A Different Tactic on the Senate Vote

Wynn · Jul 27, 2006

A lot people are already predicting that the internet gaming bill will never get to the Senate this year. I am not one of them. I believe that Senator Kyl has just as much clout in his 10+ years in the Senate as Representatives Goodlatte and Leach have in the House,and it can make it to the floor for a vote.

I hope I'm wrong. But if I'm not, it dawned on me that one of the more effective ways to combat Senator Kyl is to try to appeal to those members of the Senate and the Republican Party who may be in a position to exert some influence over him. Here goes:

Senator Bill Frist , M.D.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

ffice

ffice" /><o

></o

>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

ffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1

lace>U.S.</st1

lace></st1:country-region> Senate Majority Leader
509 <st1

lace><st1:City>Hart Senate Office Building</st1:City>
<st1:State>Washington</st1:State></st1

lace>, DC 20510<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Senator Richard C. Shelby, Chairman
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
110 <st1

lace><st1:City>Hart Senate Office Building</st1:City>
<st1:State>Washington</st1:State></st1

lace>, DC 20510<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Mr. Ken Mehlman, Chairman<o

></o

>
Republican National Committee<o

></o

>
310 <st1:Street><st1:address>First Street, SE</st1:address></st1:Street><o

></o

>
Washington, D.C. 20003<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Mr. Matt Salmon, Chairman<o

></o

>
<st1:State><st1

lace>Arizona</st1

lace></st1:State> Republican Party
<st1:address><st1:Street>3501 North 24th Street</st1:Street>
<st1:City>Phoenix</st1:City>, <st1:State>Arizona</st1:State><st1

ostalCode>85016</st1

ostalCode></st1:address><o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
<st1:date Year="2006" Day="27" Month="7">July 27, 2006</st1:date><o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Dear Sirs:<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
I write to you today as a lifelong registered Republican and as a financial supporter of the GOP. I ask you to consider the repercussions of the Senate passing a bill and the government subsequently enforcing a law which imposes regulations as prescribed in HR4411. This legislation attempts to prohibit citizens and institutions from engaging in the commerce of internet wagering. <o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Millions of your constituents align themselves with the Republican Party based on the presumption that minimizing governmental intervention in the private sector is a fundamental Republican tenet. We may not agree with every aspect of the GOP platform, but our belief in this philosophy has guided our loyalty at the voting booth. By passing a bill prohibiting internet gaming, the Senate would send the message that they are more concerned with legislating morality than they are preserving a citizen’s freedom in his or her own home. This will prove detrimental to the party in the November elections. <o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
This government faces too many more pressing challenges than dedicating its time and resources toward regulating and enforcing a prohibition on internet gambling. It does not need to enact legislation which will contradict itself by carving out horse-racing and lottery gambling while supposedly prohibiting all forms of internet wagers. It does not need to enact legislation which will directly conflict with World Trade Organization rules. It does not need to enact legislation which will introduce a time period similar to that of alcohol prohibition in this country. And if it does, surely it is guilty as charged of pandering to a far right-wing constituency.<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Moreover, if such a bill is passed by this congress, I, personally, will renounce my affiliation with the Republican Party while remaining committed to my rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.<o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Sincerely,<o

></o

>

TomBrady#1 · Jul 28, 2006

GREAT IDEA. I will join you and hope others do the same.

Wynn · Jul 28, 2006

For clarification purposes:

HR4411 (sponsored by Rep. Jim Leach R-Iowa) “Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act” bans online sites from "knowingly accepting" money from U.S.-based customers, and encourages financial institutions to deny Internet gambling transactions. It exempts horse racing and loterries.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

ffice

ffice" /><o

> </o

>
In other words, it targets gambling websites and financial institutions.
<o

> </o

>
It has passed the House and awaits a corresponding bill to be introduced in the Senate.<o

> </o

>

HR4777 (sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte R-Virginia) “Internet Gambling Prohibition Act” makes it unlawful for ANY person to knowingly engage in internet gambling commerce too: (1) place, receive or otherwise make a bet or wager; or (2) send, receive, or invite information assisting in the placing of a bet or wager." It exempts lotteries, but is silent on horse racing (leaves room for DOJ to interpret).
<o

> </o

>
In other words, it targets gamblers as well.
<o

> </o

>
It has passed the House Judiciary Committee awaits a vote on the floor.

Fishhead · Jul 28, 2006

Thanks

Wynn · Jul 28, 2006

You're welcome, Fish.

Key dates for HR4411 going forward:

Senate summer recess: August 7 - September 4

House of Representatives: July 31 - September 4

Business recommences: September 5 <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

ffice

ffice" /><o

></o

>
<o

></o

>
Last date by which final version of HR 4411 must be approved by Congress: September 22 (in order to meet the 10 business days before adjournment rule)
<o

></o

>
Senate and the House planned adjournment date (at present): October 6

Midterm elections: November 7

FairWarning · Jul 28, 2006

Great thread. :103631605

TescoVee · Jul 28, 2006

Dear Sirs,

I write to you today as a lifelong registered Republican and as a financial supporter of the GOP. I didnt mind when you have been trying to take away a woman's right to choose, a gay persons right to marry or everyone's right to privacy but this gambling bill now effects me. Hope this isnt a pattern

Wynn · Jul 28, 2006

Hey Tesco Vee,

Sorry if my Republican affiliation offends you, but as I said in my letter, there are millions of us who "may not agree with every aspect of the GOP platform."

I tried to address an issue that appears to interest a lot of Rx Forum posters from a different angle. Look forward to hearing your constructive suggestions on the matter.

:bigfinger

TescoVee · Jul 28, 2006

i was just being ornery on a friday.

would rather have everyone write than to sit idle on this and other topics.

also as someone across the street mentioned, ACLU should help take this up as they love to fight for individual rights like this for everyone.

Wynn · Jul 28, 2006

Tesco Vee said:
i was just being ornery on a friday.

would rather have everyone write than to sit idle on this and other topics.

Point well taken. We can write nothing in here and just assume this bill won't pass. But if we're wrong, I guarantee you a lot more people will be writing about this in October.

:toast:

VegasPlayer777 · Jul 28, 2006

kwalder, are you sure about the 9/22 bill deadline? I thought I read that congress returns in December of this year and the bill could be introduced then.

Wynn · Jul 28, 2006

Vegas Player 777 said:
kwalder, are you sure about the 9/22 bill deadline? I thought I read that congress returns in December of this year and the bill could be introduced then.

Vegas Player, the 9/22 deadline pertains to the September session which is targeted to adjourn on 10/6. All final versions of bills must be brought to the Senate floor 10 business days prior to session adjournment if they are to voted on in that session.

I'm not sure about any subsequent 2006 sessions after the November elections.

A Different Tactic on the Senate Vote

Search

Wynn

Member

TomBrady#1

New member

Wynn

Member

Fishhead

Active member

Wynn

Member

FairWarning

Official Rx music critic and beer snob

TescoVee

New member

Wynn

Member

TescoVee

New member

Wynn

Member

VegasPlayer777

"Life is 6 to 5 Against"

Wynn

Member

Forum statistics

Share this page