Government, Please Protect Us
Government Prohibition Again
I’d like to thank the United States Government for taking the time, effort and money to make sure I can do harm to myself. You guys are the best.Oh, how the dangers of on-line poker are so tempting, like sirens singing a smooth melody, that a mere human like me could never resists the temptation to give in to the evil known as poker.
And it is not just for me. Thanks for protecting my son, who served 6 years in the military and, although he would like to relax in front of the computer and play a five-dollar game of cards, is being told that he cannot, and that is for his own good.
Stupid me for thinking what I do in my own home, on my own time, with my own money is my own business. Apparently that is not so. The protective tentacles of the United States Government, who are there for the people, have determined that, for my own good, I will not be given that choice.
If you don’t know the whole story, in 2006 Republican’s Jim Leach, Robert Goodlatte and Bill Frist, wanted to stop on-line poker. Using the premise that is was for “the kids”; they created the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Of course it might be wise for someone to check out the campaign contributions these folks get from the horse racing industry, but that is other story. These three wise men knew perfectly well that could never pass such regulation that would take away from the rights of Americans. At the same time, the Safe Port Act was quickly going through congress, a necessary bill that would soon be signed into law. At the last minute, the UIGEA was added to the bill and since there was no time for anyone to review it, or change it, it was signed into law with the Safe Port Act. What does On-Line poker have to do with Port Security? Nothing, It was a sneaky and underhanded way to get a bill through congress but it was for our own good, apparently.
I personally think that a bill such as this should have gone through the normal channels to make sure it was what the people want, but that is just me.
Here I was thinking that on-line poker would be a great revenue tax steam for a cash strapped government, instead our government spend millions to try to stop millions of folks from doing what they want to do. I guess it is better to have them go to a casino, which we all know are everywhere these days, or bet on horse racing, or play the lotto, or get a bingo card.
So the F.B.I. has spent years investigating all the on-line poker sites and last week, seized three of the biggest and arresting 12 people. Jails are over crowded, courts are behind and there is plenty of crime that is a true danger to our kids, but thank you FBI for taking the time and energy to attempt to stop this menace to our society.
I would think I should have the freedom to do with my money what I chose, but I am wrong. I need the United States Government to tell me what is good for me and what is bad. I hope this is only the beginning. Maybe smoking and alcohol are next. Oh wait they tried that. How well did that work out?
