban on Internet poker (as the 2000 and 2004 platforms did). As of August 24, 10:45 am, there are 198 pro-poker comments, versus only one against!

Here are the pro-poker comments posted to the GOP site:

Values : Other

(Anonymous) August 21 – 11:53 AM

Whatever happened to protecting personal liberty and promoting personal responsibility? I was outraged by the passing of the UIGEA, banning online gambling. Why is the government forcing me to live by someone else’s morals? Why must the poor choices by a few (problem gamblers), result in the freedom of millions being taken away? Just because people make bad choices that harm themselves, doesn’t mean that activity should be prohibited. America is supposed to be a free country. If you are only free to make the right decisions, you are not truly free. After the passing of the UIGEA, I no longer vote republican.

Values : Other

(Bruno – Westminster, CO) August 18 – 1:24 PM

As a long time Republican, I am very disappointed in the fact that the UIGEA law was pushed through and passed by Rebulicans. This law simply takes away another right from us as Americans. Rather than spending the time to evaluate the different forms of gambling and gaming that are available, they push through something that really did not make any sense. I am a Republican and I am a poker player, but if the Republicans continue to push through legislation like this, I will seriously have to consider my affiliation. Yes, it’s that big of a deal! Poker, as a game, is not gambling, it is a game of skill. Yes, there is some luck involved, however, there is luck involved in every game or sport. Please consider removing the legislation that was put into place with UIGEA. Thank you.

Values : Other

(Craig – Lake Orion, MI) August 17 – 10:02 AM

Online poker and sports betting. Let’s keep it legal. One of the great American past times

Values : Other

(Anonymous) August 15 – 2:25 PM

I used to vote Republican until the under-handed passage of the UIGEA in 2006, now I will not vote Republican until this party stands up for TRUE conservative values and protects my individual freedom to do what I want with my money, including playing online poker. Until the GOP rectifies this problem they have lost me as a voter and when they crushed in this years congressional elections you’ll know why.

Values : Other

(James – Greenfield, IN) August 14 – 5:51 PM

My suggestion for the Republican platform is to end the hypocrisy in the party that began with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. If some members of the Party don’t believe I have the personal responsibility needed to prevent going bankrupt playing online poker for pennies in my own home (click you mouse, lose your house!), then who’s to say I won’t do the same with horseracing, state and multi-state lotteries, fantasy sports, or shorting stocks on Wall Street? Why are these forms of gambling explicitly exempted from the UIGEA? If gambling is so immoral, then make ALL gambling illegal. There are more than one million members of the Poker Player’s Alliance. WE are your constituents. Stop catering to the right-wing extremists who have taken the Party off-course from the Reagan glory years. Legalize online gambling, regulate it, and GENTLY tax it if you must, but end this prohibition. It is no more effective than the last.

Values : Other

(William – New Britain, CT) August 13 – 10:29 PM

I want you to support my right to play online poker. This is abillion dollar industry and there is no reason whey it can not be regulated.

Values : Other

(Mitch – Colorado Springs, CO) August 13 – 9:35 AM

The Republican Party platform should legalize online gambling and not prohibit it. Banning online gambling is inconsistent with the republican principles of freedom, small government and personal responsibility. I play poker online and live in Christian conservative Colorado Springs just miles away from Focus on the Family headquarters and New Life Church. I tell everybody I know that I play poker online and frequently go out in public with clothing advertising online poker sites and nobody has ever said a bad word to me about it. If I can’t find anybody here who opposes online gambling then where are these people? Trust me, you will not alienate your base by supporting online gambling.

Economy : Trade

(Dennis – Framingham, MA) August 10 – 9:26 PM

I find it deplorable that we have legalized lotteries, horse & dog race betting, bingo, lotto, casinos everywhere, but we can’t have legalized online poker. All we’ve done is drive the online poker sites offshore. Foreign countries are reaping the tax & business revenues of this flawed ploicy.

Values : Other

(George – Peoria, AZ) August 9 – 9:03 AM

I wanted to express my opinion, and that of my friends, about online gaming. I am an online poker player and would be deeply troubled if I were to lose this freedom. It is a cheap form of relaxation for me. It lets me talk to people all over the world while allowing me the freedom to sharpen my intuition and increase my skill in decision making. I would like to see some legislation to regulate online gamine and the UIEGA amended as this is not a game of luck. I personally have been playing regularly for about three years now and I am a better player then when I started. As Doyle Brunson states it’s a game of decisions. The better you get at the decisions you make the better player you become. As in life if you keep making poor choices you go broke. Thank you for letting me express my opinion George Robinson

Economy : Other

(Todd – Streetsboro, OH) August 8 – 10:36 PM

Please do what you can to ensure online poker remains legal in the U.S. I am all for making sure under age kids are kept from playing, but that should never make it difficult on legal aged adults from enjoying poker online. Please do what you can to make sure Online poker stays legal and remains that way. Thanks

Values : Other

(Dean – Newark, DE) August 8 – 7:30 PM

Allow Americans the freedom to play poker on the internet. It’s embarrassing that certain segments of the republican party are imposing their morality on the country. If I choose to play poker or another game of skill on the internet, what business is it of the governments? Please take us back to the republican party of limited government. This issue will be the deciding factor in who I vote for in the upcoming election. Please support bills like HR 5657. “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” -Ronald Reagan 1981

Values : Other

(Susan – Alexandria, VA) August 8 – 5:21 PM

I am both a lifelong Republican and an avid online poker player. I appeal to the Republican Party to change its stance on prohibiting gambling over the Internet. Please don’t take away my freedom as an American to enjoy this game of skill.

Values : Other

(Toni – Foreston, MN) August 8 – 12:12 PM

I am a member of the Poker Players Alliance. Please change the Republican party stance with regard to online poker. Poker is a game of skill. Legal and regulated online poker could generate revenue for a variety of poorly funded national needs (especially given that the country’s money has been spent on this stupid war). The original bill which passed this unconstitutional legislation was done covertly and should be rescinded. This is not the way the government of the United States of America should handle any issue. Please make correcting this legislation a part of the Republican party’s platform. Thank you.

Values : Other

(William – Cambridge, MA) August 7 – 8:34 AM

Internet gambling should be treated the same way as any other form of gambling. That is, if it is legal to have a poker game in a cardroom, it should be legal to have one on the internet. It would also be reasonable to make them both illegal. But it’s not reasonable to discriminate! The same goes for other forms of gambling.

Economy : Other

(Douglas – Artesia, CA) August 7 – 5:57 AM

I am a proud American and also a professional poker player. It is a shame that the GOP continues to vote against the legalization of online poker. Poker is a skill game just like golf, tennis, baseball, etc. In every sport there is the element of “taking a chance”. In golf, for example, should I “go for the green” or “lay up”. In fact, in business or in life there is an element of chance. That does not take away the skill needed to find success in both. I am a winning professional player who is proud of his occupation. In these difficult financial times, it is a shame that the GOP would want to take away thousands of jobs from professional poker players, especially when it is hard enough to find a decent job these days. I also find it incredibly foolish to not allow legal American casinos the opportunity to enter the online poker market. Imagine the tax money the US government could collect if they allowed US casinos this chance instead of letting an overseas company make huge profits. Let’s bring these profits to our American companies and bring even more jobs to the American people. My hope is that the GOP would rethink their position on online poker and realize that it is a game of skill and a legitimate profession whose participants work very hard to hone their skills, just as much as Tiger Woods works very hard at his profession. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Economy : Other

(Chase – Wheelersburg, OH) August 7 – 12:32 AM

Hello, I am a poker player, and would just like to submit my outrage at your attempts to block a skill game while allowing pure gambling like the lottery to continue to pad your pockets. Listening to Focus on Family instead of following The Constitution and allowing us to do what we want with our money(especially in a skillful way to increase our capital) is exactly what you should never even CONSIDER stopping. Stop trying to come into our household and tell us what to do and work on actually stopping the deficits and spending and finding some revenue(like the billions poker brings with it).

Values : Other

(Ryan – Selah, WA) August 6 – 5:27 PM

The issue of whether online poker should be permitted in the U.S. is one of great importance to a number of people, myself included. I have the ability to freely engage in a poker game at my local casino as often as I see fit. As a married father of two, I must first decide how to balance my time and finances so that my choice to play poker is a responsible one. I encourage you to develop effective legislation that would allow me to make the same choice in an internet based environment. At the same time, our federal and state governments could collect some much needed tax revenue. People will continue to play poker online and it seems that we have two choices from here. We can choose to help regulate and protect the industry and the vulnerable participants (children and problem gamblers). The alternative is that we can continue to restrict the personal freedoms of millions of responsible adults and make no meaningful strides toward protecting the integrity of the game or its participants.

Values : Other

(Matthew – Sugar Grove, IL) August 6 – 1:47 PM

Repeal the UIEGA Act and start regulating online poker. As Americans we pride ourselves on being home to the land of the free, but over the past years, the Republican Party has limited our personal rights and freedoms, specifically the right to play online poker. Passing laws against online poker will only drive it underground. Millions of Americans love the game and will continue to play online. Poker players like myself are open to regulation and regulation will increase government revenues by billions. Passing ambiguous laws “against” online poker is not the answer.

Economy : Other

(Damon – Silver Spring, MD) August 7 – 5:12 PM

Gambling issues should be handled on the state level not by the federal government.. Each states governor should be allowed to have a referendum as to whether or not the citizens of that particular state want to allow gambling. That way those states or counties that do not want gambling in thier area will not have it. On the other hand those counties or states that DO want gambling will be allowed to have it. This is a much better solution I feel than an all out ban on gambling by the federal government.

Values : Other

(Donald – Tucson, AZ) August 6 – 3:57 AM

Allow on-line gambling. Prohibition does not work. There are tens of millions of people involved in this recreational activity. I am a Viet Nam Veteran currently serving as an advisor in Iraq. I play on-line for recreation. Bring the games and income back to the US from the off shore havens which protect them. Let them work out of Las Vegas. It is futile to try and legislate morality and stampout on-line gambling.

Values : Other

(Jeffrey – Springfield, VA) August 5 – 9:45 PM

The idea that the Republican Party would support a ban on online poker is ridiculous. It has been well documented that poker is more than just a game of chance. What is wrong with adults playing poker online with other consenting adults? I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Barney Frank has it right on this issue.

Values : Other

(John – Waterford, MI) August 5 – 6:54 PM

I would like to express my feelings regarding online poker. Poker is a game with a deep tradition in America. For those of us not able to frequent a casino or have a game with friends, online poker is the answer! I would like to see online poker recognized as a game of skill not just gambling. This form of poker whether regulated or not, should be legal to practice! Please support online poker

Values : Other

(Edward F. – Pine Bush, NY) August 5 – 11:14 AM

As an avid on line poker player, I resent my Party interfering with my right to play. Repeal the ban on internet gaming. Edward F. Crawford O.C. Committeeman.

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 6:01 PM

Are you convinced yet? Are the previous sixteen pages of overwhelming opposing views by your constituents, colleagues, and allies against terrorism still not convincing? While I am in no way qualified to deal with the daily decisions you must face, I feel I am able to at least help open your eyes on this one simple issue so that you can concentrate on things of much more importance. All I am asking for is your approval in regulating and taxing us poker players who wish to enjoy our game online. I may be only one voice, but being a member of the Poker Players Alliance that one voice is magnified by over one million. While my vote may count only once, the Poker Players Alliances votes count over a million times. Imagine what the taxes from just us of the PPA would collect and pay for once you and your fellow members of Congress finally started regulating our industry. Maybe it would even cover the amount you owe to Antigua!

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:56 PM

Maybe it is too late to do something about the UIGEA, but it is not too late to support one of four bills currently stuck in limbo that would support playing poker online. As recently as Dec. 10, 2007 there were forty-four co-sponsor’s to Barney Frank’s bill. Would it kill you to make it forty-five? Or lend your support to the others as well? The list of members of Congress who are now co-sponsors of Barney Frank’s bill, which would essentially make online poker legal at a federal level in the United States, has grown to 44. The bill would provide for the licensing of Internet gambling facilities by the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and would allow states to choose if they want to allow online gambling. Recently, representatives from New Jersey, Washington State, and Connecticut became co-sponsors to Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007 (H.R. 2046). They are Rep. Robert E. Andrews, Rep. John B. Larson, and Rep. Adam Smith. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection at the end of April, where it remains. This is one of four bills in Congressional committees that deal with the subject of online gambling and poker. Rep. Robert Wexler’s Skill Game Protection Act (H.R. 2610) would allow people to play games of skill online (poker included), has 20 co-sponsors, and has been referred to several House committees this summer. Rep. Shelley Berkley introduced H.R. 2140 on May 3. This calls for the National Academy of Sciences “to identify the proper response of the United States to the growth of Internet gambling.” It has 68 co-sponsors and is also in referral in several House committees. Rep. Jim McDermott’s Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2007 (H.R. 2607) calls for the United States to tax and regulate online gambling. It was introduced June 7, 2007, and has one co-sponsor. It was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, wh

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:52 PM

Is it not time for you to come out of your cave and join the rest of the educated world that sees the benefits of a legalized and regulated internet gambling system? A companion bill to Barney Frank’s Internet Gambling and Regulation Enforcement Act was introduced in the House of Representatives last night by Washington State Congressman Jim McDermott. McDermott’s Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative would tax 2 percent of a person’s online poker or gambling deposits. The licensed sites would be responsible to pay the government the 2 percent of all deposits made for real-money play. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network would be responsible for licensing the sites. According to the Safe and Secure Gambling Initiative, a lobby organization that’s fighting for online gambling’s legality, between $6 billion and $25 billion would be raised from McDermott’s bill through taxation in the first five years. Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkley is the bill’s co-sponsor. Berkley is also sponsoring a bill that calls for an intensive study on Internet gambling to determine if current technology could be used to taxed, regulate, and provide protection for minors. Frank’s bill would legalize online gambling, including poker, in the United States. It would provide a regulatory framework to tax and regulate online gambling. (June 8, 2007)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:51 PM

Here are the CRE’s conclusions on the matter: • The Treasury Department has not provided a specific, objectively supported estimate of burden as required by the PRA. • The Treasury Department has not provided a record supporting the certification that they have reduced the burden on businesses to the extent practical, with a particular emphasis on small businesses, as required by the PRA. • The Treasury Department has not made the further efforts to reduce the paperwork burden on small business with fewer than 25 employees as required by the PRA. And here’s the CRE’s recommendation: • Since the Information Collection Request does not substantively comply with the PRA, the Office of Management and Budget should send it back to the Department for revision and correction. The revised ICR should be provided to the public for comment prior to approval. (Nov 13, 2007) While it appears it is “too late” to correct your error on the UIGEA, it’s not too late to give your support for H.R. 5767 to create an exemption for properly licensed operators. Perhaps you might also conSider Skill Game Protection Act: The Skill Game Protection Act had been introduced by Representative Robert Wexler (D-Fla.). The bill would make several games, including poker, mah-jongg, bridge, and chess, exempt from current laws aimed against online gambling. Basically, the bill aims to clarify which games are skill games and which games are not. The bill specifically calls poker a game of skill, and if passed, also calls for a system to be in place that would tax and regulated all real-money games of skill to ensure that both the games remain fair and that minors and compulsive gamblers wouldn’t be able to play. The bill would add language to existing laws – including the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act – that would define poker and the other games mentioned as games of skill. It would allow adults 18 and older to play real-money skill games online.

