<p>anyone know how when can find out how to email/regular mail our congressmen about this? this is rediculous. Like EddieO said, we can send an 18 year old to Iraq but he can't play poker? Come on.</p>

<p>  The Constitution and our federal government were both intended to provide protection to those who were not reasonably able to protect themselves. No law should infringe upon any individual's liberties unless in the course of exercising those liberties the rights and freedoms of others are affected. child pornography is prohibited not because it is morally wrong to partake, even though most would agree that it is, but because the production of such materials infringe on the rights of the children subjected to the abuses. It has been legislated that those over the age of 18 are able to give that consent, therefore regardless of moral issues the production of 18+ content is legal. </p>
<p>  The point is that gambling by any persons under the age of 18 is not permitted anywhere inside the US. With that said I pose this... whether poker is gambling or a skill game, the government has no right or foundation to deny any citizen the liberty to do so at their discretion. The  act of online poker does not infringe on any right or liberties guaranteed to our citizens by our constitution and therefore should not be denied. </p>
<p>  The problem is not our government or our constitution, it lies within those men and women holding office having decided that they can regulate the moral decisions of others based on the beliefs held by what they claim to be the majority. This concept is not new you will find it well documented in the history books. However translated it is either socialism or communism and not democracy. Our government exists to protect the individuals that make up our great land. A government by the people, for the people, of the people... a democratic nation that is sworn in writing to protect the inalienable rights of the citizens it is composed of. It is not responsible for the regulation of morals, that argument is clearly defined by the separation of church and state. So please, as patriots, offer me your thoughts and ideas for action. </p>

<p>@Jlivey:</p>
<p>Yes, you volunteered to go, and the government had no problem at all in letting YOU make the decision whether or not you wanted to put your life at risk for your country.</p>
<p>And yet they claim that we you unable to control yourself in matters of how you spend your own money, and that the government must protect you from yourself.</p>
<p>And that is the inherent hypocrisy with our government. We the people are able, and intelligent when it serves them, but helpless and reckless when it does not.</p>

<p>None are so blind as those who will not see.</p>
<p>To all the Nazi Morals Police: You ain't gonna stop squat no matter what you do, no matter how much you spend, no matter how long you keep fighting the will of the American people to be free to spend their money on what they want to spend it on.....</p>

<p>IceVenom.. actually they do have a proper argument regarding underage people gambling.  </p>
<p>Im willing to bet that are a lot of under 18 people who are members of P5's that play online poker.</p>
<p>Just because the gambling sites TOS say 18 or 21 isnt going to stop a 15 or 16 year old from playing online.</p>
<p>Just saying. </p>

<p>^^^^ i agree </p>

<p>I mean it sounds like their whole argument is "we won't let adults gamble because it might affect the children."  Give me a break.  How about we don't allow adults to drink alcohol or smoke or anything else that might influence children.  </p>
<p>Trust me, I'm all about protecting kids, but I don't think adults should lose their freedom over it.  This is so retarded.</p>

<p>there are a number of watchdog organization that will be happy to provide a full list not to mention all votes are a matter of public record. ill see what i can find but im willing to bet the ppa is going to have it available soon. </p>

<p>Hmmm... I can jump in my car and drive a half hour to an "Indian" casino. I can go to Nevada to a casino, or even (not that I care to) a legal whorehouse. But in the privacy of my own home, I cannot play poker? I'm not a child and my offspring are no longer children. My money is all legally earned and fully taxed... I can (and do) buy alcohol, tobacco, and firearms legally. I can buy dangerous drugs, prescribed by a doctor, legally. But I cannot participate in a voluntary, non-violent recreation of my own choosing and within the privacy of my own home because someone else might have an addictive personality and foul up his own life? </p>
<p>I'm fed up with "for the children". I was a child once myself, for about as many years as any other human being (although, apparently, congresscritters tend to remain children throughout their lives), and now I'm about as grown up as any other adult. Let me live my own life, free from the interference of those who mistakenly believe it is their duty and obligation to be my mommy and keep me out of trouble.</p>
<p>"Land of the free" my hairy ass!</p>

<p>I just watched some of the proceedings with various people. These people speaking out against this bill either don't have a clue or live some very sheltered lives or both.</p>

<p>Hey guys, see the full vote list on my blog, with direct link to representatives contact information.  Please contact your representative and let them know you are a proud poker player!</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://legalonlinepoker.blogspot.com/">legalonlinepoker.blogspot.com</a></p>
<p>Isaac</p>

<p>I just watched the video and the ending is retarded.  The whole part about the "no's" outweighed the "i's" is an exaggeration.  He asks "all in favor say I" and you have a number of people say I.  Then he asks "all those opposed say no" and you have about the same number of people yell at the top of their lungs "no."  Just because they were louder doesn't make it a majority.  It's so retarded and all the people there are all joking around like this isn't even an important issue.</p>

<p>     this country will NEVER regulate online gaming IMO. i have accepted this fact, and my thoughts are 'accept it and hope status quo continues. we are playing, depositing, and withdrawing despite the fact that its illegal.</p>
<p>     my local congressman is a 'friend' of the 'family'. he reports that it is washington's feelings that online gaming is run by international criminals, with rigged software, and questionable associations/business practices.</p>
<p>     it will remain the official stance of the majority of politicians until the sites/thier lobbyists buy a group of US politicians favor. thus is the state of American politics.</p>

<p>I counted y-32, n-31.</p>
<p>What gives?</p>