Right before the passage of the UIGEA, I emailed my Utah Congressmen expressing my opposition to the UIGEA. However, I felt my emails fell on deaf ears.
Maybe you guys have some ideas on how to persuade Utah Congressmen towards our cause. Here's what I'm up against:
1. I believe only two states have no in-state gambling: Utah and Hawaii.
2. One of the main reasons Utah has no in-state gambling is because the predominant religion in Utah (Latter-Day Saints; i.e., Mormons) is against gambling.
3. Even if the congressmen are not Mormon, they know that most of their constituents are. Thus, in 2006, politicians have regularly run adds boasting at how they have helped keep gambling out of Utah. I'm sure any of them would love to boast at how they helped keep internet gambling out of Utah.
4. In 2005, the president of the Mormon church gave this talk, which Mormons frequently quote and which I believe all Utah politicians have also read:
Mormon President says poker is bad
This talk directly caused many Mormons to stop playing poker altogether. In fact, the linked-to talk above is probably the #1 reason I believe Utah congressmen will not be supportive of any effort to allow online poker. I realize there is supposed to be a separation of church and state, but obviously that doesn't always happen.
5. If legislation is passed that allows states to opt out of allowing online poker, I believe Utah will be one of the first states to do so.
Now, I don't want this post to become a Mormon bashing post. I'm sure a lot of you could bash Mormonism, but that is not what this post is for. I'm looking for some serious thoughts on how I can write persuasive arguments to my congressmen. If I bash the Mormon religion to my congressmen, they will just disregard my letter as a "Mormon hater".
Also, please don't write, "just move to another state." I'd love to move to another state, but because of family, that is currently not much of an option for me.
So, what do you guys think? How do I write my congressmen in a persuasive manner? For that matter, how do I talk to Utahans in general about why online poker should be allowed? Any thoughts you guys have are appreciated.