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:48 PM

One of your other stated fears is that “this activity serves as a vehicle for money laundering activities.” Perhaps if the United States were to do what other countries are doing in regulating the activity of those of us wishing to participate in playing poker over the internet, you would be able to clamp down on your fears. Antigua is successful in doing this: The Antiguan regulatory scheme recognizes the potential for the existence of money laundering. Therefore, the government has developed rules and regulations for its prevention by knowing one’s customers, having user profiles, having the ability to analyze a transaction in real time, recording deposits and withdrawals and analyzing any suspicious behavior including but not limited to large sums of money changing hands, and analyzing betting behavior on the site to make sure one person is not money laundering by passing off money to another under the guise of a bet. The Antiguan regulatory system seems to run smoothly and efficiently. All of the people I spoke to in the Antiguan government agreed that morality cannot and should not be legislated. Prohibition didn’t work; similarly, banning gaming is just not an option. It exists and conscientious well thought out regulation is the only sensible answer. (Jan 9, 2007)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:46 PM

This has a societal underpinning. It is good for all nations to have the benefit of the intelligence from other nations. That’s how societies advance. So, if one country has an excellent product or service, it is allowed to offer that product or service to the world. The exception is that every country has the right to outlaw anything it so chooses. For example, if Prohibition were still in effect, other countries would not be allowed to sell liquor in the U.S. Now, let’s revisit the Antiguan case. When the WTO first ruled that the U.S. was violating the fair trade rule with Antigua, the U.S. said it needed time to comply. The U.S. was given a year and did nothing. It will go to Geneva to defend itself. The only position it can take, which, by the way, it has previously taken and abandoned, is that it is illegal to play poker online in the U.S., so Antigua has no right to offer that service to U.S. citizens. What is wrong with that position is that it is not illegal to play poker online in all jurisdictions of the U.S. Furthermore, the U.S. position crumbles when we take a look at the newly passed Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. That Act specifically permits a state to house an online gaming site; it permits other forms of online gaming (horse racing); and by its terms, the Act recognizes that appropriate regulation is possible in order to achieve the goal of protecting citizens. Therefore, since it’s not illegal to have an online gaming site within the jurisdiction of the U.S., our government cannot assert illegality as a defense to the WTO ruling. And how much more hypocritical can the United States Government be? It allows games of chance to wagered upon remotely yet wants to make a game of skill illegal. What protections are you providing in the horseracing and lottery industry to insure children are not participating, money isn’t being laundered, and terrorists are not exploiting?

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:40 PM

U.S. Gaming Prohibition Violates WTO Agreements The United Kingdom is one of more than 60 nations in the world that passed laws to allow, tax, and regulate online gaming, including poker, on its soil. The WTO has already ruled against the US for attempting to ban online gambling, and now that anti-online gambling legislation has made it through Congress, more WTO complaints will probably be filed. The U.K might find itself in that line. The WTO was set up to protect fair and free trade among its members, and it has ruled that it conSiders online gambling to be a product that should be freely traded. It’s hard to believe that the US won’t face more lawsuits now that it has taken a stricter approach at curbing online gambling. A precedent has even already been established. (Oct 3, 2006) Congresswoman Shelley Berkley said, “What could be a greater invasion of privacy than government telling you cannot play Internet poker in your own house?” she said. “This was a breathtaking abuse of exercise of war power. A ban on Internet gaming in the Defense bill? How ridiculous is that? At a time when we have brave American men and women fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Republican leadership is more worried about Americans playing poker online than protecting our troops in the field. “The ban on Internet gaming was part of the Republican family values agenda. They passed it to pound their chests and talk about how they’re protecting America’s youth,” Berkley said. “You got a bunch of ideologues running Congress. They’re not interested in anything that has a modicum of common sense; they’re only interested in a very narrow moral position.” (Oct. 17, 2006)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:37 PM

A study commissioned by the Poker Players Alliance shows that online poker would generate more than $3 billion in federal and state tax revenue a year if online poker were regulated and taxed. The study, prepared by Judy Xanthopoulos, an economist with Quantria Strategies, examined the existing Internet poker market and concludes that the U.S. government would collect a significant potential source of revenue if it were to incorporate this industry into the U.S. economy. “This study validates that the benefits of regulating online poker in the United States far exceed the value of prohibiting the activity,” said Michael Bolcerek, preSident of the Poker Players Alliance. “Internet poker is an incredibly popular pastime for millions of Americans. Keeping Americans away from this game is not only unfair but, as this study shows, would be costly, denying state and federal coffers an important source of revenues.” (July 12, 2006) Sen. Jon Kyl believes the affect that gambling has on kids is the biggest danger. “Our kids have access to the Internet. They’re frequently not supervised. And you can run up a huge debt on your folks’ credit card very, very quickly.” But Kyl’s point was easily disproved in front of a mass audience. Nigel Payne, former CEO of Sportingbet.com, who also ran Paradise Poker, ran an experiment during a 60 Minutes segment that aired on CBS. The producer gave his son a credit card and Payne challenged the teenager to open an account with Paradise Poker. Payne was certain, with effective security measures in place, the underage visitor wouldn’t be able to gain access to the site. “That 16-year-old has got to give me four or five pieces of information about him, relative to his bank account, his personal details, where he lives, and other things,” said Payne. “I can be 99 percent comfortable that this 16-year-old doesn’t even get through my front door.”

Values : Other

(William – White City, OR) August 4 – 2:58 PM

Why should I have to go through all of this hassle to be able to play the great american game of poker on the internet. This is a game of skill and should be allowed to be played on a fair and legal enviorment. The only government involment should be to police it to make sure it is fairly run.

Values : Other

(Eric – Whitehouse, TX) August 4 – 7:13 AM

I’m a staunch conservative in all areas. I would like to leave the regulation of the internet out of our platform. I am a born again christian poker player. I play very small stakes poker primarily on the internet. I do not believe this should be prohibited by govt. I do believe it should be regulated, not prohibited. I believe we Republicans should not be limiting personal freedoms. Thank you for your time.

Values : Other

(James – Minneapolis, MN) August 3 – 6:03 PM

The Republican party needs to change its stance against internet gambling. They need to start protecting our freedoms and individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution instead of continuing to suppressing them. It is becoming increasingly difficult to support an organization that continues to attack our personal liberties. Whether to participate in internet gambling, specifically online poker, is a choice that should be made by individuals and not the government.

Values : Other

(David – Saint Cloud, MN) August 2 – 5:54 PM

As a republican and avid poker player, I wanted to express my opinion about why these are now in conflict. My understanding is that the republican position on internet gambling is: “We support legislation prohibiting gambling over the Internet.” Someone please correct me if this is wrong. But, almost every republican on the financial services committee recently voted to support the ill-conceived Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). To me, this is nothing short of prohibition 2.0. Republicans should be the ones working to remove government intrusion and work toward promoting personal freedoms. That is why I became a republican. POKER IS NOT A CRIME. If the GOP position on this does not change, I will no longer be a republican.

Values : Other

(Kevin – Greenville, SC) August 2 – 12:44 PM

Can you drink a beer when you want to? Can you smoke when you want to? Can you carry guns wherever you go? If you said yes to any of these it’s probably because you live in free country like America. I would argue till the end of time though that NONE of these are a good influence on children. How many lives would be saved if kids weren’t exposed to alcohol, smoking and guns at a young age? The question is should adults be disallowed to partake in these because how it affects kids? I don’t think so. SO WHY IN THE WORLD CAN I NOT PLAY POKER ONLINE? Why…because you think it could harm the young children. That is the biggest garbage I’ve ever heard. Is it not up to adults to make decisions on their own and to entrust those values to our children. I don’t see why you allow such deadly things in our country but take away a simple freedom like playing poker in your own home. It makes no sense to me. In my mind nobody should be allowed to drink any alcohol. I personally have NEVER had alcohol and I think it kills people, destroys families, harms children and is a terrible thing. WHAT would happen if I tried to tell other adults that I wanted to take away their freedom of drinking? Would they be ok with that? NO, BECAUSE IT’S A FREE COUNTRY AND I HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL THEM WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN’T DO. If you are afraid of hurting young children you could do more good if you regulated poker in the states. You could make everyone playing from the US verify social security number with a bank statement to verify age. Not only would it help the issue if it was regulated but the country would make billions from taxes on poker. It honestly makes no sense that y’all have tried to take away this freedom from us. You can debate all you want, but in my eyes the real issue out of the election is our freedom and republicans have taken it away from us. I have voted my whole life for Republicans but this year I don’t know.

National Security : Human Rights

(Barbara – Lewisville, TX) August 2 – 9:48 AM

It should not be the duty or platform of the party or the government to prohibit internet gaming – and especially we should not outlaw online Poker – which is a game of skill. While compulsive gambling may be a problem for some, those who have the problem should seek assistance – it is not for the Republican Party to limit any individual’s freedom to act as they choose in their own home, with no harm to anyone. Alcoholism is a problem for some, yet we already know we cannot legislate for all people to abstain from consuming alcohol, even though some people may have problems with this addiction. The Republican Party should protect our liberties – not unnecessarily restrict our free behavior. Let us not try to legislate a misguided sense of morality – let’s be tough on crime that victimizes others – let’s stand for enforcing the laws we have to protect others. Thank you.

Values : Other

(Norman – Issiquah, WA) August 1 – 7:27 PM

Freedom is important to me. I do not want the government telling me what to do in my own home – please repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act. It is crazy to me that I can drive 10 minutes to a cardroom here in Washington State, yet it is illegal for me to play poker for nickels and dimes online. I am a responsible tax-paying citizen, and should be able to spend my money and enjoy my leisure time as I see fit. At the very least, please exclude poker from that law as it is a game of skill (and a very American game at that). In my opinion we should regulate online gambling, not try prohibition for something that millions of Americans enjoy.

Values : Other

(Johnny – San Jose, CA) August 1 – 6:13 PM

The last two platforms have taken a stand against “internet gambling.” While I support such a position in general, I take exception to including on-line poker in any proposed ban. Poker is not gambling. It is a game of skill. It is also an American tradition. I submit that, unless you are Amish, or possibly Mennonite, every one of you on the committee has enjoyed a game of poker from time to time. Please voice your support for Mike Honda’s (R-CA) bill excepting poker from any online ban.

Values : Faith-Based Organizations

(Steve – Smyrna, GA) August 1 – 6:00 PM

Being a life-long Republican, I was both dumb-founded and dismayed that the Republican Platform includes a specific directive against Internet gaming. Whoever decided this was a good idea should’ve thought twice because this does nothing but take away every American’s right to spend their own money in their own home as they see fit. It is not the Republican Party’s responsibility, nor that of the U.S. government, to enforce morality across this country. The American people don’t need the Republican Party to protect us from ourselves. We do need somebody though to start protecting our freedoms and individual liberties and not continue to try to eliminate them as the Republican Party is now doing. In the name of the millions of former Republicans who are totally disillusioned with your leadership, fiscal irresponsibility, shameful surrender to the extremist right-wing, Puritanical fringe that is shaping the Republican Party Platform, I beg you to reconSider. You’ve lost me as a Republican. You’ve lost millions of die-hard Republicans who enjoy playing poker on the Internet, along with their friends, family and relatives who can’t see the fairness of it. Of all the things the Republican Party could be doing to overcome the severe, multiple crises we face in this country, the fact that anyone of any standing in the party decided time and effort had to be spent on creating an anti-internet gambling plank indicates a complete loss of touch with reality. I implore you to respect the American people and tear this Nazi Right-Wing Extremist, anti-freedom plank from your platform and get back to being a party focused on the critical issues that threaten the well-being of all rather than continuing to cow-tow to the far right-wing with offensive, freedom-robbing garbage like the anti-internet gaming position you’ve adopted.

Values : Other

(Tyler – Ontario, NY) August 1 – 5:08 PM

I can tell you that if I hear that the Republicans are again voting to make internet poker illegal I will continue to support other candidates at every election for which I am eligible to vote. This is a freedom issue and I resent the way in which this issue has been handled by the Republican Party so much that for the first time in my life I voted Democrat and will do so again.

Values : Other

(Donald – Tucson, AZ) August 6 – 3:57 AM

Allow on-line gambling. Prohibition does not work. There are tens of millions of people involved in this recreational activity. I am a Viet Nam Veteran currently serving as an advisor in Iraq. I play on-line for recreation. Bring the games and income back to the US from the off shore havens which protect them. Let them work out of Las Vegas. It is futile to try and legislate morality and stampout on-line gambling.

