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1. TheEngineer
   State Director & Forum Admin
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   I'm working up a letter to President Obama. I'm trying to keep this shorter than our usual. With that in mind, will you take a look and provide input?

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   Dear President Obama:

   I am a voter and poker player who’s writing to ask for your support. Specifically, I ask that you publicly support my right to play games of skill like poker on the Internet.

   This issue is not lost on the American public. We recently made our desire for this liberty known through your Citizen’s Briefing Book web site. Of the thousands of proposals submitted, a proposal supporting Internet poker rights was consistently in the top 15 during the voting, ending up at #11 – and #2 for number of user comments.

   This issue is not lost on Capitol Hill, either. In the 110th Congress, several pieces of legislation were proposed that would implement regulation and licensing of Internet poker. Sensible regulation allows Congress to mandate rigorous safeguards against underage participation and protections for those with excessive gaming habits while providing consumer protections for the millions of Americans who play online poker every day. Regulation also allows American gaming companies to participate in the world's Internet gaming market, bringing needed jobs and revenue to America. Internet censorship and an unenforceable, unpopular prohibition provide none of these benefits. All censorship and prohibition can do is drive players underground or overseas while limiting my personal freedom.

   What's most important to me is your support for my rights. Please respond to this letter and let me know you will support my freedoms. I will be watching your actions on this issue closely. I hope that I, along with my over one million fellow Poker Players Alliance members, can count on your support.

   Thank you for your consideration.

   Posted 1 year ago #

2. TheEngineer
   State Director & Forum Admin
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   The FreedomWorks letter is up, at http://www.capwiz.com/freedomworks/issues/alert/?alertid=12298491 . If you send it, will you make one change:

   Now: "The scandal at the AbsolutePoker and UltimateBet websites has many calling for even more restrictions or an outright ban on online gaming."

   Change to: "The scandal at the AbsolutePoker and UltimateBet websites has some calling for even more restrictions or an outright ban on online gaming."

   -----------------------------------------

   Dear President Obama:

   The CBS news show 60 minutes recently did an interesting piece on internet gaming, and an incident where online poker players were cheated out of a lot of money. The scandal at the AbsolutePoker and UltimateBet websites has many calling for even more restrictions or an outright ban on online gaming. But for those of us who view the issue with a different lens, it is a good example of the unintended consequences of government interference.

   Burdensome laws and regulations have driven the online gaming industry offshore, which may expose consumers to greater risks than they would face in a more open environment.

   There is no reason online gaming should be inherently more dangerous than purchasing a flat screen TV online. If anything, the incident demonstrates the dangers of government policies that drive online gaming offshore or underground, beyond the rule of law.

   Markets are built on a trust between buyers and sellers, and the rule of law offers a greater degree of confidence by providing a way to enforce contracts and settle disputes.

   Instead of trying to ban what is a popular billion dollar market with millions of fans, consumers should have every protection that they enjoy when they make any other transaction—online or in the local store.

   I believe that the best way to avoid future cheating scandals is to allow markets to work while ensuring consumers access to the full force of the law in the case of irregularities or illegal activities.

   The solution is not to drive the industry underground and offshore. The solution is to ensure that online gamers have access to the rule of law and that providers of online gaming face strict market discipline, where trust can be rewarded and a breach of trust means a business is not viable.

   Posted 1 year ago #

3. TheEngineer
   State Director & Forum Admin
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   So, let's all send these!

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. TheEngineer
   State Director & Forum Admin
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   Please digg the FreedomWorks letter at http://digg.com/political_opinion/Internet_Freedom_Supporters_Lobby_Obama_for_Online_Poker .

   Posted 1 year ago #

5. Berserker871
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   I would try to emphasize even more the tax dollars and jobs this would produce other than that I think it looks great. I think keeping it brief is a good idea as well. No non-serious poker player is going to spend more than probably 30 seconds reading about this issue so (especially in the countries current condition) so it's good IMO to keep it to the most basic and pressing issues. Which is why I think an emphasis on the major issues like jobs and tax dollars is in order because these affect everyone.

   I have to say though engineer I have heard your podcasts on pocket fives and read your posts on 2+2 and PPA and if poker is to make any progress in this fight I think your contributions will be undeniably helpful in our cause. Thanks for all that you do man, and may many coolers be in your favor :)

   Posted 1 year ago #

6. TheEngineer
   State Director & Forum Admin
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   Berserker871,

   Thanks for the comments on the Obama letter. I'll incorporate that.

   Also, thanks for the kind words. I appreciate that. I'm glad we're all fighting together for our rights.

   TE

   Posted 1 year ago #

7. Dianna Donofrio
   State Director
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   Good letter. Believe a point should be made that poker is a 'Game of Skill' not chance. Multi-winners at WSOP and other major tournaments also reflect this. Playing poker as a profession takes training and study to acquire the professional sport status that has been achieved by the poker stars that at the top of this profession, i.e. Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Jennifer Harman, Jamie Gold, Howard Lederer, Linda Johnson, Joe Hachem, Mike Sexton and the hundreds of others.

   Posted 1 year ago #

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