Jayber55
07-12-2006, 11:55 AM
Dear Peter,
This is a "shoe drop" letter. However, I really do love your work and urge you to keep it up. Now for the shoe.
Please rethink your position on HB4411, the "Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act."
Hundreds of thousands of healthy, law abiding Americans enjoy poker not only as entertainment, but for its stimulating mental challenges as well. I am one of them. Sure, there are some problem gamblers, but there are scores more problem drinkers. The alcohol industry destroys many more families than a gambling game of skill will ever approach, yet I don’t see anyone rushing to resume prohibition on alcohol. Trying to stop law abiding citizens from playing a game of online poker is hypocritical, in my opinion, and it infringes on my personal freedom.
I am aware that your have supported the state lottery in the past. Why the problem with people who want to play cards without having to drive long distances to some smokey Indian casino or seedy card room? Stduying poker and playing from the comfort of my own home is as important to me as any other person's hobby. I have a friend who spends thousands of dollars each year collecting junk at yard sales to litter his house and yard with. It's an admitted obsession. Poker is not an obsession with me, nor is it for thousands of others. It's a challenging, fascinating game of skill, and I feel resentment at having it singled out as some sin the society simply cannot tollerate.
Other hypocrisies are glaring, such as the free pass to online horse wagering. If you feel gambling is such a big problem, then why is the horse industry left alone, not to mention the Oregon state lottery, the most regressive tax of all? Poor people line up all day long at thier local Dairy Mart and give their dollars away with as close to zero odds of winning as can be imagined. Now that's the sickness that ought to be stopped.
Please give this some considered thought. I look forward to your reply. And again, thanks for your service. We're all in your debt.
This is a "shoe drop" letter. However, I really do love your work and urge you to keep it up. Now for the shoe.
Please rethink your position on HB4411, the "Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act."
Hundreds of thousands of healthy, law abiding Americans enjoy poker not only as entertainment, but for its stimulating mental challenges as well. I am one of them. Sure, there are some problem gamblers, but there are scores more problem drinkers. The alcohol industry destroys many more families than a gambling game of skill will ever approach, yet I don’t see anyone rushing to resume prohibition on alcohol. Trying to stop law abiding citizens from playing a game of online poker is hypocritical, in my opinion, and it infringes on my personal freedom.
I am aware that your have supported the state lottery in the past. Why the problem with people who want to play cards without having to drive long distances to some smokey Indian casino or seedy card room? Stduying poker and playing from the comfort of my own home is as important to me as any other person's hobby. I have a friend who spends thousands of dollars each year collecting junk at yard sales to litter his house and yard with. It's an admitted obsession. Poker is not an obsession with me, nor is it for thousands of others. It's a challenging, fascinating game of skill, and I feel resentment at having it singled out as some sin the society simply cannot tollerate.
Other hypocrisies are glaring, such as the free pass to online horse wagering. If you feel gambling is such a big problem, then why is the horse industry left alone, not to mention the Oregon state lottery, the most regressive tax of all? Poor people line up all day long at thier local Dairy Mart and give their dollars away with as close to zero odds of winning as can be imagined. Now that's the sickness that ought to be stopped.
Please give this some considered thought. I look forward to your reply. And again, thanks for your service. We're all in your debt.