(a) think the government should not be in so much debt, but don’t really feel like paying more taxes to cover the IOUs?

or

(b) play poker and want to enjoy the game legally from the comfort of your own home.

Then you should pass this letter on to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (found here http://deficitreduction.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact because…

(a) you’ll sit back and watch a bunch of degenerate gamblers pay a vice tax to help get the country back on track.

or

(b) it will let the government know that you want to enjoy the game legally from the comfort of your own home.

Here is a sample letter provided by the Poker Player’s Alliance.

“Dear Honorable Joint Select Committee Members,

Please support HR 2366 — raise revenue without raising taxes

As a voter and tax payer, I am writing to ask that you please consider H.R. 2366, the Online Poker Act of 2011, during your deficit reduction discussions. This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX), will provide much needed federal and state revenue without raising taxes. It will also bring American companies into the Internet poker market, creating thousands of new jobs that we so desperately need. It will provide for strong consumer protections and age verification requirements as well.

Former Homeland Security Advisor Tom Ridge supports federal licensing of online poker because it addresses control and accountability of cash flows. Additionally, WiredSafety, the world’s largest Internet safety group, concluded that “combining a thoughtful regulatory scheme with education, technology tools, and support appears to be the most effective means of handling the realities and risks” of online poker. This groundbreaking study can be found at www.theppa.org/harvardstudy. U.S.-based horse race wagering sites have proven that online betting sites can successfully implement these important protections. The game of poker deserves no less.

This bill does not authorize video poker or any other house-banked casino-style game. Rather, it provides for sensible regulation of the game of online poker — the electronic version of the game families across America play at the kitchen table — and is limited to this person-to-person game of skill.

Every federal dollar wasted on efforts to stop American adults from playing online poker is another dollar added to the federal deficit. Quite frankly, there’s simply no reason for the deficit reduction super committee to ignore HR 2366.

Thank you for your consideration,

Add your name here”

Dear Mr. Murphy:

Thank you for contacting me with your support for a skill game exemption to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. I appreciate hearing from you, although I regret that we do not agree on this particular issue.

Since 2006, numerous legislative measures have been introduced that would exempt certain games, predominantly determined by a player’s skill, from those prohibited by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. I have not supported these measures in the past, and I am not inclined to support similar measures introduced in the 111th Congress.

I have a number of concerns regarding Internet gambling and its potentially negative impact on families. Those who support the legislation claim that it includes protections against underage gambling. I, however, share the concern of many of my colleagues that Internet gambling is far too accessible to children. Some have pointed out that a teenager could easily get the family credit card, log on to the family computer, and loose thousands of dollars online, all before their parents get home from work. American families simply cannot afford these types of situations especially in our current economic situation.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to call on me.

Sincerely,

John Linder
Member of Congress

Your kid steals your credit card and gamblies it all away? Gimme a break. The problem here is that YOUR KID STEALS YOUR CREDIT CARD! How does the kids method of spending your money make any difference? Personally, I would have taken my class to go see the new Star Trek, but that’s just me. Howsabout we hide said credit card or teach our kids how to behave and not rely on the freakin’ government. It’s a baseless arguement.

Besides, your kid is much more likely to opt for easier illegal web activity such as porn.

I’ll clean up this rebuttal a bit and write back to Mr. Linder. I’ll keep you posted.

Writing to the people that matter is an awesome way to start. The Poker Player’s Alliance have a dead simple way to show your support for the bill. All you have to do is type your name and contact info. There is an option to personalize the letter, but the PPA wrote out a very clear and to the point endorsement already. Here is the link:

Save on-line poker!

To learn more about the bill, check this news clip:

It may too late for it to be that easy. The US government has already forced very profitable companies like Poker Stars offshore. I can see the powers that be not wanting their people sending all their funds overseas.

I think US based casinos need to step up in their lobbying for on-line gambling. If Harrah’s On-line offered a Poker Stars-like software based in America, the government may be more likely to pass along legislation allowing it. The US doesn’t need to export it’s citizens recreational money right now, I get it. We just need to all get on the same page.

So, this plea is for you, brick-and-mortar US-based casinos: fight for your own on-line ventures. If you do it right, you can do more than compete with the Full Tilt’s of the world and get this country on track to freedom that has been denied us.

For the sake of argument, lets say the cops never actively go after your Internet gambling. If you advance in your poker career and start making more money, that cash flow could be traced. If you do well enough, you will be forced into deceiving the IRS in order to keep the illusion of lawfulness. The police may not actively investigate you, but the IRS will.

That is a concern of the of the high rollers, so let’s say that doesn’t affect you yet. How about this scenario: The site in which your money is invested may accidentally or maliciously lose your data. This doesn’t have to happen at the PokerStars level, all the in betweens (GatorPay, Netellter, ect.) have fallible systems as well. As you are outside the law, there is no one you can turn to for fair play. Where is the Better Business Bureau when you need it? What are you going to do? Sue? You are technically a criminal.

I’m not being over dramatic, this has happened to me. As I’ve said before, I don’t want you to quit playing on-line poker. I consider it a health protest to keep playing. My goal is merely to spread awareness of why it is important to usher Obama’s “change” to our level.

Instruction as to how shall follow. Thanks for listening.

Not really, but I am redirecting my efforts. For the past few years, I’ve been slowly drifting towards on-line exclusivity. The draw is clear. I have a busy schedule and the siren sound of a “sit-n-go” quickie is the time-suck I can afford. More than that, as supplemental income, I can’t afford not…but I must. The love of the game originated in face-to-face “rounding” and it is that origin I plan to reclaim.

I’m temporarily benching myself from the digital game. The duration of my self-imposed exile depends on how soon I accomplish this little crusade I’ve been hinting.

On-line poker is currently (debatably) illegal for US players due to a bit of pork barrel legislation passed under the Bush Admistration. I resolve to do everything in my power to help many notable professionals in over turning said law. Whether or not you are a fan of Obama, having democrats in office makes this particular right’s return much more likely. The Poker Player’s Alliance sited Obama as the second most likely candidate to help overturn the bill. Second only to Ron Paul.

So what does this mean to you?

HellsColdDay.com will continue with its regular posts on general poker topics, but will also introduce a new post category to follow my mission. I’m going to miss playing cards with my long-distance readers, but hopefully my hiatus will be a short one. I wish I could make an exception for the likes of the Twitter Poker Tour, but I plan on putting myself out there for the cause and it is important to be on the up-and-up. Besides, the return to on-line play will be a driving factor in getting things done. Please feel free to help by posting related articles and ideas in the comments. Talk to you soon.

–Grundy