Writing to a Utah congressmen--is it a lost cause???

jlkrusty · #1 10-10-2007, 04:12 PM

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.

Mr Sarcastic · #2 10-10-2007, 07:31 PM

No, by all means do so.

The LDS are open to letters contrary to 100+ years of express doctrine, especially where it would compete with the Church for their members' earnings and wealth.

In Nevada, the LDS Church allows Mormons to work in gambling halls, just like it allows them to serve booze.

Probably has "something" to do with that "tithing" thing he talks about in the same breath as to why gambling is bad.
(Gambling not only is a sin, it is not as reliable as tithing to get the Church its cut of members' wealth. these guys are great businessmen.)

What does Mitt Romney have to say on the topic ?

jlkrusty · #3 10-11-2007, 01:03 AM

From your response (and the lack of others), I take it that most agree it would be fairly pointless to write my congressmen.

I'll still wait to see if anyone else responds. I'll also continue to think of a slant that might be persuasive to them. But, I'm not holding my breath.

TheEngineer · #4 10-11-2007, 01:11 AM

[ QUOTE ]
From your response (and the lack of others), I take it that most agree it would be fairly pointless to write my congressmen.

I'll still wait to see if anyone else responds. I'll also continue to think of a slant that might be persuasive to them. But, I'm not holding my breath.

[/ QUOTE ]

There is no magic letter that will change anyone's mind on anything. Fortunately, our letters aren't intended to win debates. We're not trying to convince anyone of the correctness of our position. Rather, we're trying to convince them that WE, their constituents, believe what we believe.

You should write. These guys may not vote for us, but they nay not be so eager to use Internet poker as a risk-free play for the social conservative vote. And they may not be eager to add a prohibition of Internet gaming to the next Republican Party platform, either.

Besides, how hard is it to write? Just go to http://activate.pokerplayersalliance.org and send it. You can send two in less than two minutes. We'll have a new letter up (jointly written by us and PPA) next week. Send that one too. Three letters in three minutes.