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 6:00 PM

The following is a letter written after a hearing held by the Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on April 2, 2008 by Congressmen Barney Frank, Ron Paul, Luis V. Gutierrez and Peter King to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke expressing their concerns about the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act: As you know, on Wednesday, April 2, the Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic and International and Monetary Policy held a hearing entitled, “Proposed UIGEA Regulations: Burden Without Benefit?” to examine the regulations issued last year by your agency and the Federal Reserve on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). At that hearing, the testimony of your representatives and the industry made it clear that the regulations are unworkable. Subsequently, we introduced new legislation, H.R. 5767, which would prohibit their implementation. The regulations, like the underlying legislation, fail to define the term “unlawful internet gambling,” leaving it to each financial institution to reconcile conflicting state and federal laws, court decisions and inconsistent Department of Justice interpretations, when determining whether to process a transaction. Furthermore, some of the information needed to make this determination would likely be unavailable to banks, because customers or financial institutions in foreign jurisdictions will likely be unwilling or unable to provide it. At the hearing, representatives from your agency and the Federal Reserve admitted that there are substantial problems in crafting regulations to implement the UIGEA in a manner that does not have a substantial adverse effect on the efficiency of the nation’s payment system. Your agency and the Federal Reserve have been struggling to issue these regulations, but as the hearing made clear, the underlying statute makes your job extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:59 PM

How do you enforce a law that has yet to be defined and “snuck” into law by riding on the tails of another law so many Congressional members didn’t even know that they were approving it? Because the authors of the UIGEA failed to use their bill to clarify exactly what gambling services customers in America must be denied, the UIGEA puts it to the banks to decide what is legal and what is not. If the banks get it wrong, they’re subject to punishment. The UIGEA wasn’t passed on its own and saw little debate before drawing votes; it was added to an expansive bill designed to increase security at the nation’s ports, and it’s quite possible that many Congressional members didn’t even know the UIGEA was included. The political maneuver was pulled off during an 11th hour of debate of the Safe Port bill by former Sen. Bill Frist, Sen. Jon Kyl, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte. It passed after midnight, right before Congressional members were set to go on an extended election-year recess. (Apr 2, 2008)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:59 PM

“The payment system isn’t well-designed for this task, and that’s what we’re really struggling with,” testified Louise Roseman, the director of the division of reserve bank operations and payment systems. But it goes beyond the financial system, Roseman said: “The most prominent concern is the lack of clarity of what forms of gambling are unlawful.” Because the UIGEA doesn’t define exactly what online gambling is, the proposed rules do not, either. And, as it stands, it will be up to the banks to arbitrarily decide which transactions to allow, and which to block. The representatives of four organizations that represent bank spelled were not confident that it could be done. (Apr 2, 2008)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:59 PM

I know I keep beating a dead horse here, but the multitude of articles in Card Player Magazine continue to point out how incredibly poorly written, conceived, and supported the UIGEA is: The Question Persists: What Exactly is Online Gambling? This morning a House subcommittee heard testimony on the proposed rules that will be used to enforce the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and there was only one person in the room who thought the UIGEA will actually work as intended. That person was Alabama Rep. Spencer Bachus, who described gambling as a “scourge” and played a role getting it through. Others in the room weren’t so optimistic. Bank representatives warned that the proposed rules are so unclear and so sweeping that the UIGEA has a chance to cause “an erosion of the performance of the financial system,” according to Wayne Abernathy, the executive director of financial institution policy and regulatory affairs for the American Bankers Association. Even employees of the Treasury Federal Reserve System and the Treasury Department, the two federal departments charged with creating the UIGEA rules banks will have to follow, politely told the Congressional members that the UIGEA and the gambling laws it references are so unclear that they doubt it will work as intended. Not only did the Treasury Federal Reserve System and the Treasury Department have extreme difficulty writing the proposed rules, because exactly what is conSidered illegal online gambling isn’t defined by the UIGEA or the federal government, but they also warned that banks simply aren’t up to the task of examining every single financial transaction to make sure they are not for online gambling.

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:58 PM

How many sanctions can the United States absorb, and what happens to its citizens when the government is forced to pay billions of dollars to other countries? Does this money come from my paycheck with higher taxes? I cannot afford to pay for groceries and fuel now. The European Commission today launched an investigation into “United States measures affecting foreign suppliers of Internet gambling services,” effectively an inquiry into the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which prevents European-based firms from competing in the U.S. market. The Commission is acting on a complaint from the UK-based Remote Gambling Association (RGA), which says that “the U.S. should not be allowed to enforce gambling laws selectively against foreign suppliers.” EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson says, “The U.S. has the right to address legitimate public policy concerns relating to Internet gambling, but discrimination against EU companies cannot be part of the policy mix. We are interested in a constructive and mutually satisfactory solution to this issue.” Mandelson’s office says, “The challenge made by the RGA concerns the fact that laws and regulations that ban the supply of Internet gambling into the United States market were already in place at a time when the U.S. had WTO commitments allowing such services. They also claim that the U.S. is now selectively enforcing these laws against foreign suppliers, for online gambling services which they offered in the past. Industry therefore argues that the United States measures violate Articles XVI (market access) and XVII (national treatment) of the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services).” (Mar 10, 2008)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:57 PM

A Dec. 21, 2007 article now shows that the WTO has decided that the United States owes Antigua and Barbuda “only” $21 million a year, rather than the $3.4 billion originally sought. Do we really have that much money to throw away? And what of the other countries of the world that can and are enacting sanctions against the U.S.? A World Trade Organization arbitrary panel has ruled that Antigua and Barbuda are entitled to $21 million a year from the United States, far below the $3.4 billion that the Caribbean countries sought in its claim against the United States concerning Internet gambling. ……The European Union, Japan, Canada, India, Costa Rica, and Macao joined Antigua and Barbuda in seeking sanctions against the U.S. through the WTO. Earlier this week, the U.S. settled with the E.U., Japan, and Canada. Those countries will receive sanctions that affect U.S. postal and courier, research and development, and storage and warehouse sectors. A monetary figure was not released. Negotiations with India, Costa Rica, and Macao continue. Gambling companies, particularly the WTO powerhouse the UK, encouraged their host countries to play hardball with the U.S. and seek sanctions in the billions of dollars in order to try to force the U.S. to revisit its anti-online gambling stance. Instead, the trade representatives from these countries settled for much less, essentially letting the U.S. off for significantly less than what the gambling industry and the countries will lose (in the form of taxes) from being cut off from U.S., the largest gambling market in the world.

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:55 PM

Even some of your fellow politicians are finally seeing how ridiculous the UIGEA is and are starting to look into ways to either repeal the law or amend it to allow internet gambling to be regulated and taxed: A hearing titled “Hearing on Establishing Consistent Enforcement Policies in the Context of Online Wagers” took place. A highlight from the hearing, which was held simply to inform the House Judiciary Committee about the online wagering, was when Tennessee Congressman Steven Cohen clashed with Tom McClusky, the vice preSident of government affairs for the Family Research Council. In his southern drawl, Cohen engaged McClusky, whose organization is one of the most powerful conservative organizations in America. On the topic of gambling, he had this to say to McClusky: “So, if it’s restricted or unrestricted, you’re against it. Is there any fun that you’re for?” And just last week, both Mass. Rep. Barney Frank, who chairs the House Financial Committee and also has a bill in committee that would clear the road for online gambling in America, and Mich. Rep. John Conyers, who chairs the Judiciary Committee and preSided over the gambling hearing, authored a letter to both PreSident George Bush and the U.S. Trade Representative office. The letter criticized the administration and the office for the way they handled the conflict between Antigua and the rest of the World Trade Organization, a conflict that could potentially cost the United States billions of dollars in sanctions. They wrote: “We are very concerned about the precedent this sets for future situations in which parties to these agreements find a particular obligation inconvenient or politically difficult.

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:54 PM

…And why Antigua and the WTO have a legitimate case: • There are at least 18 state laws that expressly authorize wagering by wire within the United States, including on a wholly intrastate basis. • The WTO Panel states that, while the U.S. originally argued that Internet gambling could not be regulated, it has changed its position because the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act 2006 explicitly acknowledges that such regulation is possible. • The WTO Panel refers to the recent prosecution of foreign Internet gaming operators but adds that it finds it “striking” that the DOJ [Department of Justice] has never prosecuted any of the U.S.-based operators of Internet horserace betting. • The WTO Panel notes that the U.S. had an opportunity to clarify that Internet gambling on horserace betting is prohibited but that the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act does precisely the opposite by deliberately maintaining the ambiguity. (June 27, 2007)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:54 PM

With our current financial affairs, can the United States really afford to be ignoring the ruling of the World Trade Organization and giving away $3 billion annually to Antigua and Barbuda? Both the European Union and the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda will seek monetary compensation from the U.S. through the WTO because the U.S. has failed to comply with WTO rulings that say U.S. policy to restrict online gambling violates WTO free trade rules. Antigua and Barbuda is asking for more than $3 billion in annual sanctions against the U.S. for stopping its reSidents from accessing online gambling sites located in the island nation. It’s not known exactly what the E.U. will seek. …..Instead of complying with WTO rulings, the U.S. responded by stating it will modify the agreement to reflect its current stance. U.S. officials believe that by doing this, the U.S. is now complying with WTO rules. WTO rules state that when a nation moves to revise agreements that already been signed, member nations can seek compensation if the revision directly affects companies located within their borders. Antigua and Barbuda asked all WTO members to seek compensation against the U.S. because of the maneuver. Antigua and Barbuda’s complaints were made before the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was signed into law by PreSident George W. Bush in October. The E.U., which goes under the WTO member name European Communities, has consistently pressured its member nations to allow its reSidents to access online gambling sites that are located within the E.U. Like the WTO, the E.U. conSiders online gambling a product that should not be restricted in countries that allow gambling. This is the main reason the WTO ruled in favor of Antigua and Barbuda in its case. If the U.S. banned all forms of online gambling, particularly interstate horse betting, then the WTO would most likely have ruled against the island nation. (June 20, 2007)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:53 PM

“The technology also exists, unlike for other forms of gambling, to allow players and operators to set limits on limits on time, wagers, deposits, as well as to exclude themselves,” Whyte said. “Clearly gambling on the Internet raises some difficult issues, but it provides theoretical opportunities for operators to deliver responsible gaming programs that meet or exceed current standards in the ‘bricks and mortar’ gaming industry.” Witnesses also addressed questions about the safety of deposits, fraud and money laundering. These witnesses, who all were from the payment processing industry, told lawmakers that technology now exists to provide complete regulation and feel that regulation is best for both the consumer and the government. “Within the United States vast amounts of credit card transactions take place on a daily basis,” said Clive Hawkswood, Chief Executive of the Remote Gambling Association. “The system is well established and well policed in order to counteract fraudulent and criminal transactions. The only circumstance in which crime can flourish is if the activity is unregulated.”

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:52 PM

Perhaps you still fear that minors and gambling addicts will have too easy an access to continue down “their road of sin.” After reading the following article printed in Card Player Magazine on June 8, 2007, I am positive your attitude will change. You will find these next two supporters quite surprising! The most compelling testimony in favor of legalizing online gambling didn’t come from the mouths of members of the online gambling industry, but from those who deal with problem gamblers everyday. Both Andrew Poole, of Online Services for GamCare, a charitable organization that addresses the social impact of gambling, and Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, pointed out how the proposed legislation would provide protection for both minors and problem gamblers. “We are satisfied that if the move towards more responsible operation continues to gather pace, as is increasingly observed across Europe and the rest of the world, that the continued legitimate development of the industry need not be off-set against significant increases in problematic gambling,” Poole said. “Robust, formal regulatory frameworks undoubtedly represent the best opportunity for achieving this.” Whyte told the committee, which is made up of more than 70 members of Congress, that Internet allows for certain controls that are beneficial is helping compulsive gamblers that can’t be found in regular casinos. “Problem gambling is a serious and even life-threatening mental health disorder,” said Whyte. “However, the graphical and interactive structure of the Internet provides a revolutionary opportunity to create informed consumers with access to a variety of information designed to encourage safe choices and discourage unsafe behavior. He also testified that technology now exists to limit and prohibit people who are compulsive gamblers, as well as minors, in ways that’s impossible to do at

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:49 PM

The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness “recently” released report on the UIGEA also states that it is a joke of a law. The CRE has several problems with the UIGEA. First, the UIGEA and its proposed banking rules are so unspecific when it comes to defining online gambling transactions that government agencies really have no idea what it will cost companies to implement. “Since the (Treasury) Department has not yet reliably determined the small business impact of the proposed rules, they do not have the record for certifying that they have met the burden reduction requirements of the PRA and will not have such a record until they develop a Revised Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. Accordingly, the Office of Management and Budget should withhold approval until the necessary record is developed and provided to the public for comment. The CRE also took the government to task for including the estimates cost of several items the UIGEA will require, such as “establishing transaction codes and merchant/business category codes that are required to accompany the authorization request.” The CRE report reads: “The complete burden associated with this very extensive labeling requirement (computer programming, coordination with tens of thousands of participating financial institutions and merchants, testing, training, software, hardware, etc.) need to be included in the PRA estimate.” And to show just how ineffective the UIGEA may be when it comes to smaller banks, the CRE warned that “Because merchants, including gambling businesses, are not included in the Information Collection Request [ICR], they may be able to exercise the ‘public protection’ provisions of the PRA and not be subject to any penalty for not complying with information collection aspects of the rule.”

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:47 PM

The World Trade Organization has again Sided with Antigua in a dispute between it and the United States concerning online gambling. The WTO panel has rejected the U.S.’s appeal of a decision it made in April of 2005 that said Antigua was right in claiming the U.S. violates WTO rules by working to prohibit its reSidents to play on online sites located outSide U.S. borders. The panel said the U.S. is violating the WTO’s general trade agreement because it allows remote gambling, particularly betting on horse races, to take place within its borders…. …….The report also noted that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which was passed after Antigua’s initial complaint, has the same loopholes that exist in the laws that encouraged Antigua to file the complaint. These loopholes are the main reasons that the panel ruled the U.S. is violating trade laws. Because the U.S. allows certain types of online gambling transactions to take place within its borders, but actively tries to stop the same services from being offered by companies located outSide the U.S., the U.S. is violating WTO agreements. (Mar 30, 2007)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:47 PM

Since the ’70s, U.S. wagering companies have openly offered state-sanctioned intrastate remote betting in the U.S.. Currently, 18 states have enacted licensing schemes that sanction and regulate remote pari-mutuel account wagering. Operators accept cross-border wagers from reSidents of at least 39 states. The U.S. pari-mutuel betting industry now encompasses a network of more than 1,000 wagering sites nationwide, including racetracks and off-track wagering facilities. Americans wager approximately $15 billion per year on horse and dog races. For the past few years, more than 85 percent of this total wagering “handle” was placed at off-track locations. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association estimates that remote betting makes up more than 20 percent of the pari-mutuel handle. In summary, in different places in the U.S., we have remote betting for race- and sportsbook wagering and we have remote lottery play and other types of remote gambling. Despite the existence of a multi-billion-dollar sanctioned remote gambling industry in the U.S., our government takes the untenable position that all remote gambling in the U.S. is illegal. If all remote gambling were illegal, it would also be illegal for Antigua to offer such gambling in the U.S. However, since we commonly know we can bet on a horse race or buy a lottery ticket remotely, the U.S. position could not possibly be correct. Since the U.S. joined the WTO and agreed to be bound by international rules of fair play in commerce, something is going to have to give. The U.S. is a respected member of the WTO, and its current position is untenable. Some time this month, the WTO is expected to issue its ruling as to whether the U.S. is now in compliance. I predict the WTO will rule that the U.S. is not in compliance and then we will wait to see what position our government will take. (Jan 16, 2007)

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:44 PM

ConSider the following article, printed in Card Player Magazine on Nov. 2, 2006: At the same time the U.S. government is trying to thwart online gaming, movement in other countries is embracing the concept of regulating it. The United Kingdom recently hosted a conference to discuss ways to stop criminals from defrauding online gamblers, prevent children access to gaming Web sites, and prevent money laundering. Officials from 32 nations met at Ascot Racecourse outSide London to discuss ways to implement the regulatory guidelines set forth by Britain in its efforts to regulate online gambling. The U.S. chose not to participate. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said Britain opposed the U.S. ban because it risks driving the industry into criminal hands, just like Prohibition. Britain was sympathetic to a complaint made by Antigua to the World Trade Organization, accusing the U.S. of protectionism of its gambling industry. In the meantime, the World Trade Organization is moving forward with hearings to determine whether the U.S. is in compliance with its ruling last year. (Of course, we all know the U.S. is not in compliance, but still, the U.S. is entitled to a hearing.) As you may remember, last year the WTO ruled in favor of Antigua and Barbuda against the U.S. regarding the online gaming issue. Antigua asserted that the U.S. was discriminating against Internet casinos based in its jurisdiction. Antigua’s position was that the U.S. government’s interference with a multibillion-dollar industry violated international trade rules and was simply a ploy to keep tax revenues within the borders of the U.S. The WTO agreed….. …….The WTO expects a ruling from the panel sometime around the beginning of next year. The issue is whether the U.S. is in compliance with the ruling that it cannot interfere with Antigua’s right to fair trade. The WTO’s rules can be broken down simplistically. No country can hamper another country’s right to fair trade.

