my letter to RNC chairman Mehlman

[antneye]

heres my letter. I made sure to mention I was sutting off all future donations.

Ken,

I am a registered Republican and party loyalist who is being pushed away by what I view as a shift away from our core conservative values. I have always been drawn to the Republican party as the party that stood for smaller government, free enterprise, and the personal accountability of all citizens for their daily life. Republicans have always felt that people, not government, are best suited to decide for themselves how to live their lives.

Recent actions by the Republican lead Congress have shown just how far off of this course we have strayed. Driven by the zeal of the extreme religious right, Senator Frist took it upon himself to attach legislation that would not pass on its own merits to the Port Security Bill. Senator Frist, in order to secure the support of the Christian coalition, ignored the principles of our party when he tinkered with critical security measures to force upon the American public a ban on online gaming. Instead of looking at this growing industry as a future source of tax revenue for our Government, Senator Frist chose to impose the morals of a few on the entire populace America. What further disturbs me is that Senator Frist used morals and protection of the citizens as an argument for his actions, yet chose to create exceptions for Horse racing and state lotteries. I guess Poker companies didn't donate as much to him as the OTB did.

This action by our Republican leadership has forced me to make a decision I never thought possible. Until I see evidence that the Republican party has returned to its roots I will no longer be donating any money to the Republican Party, and will be casting my vote with the Democratic party in future elections.

I think you would be shocked to discover how many mainstream, conservative Republicans share my outrage over this issue and are lost to you as a constituency. If the Republican party is interested in re-securing my support, and the support of millions of Americans you will initiate action to undo this atrocious assault on personal freedom and work toward a model that regulates and taxes this growing worldwide industry.

Sincerely,

(name excluded from forum post, but included in letter)

[ihardlyknowher]

[ QUOTE ]
Since when are we the party that uses the brute force of government to control people’s day to day lives and decisions.

[/ QUOTE ]

Um, since always.

[slick123]

"Government isn't the answer to the problem; Government is the problem". Ronald Reagan

[jupiterpig]

"I am very upset at the recent push by the Republicans in the Senate, especially Bill Frist of Tenn., and his backdoor tactics to add the Internet Gambling Act to a bill that everyone knew would be passed. I dont see a reason why this issue could not be debated on the floor as opposed to being "christmas treed" onto another bill of greater importance. Had this issue been debated and won in a vote alone then things would be different but this is not how the extreme Right of our party decided to act. I have let my senators know of my disapointment and would like to also let you know as well. The answer to this issue would be regualtion and taxation, but that would be too much work for our Senators that have monthly vacations, obviously. I hope that in the future our party takes more steps to look into important legislation that effects the lives of possibly millions of people and overseas business and gives the time to the bill that it deserves as opposed to just attaching it to a bill that actually means something and will obviously be passed. Thanks for your time. "

[oday28]

I am so disappointed in the direction our country has taken since you have taken office. I started out feeling so good when you were first elected into office, only to be disappointed time and time again. I have to say this latest bill that has been allowed to pass has really been the biggest shocker. The methods were bad enough but to bypass the real issue, (port security), simply outrages myself along with many of my fellow Americans. To think of the tremendous amount of tax dollars that online gaming could have added to our country's budget. Where are our priorities? What happened to the freedom that our country is supposed to be so famous for? More and more our freedom has been whittled away. I remember when I was a small girl in grade school and we were taught about the famous "iron wall" in another country, about how that other country were allowed absolutely "no freedom". They were completely controlled and ruled. That is the direction I see our country taking. It will be a very sad day in America when you sign that bill. They call us the "nanny state". How so very true that has become.
It is of this writers opinion, and I am sure I am not alone, that every single person who were involved with implementing this bill should be terminated from there respective positions as employees of our people. I believe you, President Bush, should be just as outraged as the rest of us, but my very serious concern is that you are not.

[CanIPlayII]

I have always voted straight Republican and I am 47 years old.
I will no longer do this since the passage of the ban on Online Gambling.
I am an adult if I want to play Poker in the comfort of my house, I do not need Big Brother telling me what I can and cannot do. I make $100,000 a year, are you going to come imprison me, which costs $40,000 a year, then my family on Welfare for $20,000 a year. That is $160,000 dollars of productivity lost.
I am voting for Kinky Freidman in the Texas Governor's race because he does support Legalizing Gambling.

xxxx xxxxxx- A former Republican!!!

[brett712]

I think I will write them to tell them how much my life will be better spending all my time in a smoke filled casino playing at limits I can't really afford and wasting more money on food and gas. I can't wait to see the benefits this also has on my relationship with my girlfriend when I'm never home anymore as well. Boy I sure am glad they are busy working at improving families lives.

I can't wait for the first story to appear on the news that a terrorist attack on a major US port was foiled because the terroist were unable to deposit money on party poker.

[fnord_too]

As possibly suggested by others, saying that your campaign contributions are now going to the other side, or that you are going to be an active volunteer in the other sides campaign, may add weight.

OP, nice letter. I like it a lot.