Fight for Online Gaming!! -- Weekly action thread

[TheEngineer]

September 29, 2007

Michael Duncan
Chairman, Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
310 First Street, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003

Dear Chairman Duncan:

Some in our party wish to increase the size and scope of the federal government over the private lives of Americans. For example, there is an ongoing campaign to create a second prohibition – this one on Internet poker (i.e., Prohibition 2.0). Many conservative Republicans, including me, vehemently oppose Prohibition 2.0 and the anti-freedom, draconian big government required to enforce it. It is dangerous for America and potentially disastrous for the Republican Party. I urge our party to cease this crusade against freedom and liberty. I realize the idea of a federal Internet gaming prohibition pushed by some big government “conservative” CINOs may have sounded appealing to some last year, but it surely cannot seem so in the current political environment.

The voters in my home state, and yours, will speak on Nov. 6 with regards to gaming in Kentucky. Our Republican governor, Ernie Fletcher, is running on a campaign of gaming demonization (and little else). It has gotten him nowhere in the polls – despite being the incumbent, he’s down a solid twenty points. His position on gaming has clearly worsened his standing. It is clear from this polling that the good folks of Kentucky do not feel some overpowering need to “protect” their neighbors from having the right to choose to play some cards or a little poker after work. I know I don’t. Where are the anti-gaming marches? Where is the concern? I don’t see it. Given all of Fletcher’s scare tactics, one would expect to see something if anyone here thought gaming was somehow evil or wrong. As there have been none, we obviously see all gaming, whether online, at a bricks-and-mortar casino, or at a racetrack, as simply another valid choice of entertainment. And, it looks like we’ll vote that way. If this is the story in a red state, imagine how things will be nationwide in 2008!

The truth is that anti-gaming nanny-state groups have sold the Republican Party a bill of goods, and this new so-called big government conservatism is hurting our party. Surely you don’t deny that this prohibition has cost the party many votes. We don’t need big government to protect us from ourselves.

If the CINOs in Congress wish to ban gaming simply to protect people from themselves, what’s next? Legislation controlling the menus at fast food restaurants to keep people from becoming obese? Why not? What’s the difference? Philosophically, it’s the same, isn’t it? Protecting our “feeble” citizens from themselves with the power of the big federal government? Big government is big government.

I ask that you take the lead in moving our party away from this advocacy of Internet poker prohibition. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

TheEngineer

[TheEngineer]

Everyone,

As you write, I'd like to ask you to post your letters here to encourage others to write. Thanks.

TE


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Join the fight!: Fight for Online Poker!! Weeks of 9/24 & 10/1

[PLO8FaceKilla]

I wrote to the lady once before but since then i've moved so i did it again

THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DO THIS.

Everyone who goes on this site should be REQUIRED to send 1 letter immediately after logging in.

[TheEngineer]

September 29, 2007

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Reid:

I am writing to ask you to sponsor either HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, or HR 2610, the Skill Game Protection Act in the Senate. HR 2046, introduced to the House by Rep. Barney Frank, will regulate Internet gaming while allowing states the option to opt out. HR 2610, introduced to the House by Rep. Robert Wexler, clarifies federal law to expressly exempt poker and other games of skill from the restrictions passed by Congress last year. Anti-gaming nanny-state groups have sold the Republican Party, and some Democrats, a bill of goods. They have demonized gaming in a manner harmful to the interests of your Nevada constituents.

The voters in my state, Kentucky, will speak on Nov. 6 with regards to gaming. Our Republican governor, Ernie Fletcher, is running on a campaign of gaming demonization and little else. It has gotten him nowhere in the polls – despite being the incumbent, he’s down a solid twenty points. His position on gaming has clearly worsened his standing. It is clear from this polling that the good folks of Kentucky do not feel some overpowering need to “protect” their neighbors from having the right to choose to play some cards or a little poker after work. I know I don’t. There are certainly no anti-gaming marches. Given all of Fletcher’s scare tactics, one would expect to see something if anyone here thought gaming was somehow evil or wrong. As there have been none, we obviously see all gaming, whether online, at a bricks-and-mortar casino, or at a racetrack, as simply another valid choice of entertainment. And, it looks like we’ll vote that way. If this is the story in a red state, imagine how things will be nationwide in 2008! I urge you to be on the right side of this issue.