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:43 PM

Perhaps the view of the U.K Secretary will aid you in opening your eyes at the stupidity of this law, comparing it to “how well” outlawing the consumption of alcohol went in our past. In an interview with the Financial Times published today, Tessa Jowell compared the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to alcohol prohibition of the 1920s and said that the UIGE Act may create the equivalent of online “modern-day speakeasies. America should have learned the lessons of prohibition,” Jowell said. (Oct. 27, 2006) Even more news from the same article: The World Trade Organization has ruled against the U.S. in a case when Antigua and Barbuda, the smallest member of the WTO, complained that the U.S. government’s stance on online gambling violates WTO policy of free trade. The U.S. has kept quiet about the ruling and has done nothing except blindly stick to its guns that online gambling should not be legal to its citizens. And since the U.K. will soon join Antigua and Barbuda as a country that taxes and regulates online gambling, the U.S. stands to face even more pressure from one of the richest nations in the world, which also happens to be one of its strongest allies. (Oct 27, 2006) With so many other countries, including our allies in the fight against terrorists and organized crime, convinced that regulating internet gambling rather than banning it is the wisest thing to do, how can you continue to be so blind?

National Security : Other

(Matthew – Winona, MN) August 3 – 12:07 AM

The RNC has no right nor should any act of congress prohibt internet gambling. True it can be taxed and regulated, which is good for all. But to crimanialize it is shameful. The RNC needs to wake up to the 21st Century and move on we ar over 1 Million strong PPA, and within your ranks so listen up. before we swing to the devil Side, the dems

Values : Other

(Sid – El Cajon, CA) August 4 – 5:49 PM

And now that you have passed this joke of a law, how do you plan on enforcing it? Even the people working in the Attorney General’s Office cannot come up with any regulations that are enforceable. Although the AG’s office has little more than a month to come up with regulations, they are “still looking” at the issue. This means they are not close to fashioning competent regulations with any teeth. It is quite possible that the AG’s office is still reviewing the issue because they have taken to heart the comments of representatives of financial institutions when the UIGEA was passed. “The bill sets up banks to police a social issue,” said Laura Fisher, spokeswoman for the American Bankers Association. “It’s not something we want to encourage.” The bill passed by Congress could allow regulators to exempt checks and money transfers because they are more difficult to track. “Analyzing 40 billion checks a year would be a largely manual process,” Fisher said. “If checks are not exempt, this would break our banks as it would be too costly to enforce.” ……The bottom line is that when our government tries to prohibit citizens from spending our money, we will react badly and find a legitimate way to spend our hard-earned money as we choose. We can open a bank account in Canada, wire money, or send a cashier’s check. We can go to our favorite online site and review all the legal ways to transfer money. Whatever regulations Gonzales and his cronies construct, creative players will find legitimate ways around those regulations. (May 30, 2007)

Values : Other

(David – Washington, DC) August 1 – 3:11 PM

I believe the Republiscan party should not stand against online poker. Poker is a socially acceptably game and more importantly Republicans should not try to interfere with what an individual does in his own home when it does not harm anyone else.

Values : Other

(Vincent – Long Lake, SD) August 1 – 2:57 PM

One issue that seems to be overlooked is our freedom of choice,and the ability to be able to make them. protecting american values should be an issue for everyone!!! but it should not be trampled on by every fanatic out there. I believe we need to wake america up and let them see what gov’t is doing!!! Since when did it become illegal to play poker on line or at home or any place where a group of consenting adults want to get together, in their free time for recreational fun??? JOIN the Poker Players Alliance and lets keep our freedoms. Vincent Amato

Values : Other

(J.C. – Seguin, TX) August 1 – 10:17 AM

I would like to see a slight change in the laws concerning internet gambling that would allow online poker. Millions of dollars in revenue are being lost to overseas companies. Poker is a game of skill between players. The companies running the poker sites take a “rake” from each hand or get a small percent of the entry fee for tourneys and have no stake in who wins or loses, so they have no reason to stack the odds in favor of one player over another.

Economy : Job Creation

(Stephan – Terlton, OK) August 1 – 6:06 AM

I hope that the Republican Party changes it’s stand on internet poker. It would be a great source of revenue for our country and it is a great game.

Values : Other

(Charles – Sierra Vista, AZ) August 1 – 2:37 AM

We support legalizing Poker on the Internet. The right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness should not be limited to those who live close enough to casinos to indulge in their favorite activities. Allowing those who live near casinos to participate in poker tournaments while not offering the same advantage to those who live in more remote areas is hypocritical. Poker is a game of skill that is part of American history and culture. BeSides, think of all the tax revenue that could be gained by taxing the games…

Values : Other

(Douglas – Colorado Springs, CO) July 31 – 10:15 PM

I am retired and love to play low states poker tournaments on line. Please add repeal of the on-line poker gaming laws to the Republican platform. Thanks

Economy : Tax Relief

(Jesse – Gibsonville, NC) July 31 – 7:56 PM

Poker just like any sport is a game of SKILL and LUCK, just like during a golf match, a football game, or even the all american baseball game, at any moment u could have a strong gust of wind to knock off the ball which is in play. However in poker its always the same 52 cards in a deck and the chances and percentages never change. It is my hope that congress will see this and realize that poker is a true game of SKILL and will allow those that arent always able to find a home game, or live close enough to a casino, to practice their skills online. Not to mention the benefits the government gets from the U.S. players paying taxes off their winnings. Im not a very political person and am still not sure what the benefits are from the U.S. GOVERNMENT banning online poker but im sure they do not out way the benefits of allowing it.

Values : Other

(Jesse – Gibsonville, NC) July 31 – 7:56 PM

Poker just like any sport is a game of SKILL and LUCK, just like during a golf match, a football game, or even the all american baseball game, at any moment u could have a strong gust of wind to knock off the ball which is in play. However in poker its always the same 52 cards in a deck and the chances and percentages never change. It is my hope that congress will see this and realize that poker is a true game of SKILL and will allow those that arent always able to find a home game, or live close enough to a casino, to practice their skills online. Not to mention the benefits the government gets from the U.S. players paying taxes off their winnings. Im not a very political person and am still not sure what the benefits are from the U.S. GOVERNMENT banning online poker but im sure they do not out way the benefits of allowing it.

Values : Other

(Rich – Union, KY) July 31 – 7:08 PM

Niel from Libertyville (he’s probably offended by the same of his town): “I have done some research on poker websites to see how they work. They really have a simple strategy. They reward bad players at first in order to attract them and then after you make a little money they turn on you and you lose all your money.” LOL. What research?!?!?!? Poker sites have no stake in the outcome of games. Poker is played between other players, and is a game of skill. And, you cannot lose your house, as sites don’t extend credit. Seems you need to do more research. I’ve done some research as well. People like you go to Congress with LIES, hoping to frighten Congress into banning things YOU don’t think I should be allowed to do with MY OWN MONEY. Well, Americans aren’t buying it. All you’ll do is lose a bunch of voters to Barr or to Democrats.

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 31 – 6:47 PM

I am writing to share with you, my ideas to help shape the 2008 Republican Party Platform. As you may know, the 2000 and 2004 GOP platforms actually advocated a federal ban of Internet poker! From the 2004 platform: “We support legislation prohibiting gambling over the Internet.” It doesn’t get any clearer than that. I strongly DISAGREE and hope the party reconSiders this outdated position. Poker is a game of skill and is good for young and old citizens, alike. Its a healthy mind exercise that can be played irregardless of age, sex, culture diversity or physical disability. The blind can play in the WSOP Main Event and do well, I ask you what other type of competition can be as exciting and challanging to so many different peoples? Thank you for listening.

Values : Other

(Donnie – Lincoln, NE) July 31 – 6:34 PM

There are 2 things every American is guaranteed in life: Death, and working every monday for free becuase of taxes. These taxes then go on to pay for our senators and congressman, who, in turn….make MORE bills and laws to make the average Americans life THAT much more difficult and harder. The government has NO right whatsoever to say that I cannot play online poker. How thats even proposed with a straight face is beyond me. Making online poker illegal would only be the 1st step in invading my PERSONAL rights. Wouldn’t it make a lot more sense to just tax the poker players winnings, like everything else is? Online poker tax would generate BILLIONS of dollars in revenue each year. BeSides, how many people honestly claim poker winnings when filing their tax returns right now? Its “illegal” right now as it is, why would anyone want to claim poker winnings? Making poker CLEARLY legal, but taxing winnings, would make a LOT more sense than just saying that I can’t play poker anymore. Making online poker illegal is stepping into my house, sitting down at my computer with me, and tearing a very simple and basic right from me. I’m glad I wont be here 70 years from now- who knows what kind of world its going to be when the government is already trying to tell me what I can and can’t do with my money?

Values : Other

(Anthony – Erlanger, KY) July 31 – 6:14 PM

Republicans started the anti-online gambling push with Bill Frist’s sneak attack in the Safe Port Act. In my own state, NC, Rep. Foxx and Sen. Burr both wrote me claiming that people playing poker online was funding terrorists, etc. It’s a weak argument (as any online purchase could do the same). I specifically voted against Foxx in the last election and will vote again against Burr and Foxx if they do not change their stance against poker. With proper age restrictions in place (like we have at Harrahs Casino in Cherokee, NC and many others), tax liability, etc., poker can be a revenue producer for the government. Current laws make it a financial burden because they force banks to police individuals. I know in the grand scheme of things, poker is not a Republican priority. But with millions of voting age poker players in this country, it is a simple change in platform to win voters. You cannot use morality for a reason to ban it, because we allow it in casinos and promote lotteries (pure luck – no skill). There may be bigger issues (abortion, gay marriage, etc), but Republicans are on the same page there. Agree with the Democrats (Frank, Shelley, etc), sponsor their bills to look into legal online poker regulation and you will get voters back you lost in last election. Check the poker forums like TwoPlusTwo at all the players who are jumping the Republican ship. Not because it’s so important, but it was the last straw in civil liberties taken away. You will defend my right to carry a gun, but not to play a $5 poker tournament from my home (or even in my home for that matter)? I am a Christian, a Conservative, a voter and a poker player. Please stop legislating my entertainment. There are more important things you could be doing.

Values : Other

(Charles – Morton, IL) July 31 – 5:41 PM

I must say that in the 24 years I have been alive and an American citizen never have I been more ashamed to be an American; never have I felt more violated as an American; and most importantly never have I wanted to leave this country until now. The problem is I do love this country; however the people that are running this country are ruining this country. They are making laws based on moral standards that are unenforceable and most importantly ILLEGAL. Who are you (the government) to tell me what is morally right or wrong? The country has already been illegally taxing its citizens without representation and continues to take away more and more of our rights by the year. This country has become a police state and if things continue I can guarantee there will be a revolution. Anyways, I have many many many issues with the United States Government from the war to the completely ridiculous and highly UNCONSTITUTIONAL U.S. Patriot act (which by the way the irony in the name is just too much). Anyways, the issue at hand is another right that the handful of people running(ruining) this country have decided to take away from the millions and millions of people who blindly believe in this hypocracy of a democracy we call the U.S.A. What I am referring to is Online Poker. In no way shape or form does the U.S. Government have the right to make a skill game like POKER an illegal activity. I, as well as millions and millions of poker players, will not vote for someone who wants to take away my right to participate in this game. In fact, if the government keeps abusing its rights and taking advantage of the power and control it has over its people I will no longer live here. I have started looking into moving abroad and fully intend on taking my masters degree from an American institution to a country that protects my civil liberties and interests. Thank you.

Values : Other

(Richard – Prattville, AL) July 31 – 4:45 PM

I am a proud Republican from the great state of Alabama who would like to voice my opinion concerning internet poker,PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO STOP THIS MOST ENJOYABLE HOBBY!! This is something that numerous people enjoy, and playing poker at your home is the only way people like myself get to play this exciting game of skill, being several hours drive away from the nearest casinos. Your conSideration on this matter will be greatly appreciated .

Values : Other

(Christopher – Seattle, WA) July 31 – 4:38 PM

Internet gambling is not the business of the federal government. Poker is not a crime, but a game of skill, played voluntarily among free citizens. Property rights do not exist at the pleasure of the government — remove support for the internet gambling prohibition from our platform.

Values : Other

(Michael – Brook Park, OH) July 31 – 3:46 PM

I’m a retired man and i love to play poker,i like to play on line but it’s illegal why? i spend very little and enjoy very.Please change your anti poker view. Thank you mike conroy

Values : Other

(Jeffrey – Diamond Bar, CA) July 31 – 2:31 PM

The Republicans are the party for limiting government involvement in personal freedoms. The party is now seen as responsible for limiting ones ability to play poker online. This is a losing issue for the party. Poker is part of American culture, and should be legal and regulated in all forms.

Economy : Trade

(Michael – Deltona, FL) July 31 – 2:12 PM

On line poker should be a basic right for individuals. It is none of the governments business what a person does with his own money in his own home. Too many dollars are going over seas, we need to make it legal for American Companies to own poker sites. It can be taxed and regulated. Many Republicans lost their seats because of this one issue alone and now they will lose more seats because the people don’t want a nanny state. All we want is the government to protect us from our enemies, not ourselves. The libertarians will end up taking over our party and I don’t blame them.

Values : Other

(Kirk – Warrensburg, MI) July 31 – 2:03 PM

As an avid online poker player, I find that my personal freedoms have been infringed upon by the replublican party, who deem it necessary to decide what is right and wrong for me. Unless the UIGEA is repealed or an exemption is put in place for poker, I will not be voting Republican. I realize as my life has progressed that my beliefs fall more inline with the Democrats. The fact that I feel like I am doing something wrong on my own time and money is completely unfair to me as an American citizen. I ask that the republican party for ONCE pay attention to what the people are saying and either repeal the UIGEA or carve out an exemption for Online Poker.

