[jonrick46]

I have noticed that government has relaxed its restrictions on gambling casinos. Even though gambling may not be like Internet use, there is an addictive quality to it. It would be like the government to foster a huge population of people into the world of gambling; only to declare a major epidemic of gambling addiction. In a cynical way I see this as growing a problem as a means to benefit from that problem.

[Prime Choice]

Funny you should mention that. Consider that the government subsidizes tobacco. They pour I don't know how many millions or billions of dollars into subsidizing it. And then they turn around and sue the manufacturers of tobacco products and further regulate the industry with onerous fees and other taxes.

Then they sock it to the poor bastards who are hooked on the tobacco products that have been subsidized by the very government that touts itself as "looking out for the consumer's best interests."

It just gets curiouser and curiouser.

[ModelBreaker]

It would be like the government to foster a huge population of people into the world of gambling; only to declare a major epidemic of gambling addiction.

As long as the feds can tax it, they are fine with an addiction. What bugs them is that taxation of internet usage has been limited.