A national survey by Harris Interactive (June 5-12, 2007) found that sixty-nine percent of the general public agreed that poker is a game of skill. Only seventeen percent disagreed. This is not a partisan issue. There is no reason why the law should treat the Friday night poker game that folks play around their kitchen tables any differently than a poker game that individuals play against others online. Poker is not a crime! Again, please support and sponsor these bills.

Thank you for your consideration.

TheEngineer


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Join the fight!: Fight for Online Poker!! Weeks of 9/24 & 10/1

[TheEngineer]

September 29, 2007

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Office of the Speaker
H-232, US Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congresswoman Pelosi:

I am writing to ask you to cosponsor either HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, or HR 2610, the Skill Game Protection Act. HR 2046, introduced by Rep. Barney Frank, will regulate Internet gaming while allowing states the option to opt out. HR 2610, introduced by Rep. Robert Wexler, clarifies federal law to expressly exempt poker and other games of skill from the restrictions passed by Congress last year. Anti-gaming nanny-state groups have sold the Republican Party, and some Democrats, a bill of goods. Americans do not want another prohibition, and they are speaking up for their rights!

The voters in my state, Kentucky, will speak on Nov. 6 with regards to gaming. Our Republican governor, Ernie Fletcher, is running on a campaign of gaming demonization and little else. It has gotten him nowhere in the polls – despite being the incumbent, he’s down a solid twenty points. His position on gaming has clearly worsened his standing. It is clear from this polling that the good folks of Kentucky do not feel some overpowering need to “protect” their neighbors from having the right to choose to play some cards or a little poker after work. I know I don’t. There are certainly no anti-gaming marches. Given all of Fletcher’s scare tactics, one would expect to see something if anyone here thought gaming was somehow evil or wrong. As there have been none, we obviously see all gaming, whether online, at a bricks-and-mortar casino, or at a racetrack, as simply another valid choice of entertainment. And, it looks like we’ll vote that way. If this is the story in a red state, imagine how things will be nationwide in 2008! I urge you to be on the right side of this issue.

A national survey by Harris Interactive (June 5-12, 2007) found that sixty-nine percent of the general public agreed that poker is a game of skill. Only seventeen percent disagreed. This is not a partisan issue. There is no reason why the law should treat the Friday night poker game that folks play around their kitchen tables any differently than a poker game that individuals play against others online. Poker is not a crime! Again, please support and sponsor these bills.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

TheEngineer


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Join the fight!: Fight for Online Poker!! Weeks of 9/24 & 10/1

[Uglyowl]

Great letter Mr. Engineer, modifying and sending out two letters took less than 10 minutes.

Sent to Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Olver (D-MA). Will follow up with a small donation to Mr. Olver with quick note this week.

Dear Congresswoman Pelosi (or Congressman Olver):

I am writing to ask you to cosponsor either HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, or HR 2610, the Skill Game Protection Act. HR 2046, introduced by Rep. Barney Frank, will regulate Internet gaming while allowing states the option to opt out. HR 2610, introduced by Rep. Robert Wexler, clarifies federal law to expressly exempt poker and other games of skill from the restrictions passed by Congress last year. Anti-gaming nanny-state groups have sold the Republican Party, and some Democrats, a bill of goods. Americans do not want another prohibition, and they are speaking up for their rights!

I feel so strongly about the issue, that I have abandoned the Republican Party and have been and will continue to donate money to help the Democratic Party in close races including the upcoming Kentucky Gubernatorial race despite residing in Massachusetts. The Republican governor, Ernie Fletcher, is running on a campaign of gaming demonization and little else. It has gotten him nowhere in the polls – despite being the incumbent, he’s down a solid twenty points. His position on gaming has clearly worsened his standing. It is clear from this polling that the good folks of Kentucky do not feel some overpowering need to “protect” their neighbors from having the right to choose to play some cards or a little poker after work. I know I don’t. There are certainly no anti-gaming marches. Given all of Fletcher’s scare tactics, one would expect to see something if anyone here thought gaming was somehow evil or wrong. As there have been none, we obviously see all gaming, whether online, at a bricks-and-mortar casino, or at a racetrack, as simply another valid choice of entertainment. And, it looks like we’ll vote that way. If this is the story in a red state, imagine how things will be nationwide in 2008! I urge you to be on the right side of this issue.