Values : Other

(Kevin – Las Vegas, NV) July 31 – 1:25 PM

When I think of a traditional Republican, I think of the idea of limited government, personal freedom, and conservative rationality. I doubt many Republicans disagree with these three principles. So when the government passes a law like the UIGEA without even hearing the opinions of the individuals being stripped of their freedoms, it pushes the traditional Republicans to question if personal freedoms and limited government are truly a tenant of the Republican party. How can anyone believe that the Republican Party is pushing for limited government and personal freedom when something as trivial as the privacy of a person to play the great American game of poker is stripped away? I am a poker player as are millions of other Americans. Poker is a skill game, a game of strategy. Like all strategy games, there is a component of luck. Poker should be protected from the UIGEA as a skill game exemption. Online poker should further be regulated and taxed by the United States government. Doing anything else would simply be reliving the mistakes of prohibition. Protecting American Values is the title of this issue. It means more than just the buzzwords thrown around about religion and morality. It also strikes at the heart of every poker player when our right to do what we want with our money is taken away.

Values : Other

(Harry – Grosse Pointe Woods, MI) July 31 – 1:17 PM

It was not surprising that poker was also listed in the UIGEA legislation as a form of gambling. My mother, now 87, taught her children to play cards, including poker. Over the past 70 years, I have enjoyed numerous family gatherings to play the many card games we learned. I still travel weekly to visit my brother and mother, and we play poker for dimes. There’s plenty of bluffing, positioning and laughing…and we all smile afterwards. Card playing, including poker, is an American family value that can now be extended throughout the world to all nations through the internet. It is time to correct the misconception that poker is simply gambling and recognize it requires a great deal of skill and can also help to build stronger families which we so badly need in our world today. Legalize poker and other card games of skill, so that it can be taxed and monitored!

Economy : Other

(Carol – Alvarado, TX) July 30 – 5:38 PM

I am strongly in favor of legalized internet gambling. It was a sham the way the internet gambling legislation was back-doored in previously. You should be ashamed to pull that sort of thing on your constituents. It has severely affected the lives and income, as well as the enjoyment of a simple fun pastime, for millions of Americans. This must be corrected. If the Republican party truly stands for self-responsibility, then quit being a part of legislation that places government squarely over the wishes of the individual. Please don’t legislate for the lowest common denonimator and feel that you must be the protector. Let people make their own decision as to whether they wish to gamble on the Internet. Sincerely, Carol Buchanan, DVM

Economy : Job Creation

(Jack – Garland, TX) July 31 – 5:28 PM

The GOP stands for Freedom from Government Oppression. Stating in our platform that we are against internet gambling or any other form of government controlled gambling (Casinos) just puts more restrictions on Freedom of the People. The FBI Crime web site explains that Cities with Casinos don’t cause more crime in those cities when comparing to same size cities in the US. There are people who are addicted to shopping. What’s next?…say we’re against Wal-Mart? Let’s get AWAY from restricting our Freedoms. We’ve been taught that Casinos are bad, but not one evangelical (me included) can quote any Biblical reference to it or to gambling in general. We already have government contolls that keep the Mafia types out. Let’s don’t restrict our freedoms to be free to make our own choices of how we want to spend our own hard earned income.

Economy : Trade

(Anonymous) July 31 – 4:22 PM

If the GOP really is interested in jobs and growth and the WTO / Free Trade, start by honoring WTO rulings. We lost, plain and simple on Internet Gambling contrary to what was told by the USTR to Congress, EXCEPT SPORTING. Honor this ruling and go one step more, bring these companies onshore. These company’s employee thousands (we sure could use that) and they make millions of dollars (we sure could use the taxes). Encourage a true electric car, not a plug and go, but a self-sustaining car. Encourage Natural gas cars with home filling (easy even). To protect road taxes, have a special meter for these. DRILL for oil. Dedicate at least 50% of the revenue to the National debt and DO NOT KEEP SPENDING MORE THAN WE HAVE!!!! Charge a royalty fee, say 10%, and then sell this.

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 31 – 4:08 PM

America is diverse nation of religious and cultural values. Imposing those of one religious persuasion upon all others is, well, Un-American. Which brings me to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act (UIGEA). Many support this for morals, others on the unfounded fears of click your mouse – lose your house and still others abhor the idea and claim a casino will be in every bedroom. I even heard one GOP member say, why you can play in your bathrobe! Nonsensical arguments for imposing ones views on tax paying Republicans like myself. Though I see no reason every activity we as Americans engage in needs to be taxed and regulated by a government overseer, it necessary, Regulate and tax it, afford protections to Americans, not by banning an activity a majority of Americans do, but by providing guidelines to ensure children are protected and reasonable limits are in place to prevent abuse. Amend the UIGEA to reflect and respect the Internet and personal liberties and rights of all Americans.

Values : Other

(Joe – Allison Park, PA) July 31 – 12:49 PM

Millions of American citizens play poker online. Lets regulate the industry so can flourish in the United States and millions more can enjoy it. My government should not be able to tell me what I can and can not do with the money I earned.

Economy : Other

(Joe – Allison Park, PA) July 31 – 12:46 PM

I thought the Republican Party supported capitalism. These are companies will strengthen the US economy. These companies generate billions of dollars each year. However, the Republican Party is trying to limit capitalism by outlawing online poker in the United States. Support capitalism by supporting online poker.

Values : Other

(Alfred – Clarkston, MI) July 31 – 12:42 PM

To whom it may concern: I am writing to request that the party platform include language supporting an American’s right to play poker online. As a conservative, I want the federal government to stay out of my personal affairs. I am an adult and should be able to make my own personal decision regarding this issue without federal government interference. Please make this a platform issue. Thank you

Values : Other

(Kelvin – Mattoon, IL) July 31 – 12:29 PM

Legalize online poker. It is a game of skill played by millions of Americans in the comfort of our homes at all different levels. Tax it and regulate it. Use the proceeds to help fund Social Security and Heathcare for our Retired Citzens and Children. Poker is an American right. Let us learn from probation and get on the correct Side of this issue. DO NOT Legislate MORALITY. Again poker is a game of skill. And poker tournaments are much like entering a golf tournament, bowling tournament, etc. etc.

Economy : Government Spending

(Phil – Punta Gorda, FL) July 31 – 12:02 PM

Even if I didn’t play poker, I would be appalled at the hypocritical legalization of the numbers racket (lotteries) while not allowing online poker, which is, indeed, a skill game. The hypocrisy is compounded by pandering to the knee-jerk moralists when, in fact, it’s a taxation issue. In the meantime, the opposition is pummeling us on this issue. My solution: Allow online gaming and spend less – a lot less – rather than taxing more.

Values : Other

(Phil – Punta Gorda, FL) July 31 – 12:01 PM

Even if I didn’t play poker, I would be appalled at the hypocritical legalization of the numbers racket (lotteries) while not allowing online poker, which is, indeed, a skill game. The hypocrisy is compounded by pandering to the knee-jerk moralists when, in fact, it’s a taxation issue. In the meantime, the opposition is pummeling us on this issue. My solution: Allow online gaming and spend less – a lot less – rather than taxing more.

Values : Other

(Gregory – Cambridge, MA) July 31 – 10:37 AM

Poker is a game of skill and should not be banned along with other gambling games online or live. Some game theorists claim that the game of no limit holdem tournaments are as complicated as chess as a game of skill. Poker is a game of high short term luck, but of no long term luck factor at all. At least wo of our preSidents have made a significant amount of money playing poker, Truman and Nixon. Take out any provision in any legislation that bans poker anywhere in any form. Or, conversely, establish a government agency that enforces the law and start arresting playing poker at home games – I am sure no one seriously advocates that.

Values : Other

(Jim – Winter Springs, FL) July 31 – 9:56 AM

I am disable and do not go to the many casino’s in our great nation. I do not have that freedom, but I can play on line and find it very disappointing that my fellow patty took this away from me. What gives you the right to discreminate against those of us that are housebound. Limit my dollars would be bad enough but to tell me a grown adult in my house that i cannot play., shows me how shallow our freedom has become. We are free only if we agree with the party on all things. Maybe I too should vote democrate, after all I have stopped my contribution to the party, I think that is a bigger gamble then poker ever was.

Values : Other

(Rodney – Louisville, KY) July 31 – 9:55 AM

online poker what does do for the people 1-poker allows people to stay home and enjoy a game of their choice 2-poker gives people from all over the world the chance to meet each other and see that we are alot a like in who we are and wat we enjoy. 3-online poker is an opportunity to raise needed tax dollars without raising income tax on everyone. 4-poker at home helps the parents guard the minors against gambling until their old enough 5- on line poker is very enjoyable

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 31 – 9:46 AM

Internet poker: I am a conservative Republican and I play poker online. That’s my choice as a free American. Are there some that will be hurt by internet poker? Yes, but that is true of smoking, drinking, and other potentially hazardous activities when taken to the the extreme. Please enough of the ‘Nanny’ Government mentality.

Values : Other

(Jonathan – Tooele, UT) July 31 – 9:18 AM

I am a well paid blue collar worker wo feels persecuted because I am not allowed to play poker in my own house online. I do not waste my families money by taking expensive trips to Las Vegas to gamble. I feel if i want to play poker (a game of skill not a game of chance) in my own home I feel I should have that right.

Values : Other

(Paul – Ronkonkoma, NY) July 31 – 4:58 AM

Thank you for this opportunity. Online poker is an entertaining hobby for me to engage in. Instead of outlawing it, regulate it and open it up to American companies to compete. Why should I be required to go to a casino and play live, when I can spend much less or nothing at all (freerolls) in the privacy of my own home? Respectfully submitted.

Values : Other

(Linda – Las Vegas, NV) July 31 – 3:54 AM

I am a poker player and I want to be sure that part of the Republican platform this year is to legalize online poker. There are millions of poker players in the US and we need our rights protected. Thanks. Linda Johnson

Values : Other

(Michael – Medina, MN) July 31 – 2:45 AM

As an avid online poker player, I want to start off by saying that I find it absolutly ridiculous that recreational and professional players have to stand up for their right to play online poker. While I do respect the concerns from some people of what online poker could do to some, I feel it is outrageous that attempts have been made at halting an American, like myself, from playing online poker within my own household. While growing up, poker was always a family game. My grandfather and father were always so persistant about teaching me the different games of poker as well as explaining to me what it all really could teach me in life. This was something I was never able to understand until the past few years. Like sports while growing up, poker has taught me so much. It has taught me to stay competitive in a very competitive world. It has taught me to be patient and maximize my expectancies. It has taught me to be persistant in a way that has changed my view on life. It has taught me that if things dont work out on the first few tries, I can still accomplish the task at hand if I keep trying my best. I strongly believe that online poker is something that should be completly legalized and allow the US to fully benefit from the tax revenue it can provide. Also, as a poker enthusiast, I don’t feel I should have to deal with threats from my own government that they are attempting to prohibit something that I can say I truly love. My family, along with millions of other Americans, are going to continue to play the game of poker for years to come no matter what happens. While I extremely hope my voice is heard, along with the many other poker enthusiasts, I do thank you for reading this. Michael Townsend- Medina, MN

Values : Other

(Jan – Las Vegas, NV) July 31 – 2:09 AM

Poker has been a mainstay for centuries… preSidents and commoners have played. To restrict my rights as an American to play poker in the privacy of my home is as silly as telling me I can’t play it in a public venue. Has everyone gone crazy? What happened to civil liberties and private rights? I can have a gun but not play poker? That is just insane and I’ll never vote for anyone who pledges that concept. Respectfully, Jan in Las Vegas

Values : Other

(Bette – El Cajon, CA) July 30 – 11:42 PM

I’m retired. I like to play poker. I don’t want to have to go to the nearby Indian casinos or Vegas to do it. I save gas and time by doing it in the privacy of my home and it doesn’t bother anyone or should it be anyone else’s business that I use the internet for what must be a legal activity as it is done everyday in Nevada and New Jersey and all tribal lands. Let’s not be hypocrites. Allow the U.S. Players to play whenever they want. It’s our right!

Values : Other

(Michael – Plano, TX) July 30 – 11:22 PM

I am a conservative citizen, who used to always be counted on to vote Republican. I enjoy playing poker online as well as in casinos. I’d like to see the Republican platform committee change its stance on online poker from its 2004 position. It is an issue that should be protected as an individual freedom. This is not an area that government should intrude into the lives of its citizens. Currently, the online gambling sites that exist do so outSide of the United States. By allowing online poker to be legal and accessible by U.S. citizens, it creates jobs and revenue by allowing U.S. gaming companies to establish their own web sites. This issue could be a deciding factor for me and many others if a Republican candidate is facing a moderate Democrat who does not stray too far from our values. Thank you.

Values : Other

(John – Cokato, MN) July 30 – 11:10 PM

I just want to say that I would like to see you fellows write up a law which will allow poker players the right to play poker at any state in the US VIA the internet.We need to bring revenues into the US and what better way then a game of poker.We can siphen money from all the same countries that we all ready have trade deficits with.It’s money that if we dont act on this port bill that was passed along with the illegal internet gambling attachment we will lose out on some liquid money over seas.Lets get the ball rolling please, times are hard and taxes are many I need ways to suplement my income and i think poker is the way.Unlike slots and casinos the edge goes to the more experienced and skillfull player not to the house where the tribal leaders and there clan reward themselves with hefty monthly payments from hard working Americans like me.I trust you will do the right thing which has been going on since our for fathers sat down and played it. thanks

Values : Other

(Deborah – Bakersfield, CA) July 30 – 11:10 PM

Americans have always been a fiercely proud, independent people. We value our freedoms over nearly everything else. In keeping with that love for freedom, I urge the GOP to support legalizing online poker. Poker has been a part of Americana since America’s founding. Players could be taxed on their winnings to help shore up our economy. Please, allow Americans the freedom to choose online poker. Thank you.

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 10:44 PM

More and more members of the Republican Party have been adopting an uninformed position on the issue of internet poker. Most politicians who think online poker should be banned either do not know what poker is, have an inflated perception of the incidence of problem gambling behavior, or have an outright irrational and inconsistent view that activities that “are gambling” should be prohibited for some reason. Surely the influence of “family” organizations has played a role in shaping the Republican Party’s views on this issue, and that the GOP would pander to a position on poker that has no basis in fact or reason is truly embarrassing for our entire nation. I shall leave the further explanation to the countless others who have weighed in here on this issue, and I shall suffice to say that it is obvious that the only rational and sensible position on online poker is to make it explicitly legal under our laws. This is much, much clearer than complex issues such as abortion, gay marriage, and war, so if the GOP can’t get this right, I cannot respect the Party.

Values : Other

(Gerald – Jacksonville, FL) July 30 – 10:32 PM

As a lifelong republican I believe in personal responsibility. Choosing to gamble on the internet should be a personal choice not a decision the government makes for us. In 2004 the party platform took the position that governement should ban internet gambling. I enjoy playing poker on the internet and if the party platform were to advocate banning internet gambling this election season I would seriously conSider voting for Obama. McCain happens to enjoy gambing in vegas and online gambling is no different. Please conSider advocating allowing the states to decide the issue of internet gambling.

