Americans Don't Want Internet Gambling Ban

[Thomas]

According to a recent CBS poll, 80% of Americans polled said they DID NOT want a ban on Internet Gambling. Food for thought (of course, not that the Republican lawmakers will listen).

[Fishhooks]

Playing to the base. With their poll numbers in the toilet, they're looking for anything to energize the base. This is just the latest issue they are throwing against the wall to see if it will stick. Let's all pray it doesn't. What a bad precedent, to have the government mucking around with internet regulation.

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Fishhooks

Playing to the base. With their poll numbers in the toilet, they're looking for anything to energize the base. This is just the latest issue they are throwing against the wall to see if it will stick. Let's all pray it doesn't. What a bad precedent, to have the government mucking around with internet regulation.

Yeah, I'm surprised they're not going after the porn industry. But I guess gambling has become pretty high profile over the last few years thanks to the explosion of Texas Hold'em. Too bad they're not more concerned about alcoholism and all the lives it destroys. I think that problem is a little more pressing than Internet gambling.

Nobody ever lost $200 at a poker game and then jumped in their car and killed a family of four.

But that's just me. Maybe I'm crazy.

[Lewis]

Alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, gambling, guns...they all CAN destroy lives. But on the other hand, alcohol in moderation has been shown to be beneficial to the heart for years. An argument could be made that gambling provides both entertainment and stress relief for a certain segment of society. I would never dream of saying anything nice about cigarettes, because I'd probably get lynched immediately, but really - who should have the right to tell me I can't smoke a cigarette?

Marijuana is an effective treatment for the nausea associated with some of the medications used to treat AIDS. Author Peter McWilliams literally died in 2000 because the government stopped him from using the marijuana that could have allowed him to continue to take his AIDS medication. Outlawing guns sounds like a great idea, until someone's invading your home.

It's not a question of whether or not the government should be more concerned with the alcohol that destroys lives instead of the gambling that destroys lives; it's a question of the government shouldn't be telling so-called "free" citizens what they can do with their persons or their property. The only time someone's freedom of choice should be restricted is when they start interfering with someone else's freedom of choice. My rights end where your nose begins and my fist ends, in other words.

Anyway, that's just Sunday morning rambling and I haven't even finished a whole cup of coffee yet.

[Thomas]

Well said, Lewis. Nicely done for a Sunday morning rambling.

[Lady_Luck]

Sounds like you should go into politics, Lewis. Or are you already in the field?

As for the topic, count me among those who think an Internet gambling ban is a stupid idea.

[Deuces_Wild]

Yep. Add me to the list as well.