About Time for a Post

Well I think I am finally healthy and I am ready for a post. I think I have lots of things to rant about, but I will start by focusing on H.R.4411.

H.R. 4411: Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006

Where is the logic?

Israel is attacking its neighbors. N. Korea is playing in their backyard with large rockets. No control in Iraq. Hundreds killed in train bombing in India. And rebels taking over the streets in Brazil.

The Bozo’s on Capitol Hill are doinking around with morality issues like H.R.4411.

H.R. 4411: Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006

Stamp out the “crack cocaine” equivalent of the internet. I think this legislation will be about as effective as 30 years of drug legislation. Absolutely no effect at all! The House passed this bill this week. Will it stop internet gambling? There is no verbiage stating that gambling on the net is illegal. The bill targets financial institutions, preventing them from paying off shore gambling entities. So my Neteller account based in Canada is not impacted. Scott’s Swiss bank account is probably safe too.

I would add a couple of amendments to this bill.

If Carl’s Credit Union pays Party poker $200, then Carl will receive a bill for the government transaction fee of $40, which is essentially a tax on the transaction.
U.S. Businesses currently with a gambling license in good standing may create on-line applications for international gambling.

Amendment 1 is essentially a tax on the transaction and will go into the general fund. Why our government is not more concerned about getting their fair share of the $12 Billion (I believe more like $50 Billion) international industry, is beyond me. The Bozo’s certainly want to tax the hell out of hard earned income and goods we choose to purchase.

Amendment 2 allows US based gambling institutes to compete with offshore entities. I believe this would result in more revenue for a wasteful government.

I might even consider a third amendment similar to the Grand Mother Law in the St. Louis area. This amendment would limit the amount of the transaction in a certain period of time. This might help the internet in “crack” addicts who can not control their bankroll.

In reality I would not have mucked around with this legislation at all. I would set priorities and believe me this would be so far down on the list. I would simply legalize internet gambling and let the currently licensed companies develop software and grab their piece of the electronic pie. I would then apply the existing tax structure and let the government rake in the revenue.

Other than running for elected office I did do my part. I wrote letters to the Texas Senators and my representative. I did hear back from the Honorable Senator Cornyn. Blah! Blah! Blah! Thank you for expressing your opinion I will do my best to represent the people of Texas. I did not sponsor the bills in question. I will be really surprised if the Senate passes this useless legislation, but who knows.

The real issue I will be facing is my wife. She has level one security clearance and if this becomes a law she surely will interpret it as Internet Gambling is completely illegal and ban me from playing for fear of losing her job.

I have not spent one red cent on the money I have on my internet accounts. I do not plan on making any more transactions except to sign up for other sites from my existing accounts. Government should quit mucking around with something so trivial and allow me to continue to pursue my on-line fishing for gold. Spend your time worrying about the World War that is unfolding before our very eyes.

Enough ranting! I am seriously considering running for a local office as a Libertarian or Independent. My platform would include banning Limestone trains from blocking traffic during rush hour periods for sure. I might also consider a ban of selling fireworks in Williamson County. Oh wait that may be legislating morality. I will have to ponder that platform item further. Most importantly I would do what makes the most common sense when it comes to legislation. The last thing I would do for sure is after every meeting I attend I would bring the cards and start a No Limit tournament with my fellow officers.

I have been playing poker. I have been losing my shirt due to my addiction to Omaha-8. My plan of winning enough money for a new I-pod is not going to well. I may have to get some lessons from Scott.

My goal is to write at least once per week. I want to conclude this little post by saying thank you to all poker bloggers. There has been some awesome content especially coming from the recent blogger adventure in OZ. I have really had some good laughs.

Keep on blogging!

PEACE