HR 3125 DIES

[charliemack]

http://clerkweb.house.gov/evs/2000/index.asp

[reno]

What stands out to me is that Republicans were 165/44 in favor of the bill, while Democrats were 79/114. Democrats saved our ass. Now if they could just stop taxing us to death and stop wasting our tax money on ridiculous social programs, they'd almost be worth voting for.

[skeptic]

Reno,

I have come to the conclusion long ago that there is almost no difference between remocrats and depublicans. They both tax and they both spend like crazy. Neither party has done anything to reduce the size og government.

So become a single issue voter, internet gambling. I dream of the day when the term "pro-choice" means you are for the right to choose to gamble on the net.

I am as conservative as they come. I believe in a hands off government. Unfortunately, most of the republicans are not true conservatives. They are for less government intervention unless they don't like what you are doing.

I never thought I would be saying this but vote democratic, it's our best shot.

[Fedya Fussball]

It would be nice to see which lobbyists were supporting the Republicans and who was supporting the Democrats...

The battle in the House pitted two odd coalitions against each other. On one side the lineup featured the Christian Coalition, the Family Research Council, the American Gaming Association and horse track owners. Opposing them were the Justice Department, the Interactive Gaming Council, some of the
nation's governors, libertarians and the Traditional Values Coalition.

Stuck in an unusual middle position: conservative Republicans who oppose all forms of gambling as well as loathe the idea of any government regulation of the Internet.

[Bette Midler]

Fedya...

Actually, you might be surprised by some of the Nay votes on the article. Many of the religious conservative withdrew their support after exemption upon exemption for selective gambling interest were introduced (i.e. state lotteries, horse tracks, etc.) The article ended up looking like a gambling bill for the special interest lining up behind it.

One Nay vote in particular that caught my eye was Bob Barr of Georgia. He is probably the poster boy for the conservative right in the U.S. House (also Larry Flynt's poster boy for hypocrisy in Washington). Barr had been trying to impeach Clinton since high school and led the charge in the Judiciary Committee. It is actually quite interesting to see Bob Barr and Barney Frank on the same side of a vote, albeit for different reasons.

[Fedya Fussball]

Punting the Center:

The special interests have been influencing politicians since back in Roman times...

As you said after each special interest had been given a piece of the cheese, what was left was a poor imitation of swiss cheese.
The gaping holes that were left were so obvious that the conservatives were left bare breasted and butts uncovered!

Historically speaking - Prohibition failed and banning online gaming would face the same consequences. When the US Government finally decides the "If you can't beat them you must
regulate and tax fairly" - Will this be the utopia that this forum is looking for???

Opinions?
FF

[Hamhog]

Fedya,

Not sure US Government regulating and taxing gambling is "utopia". Have done just fine without their BS. Really depends on the taxation level. If it ends up like the tax used on Vegas sportsbooks it would be tolerable. A European style tax would not work.