A national survey by Harris Interactive (June 5-12, 2007) found that sixty-nine percent of the general public agreed that poker is a game of skill. Only seventeen percent disagreed. This is not a partisan issue. There is no reason why the law should treat the Friday night poker game that folks play around their kitchen tables any differently than a poker game that individuals play against others online. Poker is not a crime! Again, please support and sponsor these bills.

Thank you for your consideration.

-Joseph XXXXX

[TheEngineer]

Thanks for both the compliment and for sending the letters out.

[HelloandGoodby90]

I just wrote to my Rep. and Senators.

I plan to write to the GOP/Democrat leaders in the House and Senate tomorrow. Just to space out my letters and phone calls over a week. More fun that way. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

TE, I really appreciate you doing this. I have ran across more than one poker friend who comes to this thread and follows your action plans.

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
I just wrote to my Rep. and Senators.

I plan to write to the GOP/Democrat leaders in the House and Senate tomorrow. Just to space out my letters and phone calls over a week. More fun that way. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

TE, I really appreciate you doing this. I have ran across more than one poker friend who comes to this thread and follows your action plans.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I'm glad many people are participating.

Everyone,

I just finished items #1, #3 and #4. For action #1, I wrote a letter to McConnell the day I put out the actions, and wrote my last one on Saturday (eight letters total, all sent as snail mail as well as email), plus a couple of phone calls. It took less than two hours total, spread out over a week. I know that's > 10 minutes, but I wanted strong letters to post on the web. And, it took less total time than it takes to watch one NFL game -- a game I no longer have any need to watch.

You all can do it in less time by using letters from here (mine or others), using the PPA letters as a starting point (or by simply using using the PPA automailer), or by writing a quick one-paragraph letter expressing your desire for freedom (these don't have to be pretty...they just have to be written and sent). Thanks! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


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Join the fight!: Fight for Online Poker!! Weeks of 9/24 & 10/1

[TheEngineer]

Fight for Online Poker!! Weeks of 10/8 & 10/15

[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] If you’ve been thinking about writing but haven’t yet, please go to http://activate.pokerplayersalliance.org right now (while it’s fresh on your mind) and send the HR 2046 (IGREA) and HR 2610 (the Wexler bill) letters to your Congressman. It takes less than two minutes! [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]


<font color="brown"> 1. Online public commenting for the proposed UIGEA regulations is now available. Please go to https://pokerplayersalliance.org/new...le.php?DID=293 for instructions on submitting your comment.

2. Let’s write and otherwise lobby Congress and affected businesses (horse/dog tracks &amp; associations, banks, Microsoft, movie studios, etc.) concerning the UIGEA regs, IGREA, SGPA, and the WTO. This Congressional session is coming to an end next month, so it’s push time!

3. Regularly write to newspapers and post to blogs. A few posts here and there can start to put us in the national zeitgeist. </font>


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1. Online public commenting for the proposed UIGEA regulations is now available. The proposed regulations are at www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/noticeofproposedrule.pdf . iMEGA has comments on the proposed regulations at http://www.imega.org/2007/10/03/imeg...a-regulations. PPA will have comments posted this week. Please go to https://pokerplayersalliance.org/new...le.php?DID=293 for instructions on submitting your comment.

2. Let’s lobby Congress and affected businesses…NOW!! This Congressional session will wrap up soon, so let’s make a push for IGREA and/or the Wexler bill (depending on your preference). We could find our way onto some popular legislation that requires funding via paygo. Let’s also lobby for issues relative to the proposed UIGEA regulations and the WTO.

Some contact Info:

Your senators: www.senate.gov
Your representative: www.house.gov

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
United States Senate
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2541
http://mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Michael Duncan (from Kentucky)
Chairman, Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
310 First Street, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
email: Chairman@gop.com

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Office of the Speaker
H-232, US Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-0100
http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
email: AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov

Rep. Steny Hoyer
House Majority Leader
H-107 Capitol Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3130

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)
Office of the Republican Leader
H-204 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4000
Fax: (202) 225-5117

Pres. Bush: comments@whitehouse.gov

Horse tracks: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...=0#Post12335695

Democratic National Committee: http://www.democrats.org/contact.html

3. Let's continue to write to newspapers, magazines, post to blogs, etc.

Letters to the editor, Washington Post: letters@washpost.com
Letters to the editor, New York Times: letters@nytimes.com

Thanks everyone! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]