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 8:56 PM

As a Republican, a Texan, a Christian, an adult, and a physician, I am pleased that the party has made this forum available. I would like to echo the sentiment of so many others here that individual responsibility and personal liberty are fundamental conservative principles. Despite the legitimate concerns that are voiced by some, by allowing and regulating some forms of internet based poker, those concerns could be more easily put to rest than in with the current regulations. Although opposition to internet poker exists within the party, there is also a strong contingent of the base who are strong supporters. With more pressing security and value arguments upon us, I would urge the party to, at a minimum , drop it’s reference to internet gambling. Poker is an American past time with a significant component of skill. From the old western frontier, to Mississippi riverboats, to Mark Twain, to todays television and internet boom Americans have enjoyed the game, and it should not be criminalized. Thank you for your conSideration.

Values : Other

(Kelley – Kensington, MD) July 30 – 8:54 PM

We should protect our choice to participate in internet gaming. Particularly, poker is a game of skill as well as luck and not a complete game of chance. We should be able to choose to play legally online in our free society.

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 8:45 PM

Please ease restricions on internet gaming. America is falling behind to foreigners of every nation at OUR game of poker. This is due directly to the fact that we are limited in our use of online gambling sites. This is the most ludicrous ban since prohibition. Please give us our rights back.

Values : Other

(Steven – Tulsa, OK) July 30 – 8:08 PM

Thank you for this opportunity. Online poker is an entertaining hobby for me to engage in. Instead of outlawing it, regulate it and open it up to American companies to compete. Why should I be required to go to a casino and play live, when I can spend much less or nothing at all (freerolls) in the privacy of my own home? Respectfully submitted.

Values : Other

(Kent – Lawrence, KS) July 30 – 7:25 PM

Poker should be treated just like the horse racing industry…carve it out and let the major casino industry regulate and tax it…it is here…make it happen

Values : Other

(Kent – Lawrence, KS) July 30 – 7:12 PM

poker needs to be TREATED just like the horse racing industry… carve it out and let the major casino’s get involve and let them regulate the industry and tax it….stop fighting it…it is here make it happen…

Values : Other

(Jason – East Alton, IL) July 30 – 7:02 PM

I am a conservative leaning independant, who enjoys playing poker online as well as in casinos. I’d like to see the Republican platform committee change its stand on online poker from its 2004 position. It is an issue that should be protected as an individual freedom. Currently, the online gambling sites that exist do so outSide of the United States. By allowing online poker to be legal and accessible by U.S. citizens, it creates jobs and revenue by allowing U.S. gaming companies to establish their own web sites. This issue could be a deciding factor for me and many others if a Republican candidate is facing a moderate Democrat who does not stray too far from our values. Thank you.

Values : Other

(Gregory – Raleigh, NC) July 30 – 6:54 PM

My point is simple. Is the Republican Party no longer the party of personal freedom and individual responsibility? Why has this party, that used to protect my rights, now become the party that wants to create a Nanny-state? Stay away from issues of personal liberty, except to remove old laws that restrict these liberties. Don’t try to regulate morality. Morality is something for each of us to decide for ourselves. The only laws that regulate our actions should be those that are designed to protect others, never to protect us from ourselves. Only children require or merit such protection. Specifically, quit trying to outlaw online poker. Instead, get involved in protecting the public, by stepping up to specifically legalize and regulate online poker sites. Doing this would help protect Americans (millions of whom already play this game legally, ask me to explain if you think otherwise) by fully and properly regulating the industry, and it would add BILLIONS of tax dollars to decrease U.S. debt. If any members of the Platform Committee or any members of Congress would like to discuss this with me, please ask them to contact me at my registered email address, xxxxxx@xxxxxx. Thanks, Greg Raymer (2004 World Series of Poker Champion)

Values : Other

(Thomas – Brooklyn, NY) July 30 – 6:39 PM

Americans have the right to play poker on the internet. Poker is a game of skill. Poker is a game born in America that has become popular all around the world.

Values : Other

(Todd – Winston Salem, NC) July 30 – 5:44 PM

Republicans started the anti-online gambling push with Bill Frist’s sneak attack in the Safe Port Act. In my own state, NC, Rep. Foxx and Sen. Burr both wrote me claiming that people playing poker online was funding terrorists, etc. It’s a weak argument (as any online purchase could do the same). I specifically voted against Foxx in the last election and will vote again against Burr and Foxx if they do not change their stance against poker. With proper age restrictions in place (like we have at Harrahs Casino in Cherokee, NC and many others), tax liability, etc., poker can be a revenue producer for the government. Current laws make it a financial burden because they force banks to police individuals. I know in the grand scheme of things, poker is not a Republican priority. But with millions of voting age poker players in this country, it is a simple change in platform to win voters. You cannot use morality for a reason to ban it, because we allow it in casinos and promote lotteries (pure luck – no skill). There may be bigger issues (abortion, gay marriage, etc), but Republicans are on the same page there. Agree with the Democrats (Frank, Shelley, etc), sponsor their bills to look into legal online poker regulation and you will get voters back you lost in last election. Check the poker forums like TwoPlusTwo at all the players who are jumping the Republican ship. Not because it’s so important, but it was the last straw in civil liberties taken away. You will defend my right to carry a gun, but not to play a $5 poker tournament from my home (or even in my home for that matter)? I am a Christian, a Conservative, a voter and a poker player. Please stop legislating my entertainment. There are more important things you could be doing.

Values : Other

(Ryan – Las Vegas, NV) July 30 – 5:29 PM

Repeal the UIGEA or otherwise carve out a clear exemption for online poker so that it can be taxed and regulated.

Values : Other

(Lou – Georgetown, DE) July 30 – 5:22 PM

I call myself a republican and have been registered as a republican for a long time but actually my values are conservative. The two are not the same thing. I believe in American values but don’t undertand the ban against internet poker that the republican party has been supporting. I don’t need the government controling what I opt do do with my spare time and my entertainment budget. This goes against freedom which this country was founded on. Poker is not true gambling. It takes wit and you can control the outcome. At a mimimum I would like to see the republican party change their stance on this (and other issues) to promote freedom and allow citizens to exercise personal responsiblity. Poker over the internet needs to be removed from the internet gambling prohibition.

Values : Other

(Curtis – Reno, NV) July 30 – 5:06 PM

Please, no legislation that prohibits gambling (and particularly poker) over the internet. The cat’s already out of the bag, so why not legalize it and tax it?

Values : Other

(William – Torrance, CA) July 30 – 4:06 PM

I have been a long time republican who family has always supported the party through votes and contributions. One thing i have no been for which the republican party has been supporting is the ban against internet poker. I don’t think that it is the federal goverments place to tell me how i spend my entertainment money. I don’t believe this is what the founding fathers had as the idea when they thought of freedom. Also when i see internet horse racing is legal it makes me think the lobbyist run the party. WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR VIEWS. We are the party of States rights not the party of goverment control.

Values : Other

(Steven – Christiana, TN) July 30 – 3:55 PM

I stopped voting Replublican as of September 2006. Prior to that date, I’d never voted anything BUT Republican. I go to church Sunday morning, evening and wednesday nights. I’m pro-life, pro traditional marriage, etc. My dad is a baptist preacher. I am the prototype republican that Bush counted on for two terms. I also play online poker. When Bill Frist (one of my own state Senators at the time!) slipped in legislation to hamper my ability to play a $5 tournament at Poker Stars, I felt enough was enough. The republican party had not only become the party of free spenders with my tax money, but also the party of nosey nannies, trying to keep me from spending what’s left on an entertainment choice that I enjoy. How ironic! I’m one of many “christians” poker players. Focus On the Family does not speak for me when it comes to online gaming. My suggestion to the GOP: get back to limited government. Limited in how you spend our tax dollars and limited in how you attempt to control our personal lives. If you can manage to get out of my living room, I’ll get off my couch and vote red again.

Values : Other

(David – Johns Creek, GA) July 30 – 3:01 PM

Dear Committee Members, I am a long time Republic voter, and feel it is critical to have the party aligned on critical matters. I have been extremely disappointed with the party’s narrow minded approach to online poker, choosing to devote energy to banning this game of skill in a broad brushed approach to outlaw online gambling. As a degreed mechanical engineer, a certified Master Black Belt in Six Sigma (statistical analysis) and a business leader for a large corporation, I truly understand that the game of poker requires skill well beyond the elements of luck that exist in pure “games of chance” or gambling. Sports all include an element of luck… the timing of a gust of wind as a golf ball is struck, or the chance a tennis player is matched up against an opponent that has a special shot that gives that player difficulty in spite of being able to handle most other players with ease…but the performance of championship teams are based on success over a period of time that minimizes the impact of luck. Poker is exactly the same, where players can demonstrate there ability to understand mathmatical odds and strategy to distinguish their play above other players. It is not by chance that successful players continue to do well in this game. It is not a gamble to players that understand the game. Limiting the ability for all players to play in a safe manner online because of the inability of some people to control their spending, should not be the answer to solving a problem of people not being responsible for their actions, nor should it be the focus of the republican party. I trust that the Republican Party will direct energy toward making sure hard working Americans are safe from terror around the world as well as making sure we are not continuing a pattern of funding the mistakes individuals make for poor financial decisions by failing to control their spending. Penalizing responsible Americans for actions of those that are irrespon

Economy : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 2:58 PM

I am a republican and a poker player. I think internet poker should be fully backed by the GOP. We know what to do with our money, and so should play poker online if we do so wish. I believe people should be allowed to spend, or make money online and saying any different would be anti-capitalistic. To put another restriction on how money can be spent is something I would expect from the democratic party. The GOP official stance on internet gaming should be fully supportive.

Values : Other

(Fred – Marlton, NJ) July 30 – 2:53 PM

In the last preSidentiual election years the republican platform advocated a federal ban on internet poker. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING POKER FOR 55 YEARS! KEEP THE GOV’T OUT OF MY PERSONAL BUSINESS !! If I choose to do it on the internet, it is no one’s concern.

Values : Other

(Bob – Tehachapi, CA) July 30 – 2:48 PM

Please do NOT include any anti online poker provisions in the GOP platform. Unless, of course, you are willing to include anti Insurance industry, and anti Stock Market planks as well. Those industries are well regulated and a major revenue source for the government. Online skill based competition for wagers is not immoral, and can (and should) be regulated and taxed. Basing an anti poker or any other personal choice stance on moral issues is what is alienating many, myself included, from the GOP. Please keep the liberties of the individual in mind just as our founding fathers did. The GOP seems to be leading the way in limiting or even depriving the individual of his rights. I am a registered Republican but that can change.

Values : Other

(James – Parma, OH) July 30 – 2:39 PM

To Whom It May Concern; I have been a Reagan Republican since 1980 because I believed in the platform of the Republican Party. However, the party of Ronald Reagan is no longer the party that I believe in for the following reason. Let me say first, I believe in family values, protecting the unborn, religious freedom, etc…. However I have been quite unhappy with the Republican Party since the passage of UIGEA in 2006. It is another infringment upon our personal freedoms which we have enjoyed for 200 plus years. I play poker and I am a STUDENT of the game. I can tell you POKER is definitely a skill based game which requires HOURS and HOURS of study and analysis, THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of hands played. Playing POKER whether it be within the comforts of my own home on the INTERNET or should I decide to play in a local VENUE is not a CRIME! It has saddened me MUCH the position the Republican Party has taken on this ISSUE, when I know PAST PRESIDENTS, PAST SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN have played the great game as well as current Senators and Congressman. Prohibiting POKER from being played on the INTERNET is not the ANSWER! Study the history of PROHIBITION and you’ll agree with me it is not the ANSWER. We want REGULATION and not PROHIBITION! I would ask the Republican Party to take a honest look at this issue and conSider reversing the BAD LEGISLATION which was passed into LAW! As IT STANDS right now I AM most unhappy with the REPUBLICAN PARTY on this issue. Thank You for taking the time to read this.

Values : Other

(Roman – Chicago, IL) July 30 – 2:21 PM

The platfrom should be against banning anything on a federal level, unless it has overwhelming support of the people. Yes, I’m talking about poker, and alot of people are scoffing that its “just a game”. However, the principle is a big one-respectiving someones rights even though you don’t agree with their behavior. I respect religious conservatives, but I wish they’d take their value fights to the local level. And I’m a life long Republican who is looking seriously at Bob Barr this election.

Values : Other

(Rich – Union, KY) July 30 – 2:18 PM

“People are actually going to choose who you vote for based on whether or not they will allow online gambling? That would be fine if the economy would still be there, and your dollar still worth something. Current economic policies will bankrupt our country.” If the right to play online poker is so unimportant, why is the GOP wasting time and resources advocating a ban that would require banks to do the hard work of enforcing it? Seems you should be concerned as well, as time wasted on this is time not used solving the problems you mentioned.

Values : Other

(James – Cypress, TX) July 30 – 2:17 PM

Protecting Individual Liberties–the Republican Party is the champion of individual liberties. We must support legislation protecting the rights of adult Americans to play poker and other games of skill online. We must reject Nanny State oppression of adult Americans.

Values : Other

(Virgil – North Augusta, SC) July 30 – 2:14 PM

America has always been about individual liberty, freedom, accountability, and responsibility. Yet, Republicans, just like Democrats (two Sides of the same big government, nanny state, and destroyer of individual freedom and liberty) coin are taking these rights away from us and every year it get worse and worse. It is no one’s business if I want to play online poker. It does not fund terrorism as my idiot House rep, Gresham Barret, claims (just do the research, don’t lie like a dog to justify putting a provision to ban online poker in a Homeland Security bill!) And, by the way, I am all for Homeland Security and served a year in Iraq. Republicans, get out of our homes, our bedrooms, our online poker, and our pocket books as you grow government just as much as the Dems, do. Actually, under Bush, the worst preSident we possibly have even had, he made Clinton look like a thrifty individual. One thing the Christian right needs to understand is that regulating morality is no different than what the Taliban did in Afghanistan. They wanted a theocracy and Christian fundamentalists want a theocracy. America is not a theocracy!

Values : Other

(Terry – Corpus Christi, TX) July 30 – 2:05 PM

I am a life long Republician. I hate government policies that restricts my individual right to the pursuit of happiness. My right to play poker (a game of skill not gambling) on the internet is very important to me and many millions of others. Republicans should make this an important platform issue. Please dont make me vote Democrate. It will be my first time in 46 years.

Values : Other

(Robert – Atlanta, GA) July 30 – 1:28 PM

Can you please make a “skills exception” for poker as it relates to the UIEGA. We professional poker players are not criminals. We are republicans that like to play poker. You have out sport in the same category as slot machines. This is not the case!

Values : Other

(Stephen – Seminole, FL) July 30 – 1:11 PM

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GAMBLE ,NO MATTER WHO TRIES TO STOP IT,WITH ALL THE CRIME,GAS AND TRAVEL EXPENSE …WHY NOT LET PEOPLE LEGALLY PLAY IN THE SAFETY OF ONES OWN HOME.???ONLINE POKER PLEASE. STEPHEN C. ZOLLARS SEMINOLE FLORIDA

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 1:09 PM

Internet poker should not be made illegal or hindered with restrictive banking laws. I conSider myself to be a free person and I should be able to interact with other adults on mutually agreeable terms. Restrictions on internet poker are restrictions on my freedom. The Republican party should stand for freedom of individuals.

