Posted on 07/25/2006 11:40:48 PM PDT by MikeNJ
The House of Representatives voted 245 to 159 to pass the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 1999. Because of a rule requiring two-thirds approval, the measure didn't pass. Its sponsor, Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., plans to introduce it again when only a majority is needed for passage.
If enacted, it would "Amend the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person engaged in a gambling business to knowingly use the Internet or any other interactive computer service to: (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." Criminal penalties include fines and up to five years' imprisonment.
There is absolutely no constitutional authority for this disgusting abuse of federal power. But most Americans, who think Congress has a right to do anything for which they can get a majority vote, ignore the clearly written constitutional restraints on Congress.
The key restraint here is the Tenth Amendment, which holds that all powers not enumerated in the Constitution belong to the people and the states. Of course, congressmen might pretend they have such authority under the "commerce clause," their standard excuse to grab power.
Congress' constitutional contempt is nothing new, but this latest act is quite a step down the slippery slope toward greater control of our lives. Let's look at some of their justifications. Rep. Goodlatte says, "Internet gambling is a scourge on our society. It causes innumerable problems in our society." Rep. John Duncan, R-Tenn., says, "The Internet is addictive for many people anyway, and online gambling can be doubly addictive." Most other justifications follow the same line of reasoning; namely, there are Americans who don't know what's good for them, and it's the job of Congress to stop them from personal indiscretions.
The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act gives Congress the authority to go to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and order that they not provide linkages to online gambling establishments. If you think Congress will be satisfied with restrictions only on gambling establishments, you're going to be disappointed. After all, the Internet provides people with access to other establishments that can be said to "cause innumerable problems in our society." There are various hate groups with Internet sites that spew vile propaganda. There are pornographic sites. There are sites that present political ideas or religious fanaticism that are offensive to many people and can "cause innumerable problems in our society."
If the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act is approved, it will become a precedent for congressional control over other aspects of the Internet and an important loss in our liberty. Let's follow the money and ask who benefits should the law be passed. What about legal gambling establishments in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and elsewhere? From their revenue point of view, they'd be happy to see less online gambling competition.
What about federal, state and local governments? Online gambling, most of which is offshore, doesn't create any tax revenue for them. The bill focuses on online games such as poker, blackjack and sports betting but exempts taxable state-regulated gambling such as lotteries and horse racing.
If people want to gamble online, they are going to gamble online. The only thing the act will accomplish is, like Prohibition, make criminals out of otherwise law-abiding people. It will turn banks and other financial institutions into government snoops. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said, "If an adult in this country, with his own money, wants to engage in an activity that harms no one, how dare we bar it." I second that and add, since protection of "the children" often serves as an excuse to restrict our liberties, that if children get involved, let their parents, not Congress, deal with it.
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To bad Barney Frank and his Liberal buddies don't apply that same logic to gun rights and the free market .
I agree with you , this is more unnecessary regulation .
its all the payback to the Indian casinos......they get to have all other gambling prohibited so their places thrive......to the tune of billions.....
It sure didn't stop a lot of liberals from wagging their fingers at Bill Bennett, did it?
However, if Congress' underlying purpose for all of this was to stick their noses under the tent of regulating the internet, they would not go after gambling sites (which most Americans don't despise) but go after child pornography (which most Americans do).
I see this more as Republican do-gooderism than a nefarious plot to take over the internet.
If the feds could figure out how to tax the behavior and enforce the taxing they would do so, but since they cannot, they will make it illegal! Typical ... doesn't seem to matter which political smarmists are in power, the nanny state marches ever onward.
There shouldn't be gambling, but the government seems to be taking more and more control over the internet.
And really, who is to blame for this? Every Tom Dick and Harry who frequents Indian casinos and state legislatures that don't allow public casinos where taxes would be paid.
So our govt. can spend their time taking yet another choice from Americans, but we can't have a secure southern border?
We need another American Revolution. Our Government is out of control and a danger to us all.
What is really "disgusting" is that this bill sponsors and a majority of supporters, are Pubs.
Wonder why that is?
The Republican party needs a complete overhaul...
Don't be surprised. Republicans are nanny state lovers too.
The worst absoulute bet you can make is buying a state lotterey ticket,worst odds with the biggest house edge.If these assholes were truly honest about gambling which they are not, they would end state lotteries,the real sucker bet.
The only reason they are trying to pull off this typical righteous republican snow job is because they want a piece.Everybody knows it,everybody sees it,and nobodies buying it anymore.
The oil companies that these frauds are in bed with will starve me before a dollar limit hold em game will.
Internet Gambling truly is a scourge on our society. And no casinos, racetracks and lotteries are not wholesome and beneficial.
Organized crime will not allow competition that takes money away from them.
No distinction between governments and the mafia here...
Mark
Powerball's my retirement plan! I invest $5 a week!
Seriously though, I do play the powerball, because someone has to win, although I also realize that I have better odds of getting struck by lightning while singing opera, while in the basement (and I don't sing opera, or have a basement!).
I've heard lotteries refered to as a "stupid tax," and that's really what they are. Especially when the sales of Powerball tickets were going down, they added some additional numbers, increased the possible winnings (slightly), and trumpeted it as a good thing for the gambers, saying that "Now there are more ways to win!" Never mind that the odds of winning have now been substantially reduced!
Yup, "Stupid Tax" is a good name for it.
Mark
Internet gambling won't vanish from the US due to this legislation. That's one reason why it is such a cynical and transparent gift to wealthy casino political donors.
Everything in life doesn't HAVE to be "wholesome & beneficial".
Go live in the land of bunnies, unicorns and rainbows if you like purity and wholesomeness. I, as a human, like it a little down and dirty on occasion. I like MY bunnies Hugh Hefner style. And, if I want to gamble online (which I don't, never have and never will - not a gambler), I should, as a FREE ADULT, be able to - without some nanny big-brother saying...now, now now...that's dangerous little boy.
"Yes, but casino gambling, racetracks, and lotteries are wholesome and beneficial, and cause few societal problems, if any."
Few problems? Do you have a source to support that statement. I've seen many many problems. Went to the local racetrack one time. Most depressing place I have ever seen. Commercials show all these young beautiful people. They didn't include the 15 people on oxygen glued to the slots. Nor did they include the desperate look 90% of these people had as they bet the last dime of their social security check. Utterly pathetic.
I think it's a payback to the state lottery commissions.
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