Politicians Get Tough – It’s all about the dollar

[Dr. Jack]

Feel free to debate me or give your input/opinions

It was predicted back in February that the online gambling bill (H.R. 4777) introduced by Rep. Goodlatte would be passed in the House. The bill had 146 sponsors in the House. Finally, the bill was passed and sent to the Senate. The bill seeks to change language in the codified law by bringing it more up-to-date. Rather than the law specifying gambling via telephone wires, it would instead use terminology such as communication facility.

The bill must now go through the same process in the Senate to become law. There’s a lot of debate as to the possibility of the new online gambling bill becoming actual law. It’s been estimated that the deep Senate support required to get a bill through just isn’t there for this issue. Furthermore, it’s already the end of July in an election year. It’s very possible that the bill will simply run out of time in the Senate. If that happens, it must go back to the House and start all over next session.

What’s the real issue at stake here? According to some politicians, like Goodlatte, online gambling is a scourge on the American people. If that’s true, then why do states sponsor forms of gambling and allow others? Could it be that, unlike online gambling, the government can’t track and tax gamblers effectively? Some have tried to push this legislation as some sort of moral crusade, but we should all know better. The first rule of politics is to follow the money.

Goodlatte says the following on his House website, “Internet gambling is now estimated to be a $12 billion industry, with approximately $6 billion coming from bettors based in the U.S.” Did you catch it? One half of all online gambling revenue, $6 billion, comes from U.S. bettors. He just gave us six billion reasons why this legislation is about more than morals. By forcing people to gambling “in house,” that revenue stays in the country, can be taxed and states will profit from it.

Want more proof? The new legislation proposed would not simply change the language to clarify that online gambling in any form is illegal—as supporters are touting. It also takes away the possibility of violating the law by removing the financial element required to gamble online—credit cards for instance. Next, it increases punishment from an already pointless two years in a federal prison to five.

Were you one of the sheep that believed this was about morals? Here’s a direct quote from Goodlatte’s website to prove my point further. He said, Internet gambling “hurts individuals and their families but makes the economy suffer by draining billions of dollars from the United States.” Please note the phrase “draining billions of dollars from the United States.” This legislation is not about freedom of citizens, moralistic ideas, or some sort of citizen protectionist stance. It is about money being lost by the government plain and simple.

Auction giant Ebay has chimed in on the issue. They believe gambling on the Internet is wrong and they want U.S. citizens, who like to gamble, thrown in federal prison. Does this shock you? In a letter sent to Rep. Bob Goodlatte, Ebay said, “eBay believes that the most effective solution to this problem should target the law enforcement component of the Internet gambling business.” Ebay also said that Goodlatte’s bill was a crucial step to “giving law enforcement officials the tools they need to target U.S. citizens.” Perhaps you will think of this the next time you are “doing it Ebay.”

Even with Ebay, you can follow the money trail. They are in favor of the legislation not because of the moral issues, but because it will help them with their offshore gambling agenda. For those that did not know, Pay Pal Europe has deals with online gambling providers. This legislation is clearly about money and those who thought it was about morals or protection have been suckered. Even though this legislation is expected to die, it would be resurrected next year should that be the case.

As things heat up with the arrest of BetonSports CEO, David Carruthers, and his company, BetOnSports, with criminal racketeering and wire fraud charges filed on Monday (you can read the entire text of the indictment, provided by the NY Times) – it appears like the people in charge are trying to scare the average Joe and send a message.

Have you got the message? It’s all about the dollar.

[Bobtheicon]

Great post Jack. There has never been a more important time to get out and VOTE!!! - Question the people running on the ballot. Call their office - ask them where they stand. If they don't answer or return your call, don't vote for them.
If you don't like their answer, don't vote for them. And let them know that you are not voting for them and why.
We may all be tricked into thinking this is still a democracy, but we need to keep trying. All time low voter turn out is the reason why the friggin idiots are in office!!

[jbsjlu]

I don't even know where to begin.....

It seems laughable to me that our politicians can even get thru this themselves with a straight face! There are so many holes -flawed arguments in their case it is just sad.

You can approach this from the freedom to spend ones money angle, which is that if I earn a buck and want to gamble it away it is mine to do so with.

Ok so gambling is illegal, so now I can't bet my dollar-wrong, in almost all states I can buy a lottery ticket, in many states i can go bet on a horse race, in others i can bet on dog races, some I can bet legally on jali (sp). This doesn't even count all the bingo games I could go play......

On top of that in Atlantic City I can go play black jack, roulette etc, oh and i can also do that at any number of indian reservation casinos or riverboat casinos. Heck all this and i didn't even mention neveda yet?

Well ok all these are regulated and really you just don't want me to bet my dollar on sports? Oh but wait if i'm in the state of Neveda-it is legal for me to bet on any number of sporting events worldwide at any number of Neveda sportsbooks.

Ok now I'm confused, it seems to me my government only wants me to bet my money where and when they want me to. Something is wrong with that concept!

Now we can also approach this from the evil of gambling side but really that'll fall apart quickly too.....

As we've seen above the government actually condones a heck of a lot of gambling.

Also if we outlaw gambling because it is so bad for people then what about cigarettes and liquor? It is legal for me to smoke and drink with my money which i believe most rational americans will argue hurts many more people than gambling.

Count the number of drunk driving deaths and make me a rational arguement how gambling should be illegal while alcohol is legal? Having lost both my wifes parents to lung cancer give me any logical reason why cigarettes are legal and gambling shouldn't be?

Can an addiction to gambling ruin ones life-hell yes-but so can an addiction to cigarettes or liquor or just about anything in excess.

Like you Jack to me this all comes down to the almighty $.....

So legalize it, tax it and license the books that you want in the US.

Obviously this can be done as the government regulates the dog and horse tracks already-All casinos in Neveda, NJ, Indian resos and riverboats are regulated. Certainly regulating and licensing online gaming is doable.

I for one hate when my politicians flat out lie.... don't tell me you are trying to save me from myself, truth is you haven't figured out how to regulate it yet and take your cut-once you do-well we all know the answer to that I believe....

just my opinion folks, sorry this went on & on....

[omniclone]

I'am not an American But I get confused hows the freedom pratice there