National Security : Other

(Richard – Brooklyn, NY) July 30 – 12:57 PM

bring online poker back to the U.S.

Values : Other

(Elmer – Oxford, IA) July 30 – 12:48 PM

I THINK I SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY POKER WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT WANT TO PLAY.IT IS AN INVASION OF MY RIGHTS TO NOT ALLOW ME TO.POKER IS A GAME THAT REQUIRES SKILL.IT IS NOT LIKE GAMBLING.I BELIEVE THAT SPORTS GAMBLING SHOULD BE BANNED,BUT NOT POKER.OUR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS HAVE ALREADY TOOK A SIGNIFICANT HIT AND IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE.WHERE DOES IT STOP?LEGALIZE IT AND TAKE YOUR CUT BIT LET US PLAY POKER ONLINE!!!

Values : Other

(Robert – Gainesville, VA) July 30 – 12:45 PM

My parents raised me to be a Democrat. The last Democrat I voted for wsa JFK. Soon after that period of time, I noticed a change in the party and started voting individuals at each election. The antics and lack of maturity of the Clinton years were for me the last intolorable example of the changes. I have voted Republican and now carry a card as a member of the party. I find the Republican Stance on two issues wrong. I cannot believe that an individuals right to engage in online poker games has anything to do with the legislative branch of my government. Nor the Judicial. Nor the Executive. PLEASE help the american people instead of slowly eroding their freedoms. Issue two will be covered under that catagory.

National Security : Other

(Rich – Portland, OR) July 30 – 12:41 PM

Poker is a game of skill. Those of us who enjoy playing but cannot get to a brick and mortar casino have been able to practice our skill online, but recent developments cry out for US regulation, not prohibition. Currently sites are regulated by shady and non transparent commissions and the product of that has been corruption, and cheating of honest, skill-based players. Instead of tacking on riders like the UIGEA at the 11th hour, what we need is a real study about how to regulate security, and more transparency on the financial end so that this cant continue to occur in the future.

Values : Other

(Stephen – Las Vegas, NV) July 30 – 12:31 PM

I’ve been a registered Republican, and a supporter of most “Republican” values, for my entire adult life. With regard to the party platform for 2008, one of my biggest current concerns is the fact that both the 2000 and 2004 platforms contained language opposing any form of internet “gambling.” I take this to mean that the party opposes internet poker, while most people seem to feel that poker is a form of gambling. Poker is a game of skill. It’s history is intertwined with the history of our country. Past PreSidents, Senators, Congressmen and millions of others have enjoyed the game for a good portion of our country’s existence. Banning internet poker eliminates access to the game for many Americans who have no other access to it. There are currently two excellent pieces of legislation before Congress–one sponsored by Rep. Frank and a second by Rep. Wexler–designed to both legalize, and regulate, online poker. It’s my fervent hope that the Republican Party, in it’s 2008 platform, will respect the wishes of millions of Americans that wish to enjoy the game of poker online and support either, or both, of these proposed bills. It is our right as Americans to be able to enjoy the “pursuit of happiness.” Restricting what we can do in our own homes in that pursuit is not a function of government.

Values : Other

(Tom – North Las Vegas, NV) July 30 – 12:29 PM

I have been a Republican all my adult life; however, I am very disappointed in the position the Republican party has taken on internet gambling – expecially Poker. If the platform this election year takes a stand against internet gambling on Poker, I most likely will stay home and not vote in the November election. I strongly believe it is a person’s right to play poker on the internet from the privacy of their home. If the Republican platform takes a stand to allow internet gambling on Poker, I will once again vote Rebublican and make a donation to the cause.

Values : Other

(Steve – Acworth, GA) July 30 – 12:27 PM

To not allow Internet Poker is the most hypercritical decision made on the part of our lawmakers. What makes me boil is the fact that most states encourage out and out gambling by legal lotteries, that in itself is the purest form of gambling with so little chance of winning. Poker, as I’m sure you have watched on TV is NOT Gambling, it is truly a game of skill, and one of the most played American recreations,even our fore fathers, and framers of the Constitution indulged in it.Please reverse this bad decision and allow us our freedom to choose our own recreation activities.

Values : Other

(Gordon – Orange, CA) July 30 – 12:20 PM

You lose my support when you tell me I’m a crimunal for playing online poker. I have already abandoned my local congressman and I am about to abandon the party too. Please wake up. TY

Values : Other

(Matthew – Wesley Chapel, FL) July 30 – 12:07 PM

I have supported and voted for the Republican Party for my entire adult life, but I now find my views changing. My main issue of contention is the GOP stance on internet gambling. Past platforms have been against internet gambling, and I simply do not agree with this. I think that to deny people the right to do what they want with their time and money is fundamentally wrong, to the core. I thought that the Republican Party would support my fundamental rights as a citizen, as is evident with supporting the right to keep and bear arms, but I am starting to see otherwise. I am extremely discouraged at the thought of any modern democracy trying to tell people that they can not pursue, what is for most, a form of recreation! I know that sometimes people get themselves in trouble with gambling, but there are ways to help and prevent this. Also, people get themselves in trouble with all kinds of things that most people would never dream of banning. People eat too much, buy things they can’t afford, watch too much tv, and even get addicted to such things as text messaging. Are we to ban restaurants, shopping malls, cable tv, and cell phones to keep people out of trouble? Of course not. Banning internet gambling is just as absurd. Finally, I believe that having a ban on internet gambling, especially with regard to skill games such as poker, goes against “inalienable rights” outlined in the Declaration of Independence. Many Americans use skill games, such as poker, not only for recreation, but as a vocation. To tell a man that he may not make a living from his skill at the poker table (whether live or online) directly violates his rights in “the pursuit of happiness.” I simply will not continue to support a party that so staunchly opposes mine and others freedoms like this. I hope that the Republican Party can see the errors in past veiws on this issue, and change them to support basic freedoms.

Economy : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 12:04 PM

make online poker legal. tax and regulate it, creating another source of painless income.

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 11:57 AM

I am an avid supporter of a national past time and game of skill, namely poker. I and many other players would like to see the Republican party support the ability to play poker online via the internet. I believe it is a game of skill and should be allowed and regulated by the federal government. There are over a million members of the Poker Players Alliance who support this position.

Values : Other

(Robert – Richmond, CA) July 30 – 11:50 AM

I would like to see the Republican party support on-line poker and remove it from internet gambling. Poker is a game of skill and not chance. If it is legalized it can be monitored and subject to regulation.

Values : Other

(Sean – Ashland, VA) July 30 – 11:37 AM

RPC- My name is Sean Patrick Kennedy and I am a member of the Poker Players Alliance and a strong defender of the right for Americans to keep their freedoms, including the right to play poker in the safety of their homes. I am upset that more and more freedoms have come under attack in this country. We are creating a ”nanny state” where politicians are trying to install morals and ethical standards into federal laws. I believe that by supporting online poker, it is another example of why true Americans, citizens who believe in our rights to maintain and exercise freedoms, will not go quietly when our freedoms come under attack. Whether one plays poker or not, we have a right to choose how we spend our leisure time, without government intrusion, as long as we are not hurting others. Once again, this issue has little to do with who plays poker (a true American institution), and more to do with how our freedoms are continuously under attack by people who place their own opinions and mores over the very freedoms that we are entitled to as Americans. This is a critical time to conSider what defines us as Americans. The word ‘freedom’ is the cornerstone of that definition. Thanks for your time. Sean Patrick Kennedy PPA Member

Values : Other

(Daniel – Twentynine Palms, CA) July 30 – 11:34 AM

There is nothing more american than Poker. It is estimated that more than 70 million Americans play poker in their homes, in casinos and card rooms and on the internet each year. Richard Nixon funded his first congressional race from his WWII Poker winnings. I financed my first sports car with Army payday poker games in the barracks in 1975. I have been a loyal Republican since my days at the US Military Academy Preparatory School in 1976. As an ROTC, cadet until my graduation and comminssioning in 1980, I was a member of Young Republicans. The party should get behind efforts to legalize, not criminalize, Internet Poker. Regulate online casinos, don’t abolish them, Bring the revenue from online poker into the tax coffers, as you do with casino profits. There are concerted effprts by the other Side to take this issue to the people in ’08, we should be there first, with a strong message of support for regulated, taxed and monitored Internet Gaming and an appeal of an ineffectual, unenforceable and untenable UGIEA. Thank You for your time, Daniel Cox Editor, Poker InSider Magazine/Gaming Review Digest GO McCAIN!!!!

Values : Flag Protection

(Dave – Georgetown, TX) July 30 – 11:34 AM

Please change the GOP position of outlawing all internet gambling. Poker is a game of skill where all players have an equal chance to win unlike casino games where the odds dictate that no player can win consistently. Yes, the house takes a cut, but it’s a small price to pay for the ability to find a game to play in at any time day or night in the comfort of your own home. The US if giving up Billions of dollars in revenue by not allowing poker over the internet and taxing it.

Values : Other

(Doug – Wimberley, TX) July 30 – 11:14 AM

I enjoy playing on-line poker, usually play money, but sometimes low stakes games and tourneys. I don’t think there is any difference between this and playing the lottery – in fact, internet poker is probably better.

Values : Other

(John – St. Petersburg, FL) July 30 – 10:56 AM

I support legalized internet poker. Do not confuse poker with other forms of online gambling. Poker is unique becasue it is a game of skill. Please add legalized taxable internet poker to the platform.

Values : Other

(Marion – Greenville, MS) July 30 – 10:56 AM

I am a long time supporter of conservative views. I support the right of mature adult citizens to continue my freedoms to exercise free choice in how I spend my time and recreational moneys. I support the right to participate in and play poker. I object to the reduction in my personal freedoms so someone can push his/her morale agenda. My country asked me to participate in the struggle to protect our freedoms so I became a part of the military service and fought in Viet Nam and was honorably discharged. I worked hard to earn my money. I’ve not been convicted of any crimes nor been declared incompetent. Why are the few pushing so hard to reduce the freedoms of so many adults who want to play poker. It’s a game many PreSidents excelled at. Now you say that you think “internet poker” is bad. What’s so bad when I do something just because it’s on the internet. If individuals don’t want to participate in poker, I have no objections to their personal choice. By the same logical reasoning, they should not be able to imped my choice to participate in the internet poker experience.

Values : Other

(Robert – Wakefield, MA) July 30 – 10:52 AM

As a lifelong republican, I would like to see a move away from government intrusion into the lives of private individuals. Most important to me personally is legalization of gambling, including over the internet – especially games of skill such as Poker.

Values : Other

(John T. – Massapequa, NY) July 30 – 10:48 AM

THE RIGHT TO PLAY POKER… Whether it be in person, or internet based, the sport of Poker is one as American as Apple Pie, Baseball and Sunday Bar-b-Ques. I am 100% in favor of removing the ban on Internet Poker Play and support those who support my beliefs. I feel that state or federal regulations that prohibit this sport only cause bad things to happen. I feel the governement would be better served regulating, taxing and monitoring this sport just as any other. If its good enough to be on ESPN everyday, it is good enough for me. PLEASE PROTECT OUR AMERICAN VALUES, including the RIGHT TO PLAY SPORTS AND GAMES that are truely part of our heritage.

Values : Other

(Paul – Tenafly, NJ) July 30 – 10:44 AM

While this subject may not normally being conSidered “protecting American values” in reality it is one of the most important: Please change the platform in 2008 to reflect Americans right to play poker as many of our American PreSidents have enjoyed in our celebrated past. Not only is poker a game of skill as provided for by the IRS and the judicial ruling associated with that famous Billy Baxter case, BUT TAXING online poker would offset many of our growing expenditures for our other necessary means of protecting American values! I am a registered Republican for whom this platform issue is extraordinarily important! Thank you. Paul Spitzberg Tenafly, NJ

Values : Other

(Bob – Omaha, NE) July 30 – 10:42 AM

I play poker on the Internet. I do NOT want the government telling me that I cannot play poker on the Internet. There is no difference in kind between gaming on the Internet and gaming at a casino.

Values : Other

(Ryan – Columbus, OH) July 30 – 10:38 AM

I am a 30yr old husband and father of 6. I have been raised as a conservative. I have stood by the GOP party for all the elections I have been a part of for the past 12 yrs. I cant for the life of me understand why the “conservatives” would try to take away my right to play poker from my home. UIGEA just seems like an issue that democrats would support. Limiting freedom doesnt seem like a GOP issue. We have poker in cardrooms throughout this country. I like to play from my home. I have never been to a casino. To take this right away from us is rediculous. If it is an issue of morals, then this doesnt hold up either. I think someone who spends thousands a year on a golf membership is wasting money, but it is not for me to try and make it illegal. If that is how they chose to spend the money they work for, that is their right. They earned it. I have also used poker to supplement my income. In this time of economic uncertinty, and with the rising cost of fuel, I have made all the cutbacks I can make. I am in remodeling, and it is rather slow right now. To provide for my family I have used poker to help. To take this away would directly affect my family. I have kept my house because of poker. My wife and I have dicussed leaving the country if I do not have access to online poker. Please keep our freedom at the top of your priority list.

Values : Other

(Brian – Dallas, TX) July 30 – 10:33 AM

The right of Americans to conduct activities that affect only themselves, in the privacy of their own homes, shall not be infringed upon. This includes participation in games of skill such as poker, conducted both live and online. The Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act must be repealed.

Values : Other

(Stuart – North Potomac, MD) July 30 – 10:24 AM

As an avid poker player and conservative I do not understand why the UIGEA was passed. I believe in individual freedom and smaller less intrusive government and thus if individuals want to gamble or play poker online that is their inherent right.

Values : Other

(Jackie – Knoxville, TN) July 30 – 10:18 AM

Please fix the Internet Poker problem. Make it legal and regulate it!

Values : Other

(Bianca – Saint Augustine, FL) July 30 – 10:18 AM

We as Americans should have the power to make our own decisions, if we can vote, we can play the lottery, and we can gamble at casinos…why can we not do it from the comfort of our own homes? Think about the typical gaming room (poker machine) players and those at a casino, are usually drinking while doing so. In all actuality this could keep the drinking and driving aspect of things down as well. We work for our own money, it is our decision as to what we want to do with it. To link online poker to pornography is simply ludicrous, and another way we as American citizens are losing more of our freedoms, soon enough it will be better to live in a Foreign Country than in our own…think about it. People from all walks of life and places around the world are allowed to spend their money friendly, yet we are the “land of the free and the home of the brave” and we cannot do exactly that.

Values : Other

(Jay – Nashville, TN) July 30 – 10:18 AM

I submit that online Poker be legalized & taxed for the benefit our great country.

