Second Letter

Representative Platts:

I am writing today on the eve of the signing into law a bill that would effectively end online poker in the United States.

This is an issue that strikes at the very heart of freedom of choice and personal responsibility. While I understand the risks inherent in playing poker online, I also believe that it should be an individual's choice to do so.

There are many things that are potentially dangerous to individuals and affect the culture as a whole.

Alcohol, tobacco, firearms, even automobile use cause billions of dollars of damage and take away millions of lives each year. Yet, the decision to use these products are considered to be the choice of all free adult Americans.

Their potential for harm is understood, and therefore heavily regulated. Indeed, the government recoups some of the cost associated with the downside of these activities through taxes.

Indeed, the government both sanctions and supports other forms of gambling such as lotteries and slots parlors.

All of this you already know.

What I'm asking today is for you to consider and support any future legislation either giving online poker the same exempted status as horse racing and lotteries, or legalizing online poker in a very regulated and taxed form.

Thank you for your consideration.

I've been sending this letter to every Democratic Representative that will accept my e-mail. Probably, the only thing it will do is help me to feel better. As I understand it, the Treasury will write the regulations regarding the online gambling laws. How do we lobby the Treasury to exempt poker, or is that even worth the effort, since Bush will make it clear he won't accept that?