CONVERTING THE REPUBLICANS

22 August 2008

Poker players urged to promote their rights on political website


The Poker Players Alliance was active this week in urging US players to promote the rights of citizens to play poker online, using the Republican Platform Committee's official Internet message board at www.gopplatform2008.com. The purpose of the website is to obtain public comment and suggestions on what should be included in the party's campaign platform for the coming presidential elections.

In an initial run, 160 players posted comments that encouraged the GOP to take a closer look at the needs of millions of American poker players, over a million of them members of the PPA.

"My point is simple," posted PPA member and former World Series of Poker champion Greg Raymer: "Is the Republican Party no longer the party of personal freedom and individual responsibility? Why has this party, that used to protect my rights, now become the party that wants to create a Nanny-state? Stay away from issues of personal liberty, except to remove old laws that restrict these liberties."

Some of the other comments posted included:

"Allow Americans the freedom to play poker on the internet. It's embarrassing that certain segments of the Republican Party are imposing their morality on the country. If I choose to play poker or another game of skill on the internet, what business is it of the government's? Please take us back to the Republican Party of limited government. This issue will be the deciding factor in who I vote for in the upcoming election. Please support bills like HR 5657."

"I want you to support my right to play online poker. This is a billion dollar industry and there is no reason why it cannot be regulated."

"I find it deplorable that we have legalized lotteries, horse & dog race betting, bingo lotto, casinos everywhere but we can't have legalized online poker. All we've done is drive the online poker sites offshore. Foreign countries are reaping the tax & business revenues [as a result] of this flawed policy."

"I have never been a single issue voter but if the Republican Party continues its opposition to the regulation of online gambling, I will vote for someone other than senator McCain. Clearly regulation and taxation is the correct position on this issue."

"As a lifelong republican I believe in personal responsibility. Choosing to gamble on the internet should be a personal choice not a decision the government makes for us. In 2004 the party platform took the position that government should ban internet gambling. I enjoy playing poker on the internet and if the party platform were to advocate banning internet gambling this election season I would seriously consider voting for Obama."

"I am a long time supporter of conservative views. I support the right of mature adult citizens to continue my freedoms to exercise free choice in how I spend my time and recreational moneys. I support the right to participate in and play poker. I object to the reduction in my personal freedoms so someone can push his/her moral agenda. My country asked me to participate in the struggle to protect our freedoms so I became a part of the military service and fought in Viet Nam and was honorably discharged. Why are the few pushing so hard to reduce the freedoms of so many adults who want to play poker?"

"I have been a Reagan Republican since 1980 because I believed in the platform of the Republican Party. However, the party of Ronald Reagan is no longer the party that I believe in for the following reason. Let me say first, I believe in family values, protecting the unborn, religious freedom, etc.... However I have been quite unhappy with the Republican Party since the passage of UIGEA in 2006. It is another infringement upon our personal freedoms which we have enjoyed for 200 plus years."

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