Economy : Tax Relief

(Tom – Tujunga, CA) July 30 – 10:15 AM

Please alter the ban on internet gambling so that poker can be played legally based in the U.S. The current legislation has not stopped gambling (poker), but has only driven potential revenue off-shore and deprived U.S. citizens of the benefits from this corporate bonanza.

Economy : Technology Policy

(Michael – Ann Arbor, MI) July 30 – 10:15 AM

Define poker as a game of skill to protect it from gambling laws.

Values : Other

(Rome – Cumming, GA) July 30 – 10:14 AM

Legalize internet Poker.

Values : Other

(Andy – Palatine, IL) July 29 – 8:36 AM

I am a Republican. I am a poker player. Why does the Republican party insist on making me choose only one of the two? If it does not reverse it’s policy on UIEGA and stopping poker players from playing on the internet, i will be leaving the party. It is my life, my money, my home, my time, and my right to play poker on the internet if i choose to. This issue in particular will strongly determine how i vote in any and all coming elections. I cannot be a part of a party that insists on taking away my individual freedoms. There is much more to freedom than being able to choose my occupation. It’s sad to see that America is no longer the land of the free, but now a place where bureaucrats dictate from Washington how the rest of us should live our lives. A truly free man will never accept this from his government. I shall be removing myself from the Republican part if this behavior continues from our elected officials.

Values : Other

(Aaron – Staunton, VA) July 27 – 8:48 PM

Repeal the UIGEA or otherwise carve out a clear exemption for online poker so that it can be taxed and regulated. There is no sense in a “nanny state” telling us we cannot wager money playing a classic American game of skill online. Furthermore, regulation will make it easier to ensure security for players, prevent underage gambling, and bring a great deal of new tax revenue. I love the Republican ideals of small government and personal freedoms, but over the last decade these ideals have been discarded in favor of the Christian Right’s agenda of legislating a specific and narrow morality that in many cases makes government larger and limits our personal freedoms. Let us end this prohibition which is proving to be as effective the ban on alcohol was.

Values : Other

(Joseph – Ashburnham, MA) July 21 – 11:20 PM

I was a Republican from right out of college due to it’s small government philosophy. In the past 8 years, the party deserted me and started pandering to the “Christian Conservatives” and legislating morality. Small government was abandoned and they passed the UIGEA bill to attempt to restrict online gaming, including poker. I grew to love poker while I was going through cancer treatments and was unable to leave the house due to fatigue and weakened immune system. A game that was legal in card rooms across the country, my party no longer wanted me to be able to play because I couldn’t make the hour trip due to my illness. That was the last straw and I remain disgusted today. Please get back to “small government”!

Economy : Other

(Jim – Smyrna, SC) July 15 – 1:42 PM

Repeal the UIGEA or otherwise carve out a clear exemption for online poker so that it can be taxed and regulated. There is no sense in a “nanny state” telling us we cannot wager money playing a classic American game of skill online. Furthermore, regulation will make it easier to ensure security for players, prevent underage gambling, and bring a great deal of new tax revenue.

Values : Other

(Jeremiah – Wilkes-Barre, PA) July 14 – 7:52 PM

1) I play poker on the internet. I will continue to play poker on the internet. This is done in my home, that I own and paid for, on my computer that | paid for, using my funds that I worked for, using my time that is God’s gift, not thr gift of the government. 2) I have voted Rep, in eight out of the last nine presendential elections. My record for the house and senate races at least as Rep.. 3) I will vote strictly for supporters of HR 5657 and oponents of UIGEA. Other issues wil not be conSidered. 4) If position on HR5657 and UIGEA is unknown, than members of Bacchus party will not recieve my vote., unless the Rep. platform includes strong opposition to UIGEA and strong suppport for HR5657. Then Republician with no known record on HR5657 and UIGEA will be conSidered. God Bless and Long Life Barney Franks and Ron Paul Jeremiah Connell

Economy : Technology Policy

(Rich – Union, KY) July 13 – 5:10 AM

The GOP pandered to big government social conservatives in pushing through federal legislation that deputized banks to serve as the online poker police. Banks don’t wish to perform this function, so they went to Congress for relief at least on defining what laws they were to enforce. The GOP rebuffed their request in the HR 5767 King Amendment vote, which lost on a party-line vote. The last two platforms have advocated this federal interference into the homes of Americans. I strongly recommend leaving this big government stuff nanny-state out of this upcoming platform. Tell Focus on the Family to stop fearing freedom.

Values : Other

(Rich – Union, KY) July 12 – 8:12 PM

Rather than respecting our freedoms as Americans, the GOP has continually pandered to anti-poker extremists who want big government to censor our Internet access and dictate to everyone else what they may do in their own homes. Congress also deputized banks to police this – as if banks are the nation’s new morality police. Leading conservatives including Grover Norquist, George Will, Ron Paul, Walter Williams, and many others have joined in speaking against this. Sen. Al D’Amato (R-NY) even joined the Poker Players Alliance as Chairman to stand up for liberty. I believe the new platform should favor liberty over big government prohibitions and censorship. Please do not advocate federal online gaming prohibitions in this platform.

Values : Other

(Michael – Latham, NY) July 31 – 9:50 AM

I support Internet gambling, for fun and/or money. I say this because if you outlaw internet gambling all the “for fun” sites would die. There are millions of people who play for fun and this should not be taken away from them. Those people who choose to play for money have every right to do so and by making it illegal they would certainly find other ways to continue, however probably not in the safety of their homes. Please do not add any anti-internet gambling ideas to the platform issues. Thank-you

Values : Other

(Tim – Dexter, MI) July 30 – 9:48 PM

I have never been a single issue voter but if the Republican Party continues its opposition to the regulation of online gambling, I will vote for someone other than Senator McCain. Clearly regulation and taxation is the correct position on this issue. A head in the sand, prohibition is not working and quite frankly is denying me something I really enjoy, which harms no one and allows me to make me own decisions of how to spend my leisure time and my leisure money. The Republican Party has always been for getting the government off of our backs, it should do that again on this issue. Regulation not Prohibition.

Economy : Other

(Andrew – Sunrise, FL) July 30 – 9:12 PM

What is all this about lets have legalized internet gambling so we can tax it? are you kidding me? This is what is wrong with the neo-republican party. Gambling is consenting adults wagering on games. Why are we so quick to tax it? Bottom line, legalize gambling, don’t regulate it, don’t tax it.

Economy : Other

(Carol – Alvarado, TX) July 30 – 5:38 PM

I am strongly in favor of legalized internet gambling. It was a sham the way the internet gambling legislation was back-doored in previously. You should be ashamed to pull that sort of thing on your constituents. It has severely affected the lives and income, as well as the enjoyment of a simple fun pastime, for millions of Americans. This must be corrected. If the Republican party truly stands for self-responsibility, then quit being a part of legislation that places government squarely over the wishes of the individual. Please don’t legislate for the lowest common denonimator and feel that you must be the protector. Let people make their own decision as to whether they wish to gamble on the Internet. Sincerely, Carol Buchanan, DVM

Values : Other

(Michael – Batavia, OH) July 30 – 3:54 PM

Please Overturn the Ban on internet gambling. My vote and support will depend on it. I did not like at all the sneaky way it was passed in the house attached to the port security bill. no debate at all Shameful!! Fix this now and you get my vote.

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 3:21 PM

In October of 2006 George Bush signed the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act. This law prohibited banks from processing transactions to offshore gambling websites. The law was vague, and wasn’t clear. It is hard for many banks to enforce this law because it is not clear what unlawful internet gaming is. It was another attempt by the federal government to regulate and censor the internet. All over the world, countries are regulating and taxing internet gambling. America is the only modern country that has taken a prohibition stance. It still doesn’t make any sense to me that in most states in this country you can gamble at a land based casino, but cannot do so from the privacy of you’re own home on the computer. Prohibition within the privacy of you’re own home doesn’t work. We have learned this from the 1920′s with alcohol. The democrats are already making smart decisions by fighting from internet gaming reform. Why aren’t the republicans?

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 12:52 PM

People are actually going to choose who you vote for based on whether or not they will allow online gambling? That would be fine if the economy would still be there, and your dollar still worth something. Current economic policies will bankrupt our country.

Values : Other

(Elmer – Oxford, IA) July 30 – 12:48 PM

I THINK I SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY POKER WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT WANT TO PLAY.IT IS AN INVASION OF MY RIGHTS TO NOT ALLOW ME TO.POKER IS A GAME THAT REQUIRES SKILL.IT IS NOT LIKE GAMBLING.I BELIEVE THAT SPORTS GAMBLING SHOULD BE BANNED,BUT NOT POKER.OUR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS HAVE ALREADY TOOK A SIGNIFICANT HIT AND IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE.WHERE DOES IT STOP?LEGALIZE IT AND TAKE YOUR CUT BIT LET US PLAY POKER ONLINE!!!

Values : Other

(Arthur – Point Roberts, WA) July 30 – 12:38 PM

In the two previous general elections the GOP had a plank that stated that the party was in favor of making all gambling on the Internet a Federal crime. If such a plank is included this year I shall vote for every Democrat running against any Republican (unless he or she states opposition to this plank) and work asSiduously to persuade others to do likewise. Didn’t the GOP used to be the party that supported individual rights and freedoms? Didn’t it used to be the party that condemned paternalism and government control over the lives of its citizens? Isn’t it the party that once railed against Democrats for wishing to manage the way people thought and for acting to restrict freedoms? Isn’t the ridiculous UIGEA enough of an embarassment to the party? Not to mention the unseemly manner in which it was passed. And, for what it’s worth, I do not and never have gambled online. This is an in principle position that I take. Arthur S. Reber, Ph.D.

Values : Other

(Steve – Acworth, GA) July 30 – 12:27 PM

To not allow Internet Poker is the most hypercritical decision made on the part of our lawmakers. What makes me boil is the fact that most states encourage out and out gambling by legal lotteries, that in itself is the purest form of gambling with so little chance of winning. Poker, as I’m sure you have watched on TV is NOT Gambling, it is truly a game of skill, and one of the most played American recreations,even our fore fathers, and framers of the Constitution indulged in it.Please reverse this bad decision and allow us our freedom to choose our own recreation activities.

Values : Other

(Jesse – Richmond, VA) July 30 – 12:21 PM

I encourage you to stop limiting our freedoms, and to allow legislated online gambling. Americans should have the right to do what they like with their free time, within reason.

Values : Other

(Al – Henderson, NV) July 30 – 11:46 AM

The Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. A very important phrase that is under attack by those who would ban online gambling. Those people would take away My Liberty and My Happiness, and that of millions of others, that comes when gambling online. I can understand the need to protect people from the dangers of gambling. But, the important issue is how to do that without trampling on My Liberty and My Happiness. Legalize but regulate online gambling. Permit online gambling, but discourage it use like what is done with the consumption of alcohol and smoking.

Values : Other

(Robert – Wakefield, MA) July 30 – 10:52 AM

As a lifelong republican, I would like to see a move away from government intrusion into the lives of private individuals. Most important to me personally is legalization of gambling, including over the internet – especially games of skill such as Poker.

Values : Other

(Sally – St. George, UT) July 30 – 10:33 AM

Please repeal the prohibition on online gambling that was previously enacted. The rest of the world is allowed this pleasure. It is up to individuals to act responsibly.

Values : Other

(Phillip – Halstad, MN) July 24 – 12:24 PM

In 2006 the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed with the backing of the republican party. As the party which is supposed to be “less government” why do you feel the need to protect me from myself with the regards to internet gambling? As long as the republican party feels the need to hold my hand on what I do on the internet I’ll be voting democrat.

Economy : Technology Policy

(Anonymous) July 30 – 8:00 PM

I have been a registered Republican for 10 years, as long as I have been able to vote. The GOP will be lucky to get my vote in the future as the party I thought was for smaller government continues big government spending and regulating morality. I have directly been affected by the passing of the UIGEA and encourage the party to repel this and other laws infringing on our personal liberties. In addition to giving your voters the ability to spend their money how they choose, you will help to make it safer for them as well as bring in BILLIONS in tax revenue.

Values : Other

(Guy – Phoenix, AZ) July 30 – 2:06 PM

This is more of a meta-issue. We have an opportunity in 2008 to take the party back from the crooks, hypocrites and power hungry miscreants who have hijacked it in recent cycles. What chance does John McCain have with constant “perp walks” of people like Ted Stevens reminding America how low we’ve sunk. A fine example of this is the patently foolish UIGEA. Having a single powerful Member attach it to a port security bill in the dead of night is an embarrassing mockery of the legislative process. And diluting whatever moral imperative it might have had with carve-outs for horse racing and lotteries was shameful. The larger issue, though, is our values. When did the Republican party become the party of the nanny state? How far into people’s personal lives do we want government to intrude? The 2008 platform should make it clear we value both personal responsibility and personal freedom. They’re a package deal.

Values : Other

(Anonymous) July 30 – 10:29 AM

We need to support bills like HR 5767, the Wexler Skill Games act, and repeal the UIGEA. The UIGEA did nothing but add a burden to our society and expand governmental control. We need less government NOT more. The fact this bill was passed the way it was shows what cowards were leading the effort in the republican party at that time. Now is the time to correct this cowardice act and get government out of the Internet. If we are not going to reduce government interference and growth we are not needed as a party.

Economy : Other

(Anonymous) July 22 – 10:32 AM

Regulate and Tax online gaming like everyone other country on earth is doing. Support HR 5767, The Wexler Skill Games act, & repeal the UIGEA.

Values : Other

(Stephen – Madison, GA) July 13 – 2:53 AM

We need to support bills like HR 5767, the Wexler Skill Games act, and repeal the UIGEA. The UIGEA did nothing but add a burden to our society and expand governmental control in a way that would make our forefathers puke. It was also pushed forward by dishonest representatives like Spencer Bachus who misrepresented the Annenburg study, and flat out lied to Congress regarding the McGill study when he said “1/3 of College students who play games on the internet attempt suicide”. It was such an aggregious lie that the Executive Director of the McGill Institute, Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky called Bachus’ comments “ludicrous”, in a letter sent to Rep Bachus and some of his colleagues. We need less government, less blatantly dishonest representation, and more freedom play simple games in the privacy of our own homes. If I wanted someone to legislate the way I have to spend my recreational time in the privacy of my own home, I would vote Democrat.

Economy : Technology Policy

(Anthony – New Carlisle, OH) July 12 – 11:24 PM

Repeal the UIGEA Support HR 5767

One Response to “Poker Players Tell the GOP to Keep Their Hands Off the Internet”

1. TheEngineer’s Blog » Blog Archive » Hey GOP: It’s Time to Focus on the Future Says:
   September 6th, 2009 at 9:57 am

   [...] players and freedom lovers submitted hundreds of comments to the GOP Platform Committee asking them to support Internet freedom.  As the Poker Players [...]

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