New Pro-Poker Legislation Introduced in Congress
By August Darnell | July 18, 2008
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) has taken a new approach to winning the fight for online poker acceptance in Congress: he has introduced a bill that would not only regulate online gambling, but would also earmark the revenue generated through taxes for programs that would assist U.S. citizens in need.By doing this, Rep. McDermott is likely hoping that many legislators who have previously been opposed to regulation will have trouble voting against the bill, as they would be declining aid to those who need it.
The Human Resources Act of 2008 (H.R. 6501) would funnel revenue, estimated to be as high as $40 billion over the next 10 years, to programs that would provide job training for those in struggling sectors of the economy, as well as educational assistance for foster children.
The legislation would also promote gambling safety and responsibility, which has resulted in it receiving the stamp of approval from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
"We have an ideal opportunity to invest billions of dollars in American workers and our struggling economy without increasing the federal deficit," said Rep. McDermott. "IHRA would utilize a funding stream that would become available should Congress decide to legalize and regulate Internet gambling, which would protect consumers and collect tax revenue that is currently offshore."
Two Democratic leaders are original co-sponsors: Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), who is chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, and Rep. John B. Larson (D-Conn.), vice chair of the Democratic Caucus.
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I hope this legislation passes. I know someone whose passion is poker. He/she has studied game strategies, statistics, psychology, and other related subjects with respect to the Poker. This person is neither addicted nor lacking in judgment with respect to how income is applied and/or wagered. The individual is a perfect match for the profession, e.g. the skills, talent, personality type, work environment, self-motivation and self-monitoring. All of the above characteristics also limit job prospects in other arenas; to seal this arena would burden both nuclear and extended family. This, in turn would ultimately strain a segment of the population as the loss of a vital, hardworking generator of income, good deeds, and philanthropic enterprise would be removed from a diminishing species. The endangered population is that of a healthily functioning socio-economic unit. To bar this person from the pursuit of life (livelihood included), liberty (free enterprise included), and the pursuit of happiness (job qualification included) would be a travesty.
I applaud the proposed use of revenue, however, as an initially skeptical observer of the sport of Poker, I am now convinced that it requires all the admirable traits we find in other sports pros from athletes to Chess champions. I admire this person without reservation or the need to justify how she/he makes his/her money. I still respect the honorable intent to aid those in need, not solely for the following reason, but I happen to be among the ranks of the dirt-poor at present.
Yours Earnestly,
Lynn B. Wright
lynnonethree@gmail.com
Comment by Lynn B. Wright — June 20, 2009 @ 10:31 pm