We've posted a brand-new letter to Congress. It takes less than 60 seconds to send, and it's customizable if you choose to do so, so please take a moment to stand up for your rights. It's at http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/home/

And, please digg at http://digg.com/..._Writing_to_Congress

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As a constituent, voter, and poker player, I am writing to tell you that I am outraged that the House Financial Services Committee refused to pass H.R. 5767, the Payments System Protection Act. Rather than respecting our freedoms as Americans, some in Congress instead chose to pander to extremists who want the federal government to censor my Internet access and dictate to me what I may do in my own home. Congress also deputized banks to police this - as if banks have nothing better to do than monitor how I choose to spend my recreational dollars.

To correct this outrage, I ask that you support proposed legislation that clearly exempts the great game of poker from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA). H.R. 2610, the Skill Game Protection Act, clarifies federal law by expressly exempting games of skill like poker from UIGEA. H.R. 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, regulates online poker via stringent licensing regulations for poker site operators. Both bills have rigorous safeguards against participation by those who are underage as well as by those with excessive gaming habits. And, neither H.R. 2610 nor H.R. 2046 forces any state to permit online poker - states can opt out if they wish. Finally, I ask that you support H.R. 5767 and push for a new vote, or take decisive action to clarify that the UIGEA does not apply to games of skill like poker, before the widely criticized proposed regulations are finalized.

Despite over-the-top and blatantly false rhetoric regarding Internet poker used to defeat H.R. 5767 during the Committee mark-up, safeguards to prevent children and those with excessive gaming habits from accessing Internet poker sites will work. In fact, a recent study from respected academics at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Nevada found that U.S. regulation of Internet poker provides the greatest opportunity to protect consumers from potential pitfalls of online gaming. The current laws, including UIGEA, do nothing to protect children and those with excessive gaming habits. Plain and simple, attempts at prohibition will continue to be failed policy, but licensing and regulation will result in positive social and public policy outcomes.

What's most important to me is your support for my rights. This support will certainly play a part in my decision on whom to vote for this November. Please respond to this letter and let me know if you will support my freedoms. I will be watching your actions on this issue closely. I hope that I, along with my over one million fellow Poker Players Alliance members, can count on your support.

It is important that we all write, for a number of reasons. One is that PPA has lobbyists in D.C., and they need these letters to be sent to show that we poker players care about our rights. Another is that our opponents are very vocal. We need to counteract that by making noise of our own. So, please send the letter. Thanks!

Sent. Keep it up Engineer!!

Hey Engineer,

I'm happy to send this letter but who do we need to send it to? US SEnators, House of Reps, State Officials? I'm a total donk when it comes to politics so I haven't a clue.

 

Originally Posted by TheVillageGrinder

Hey Engineer,

I'm happy to send this letter but who do we need to send it to? US SEnators, House of Reps, State Officials? I'm a total donk when it comes to politics so I haven't a clue.

It automatically sends it to your representatives if you fill out the correct address info.

 

Originally Posted by MUPokerPlayer

<table align="center" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Confirmation</td></tr><tr><td><span> Your e-mail message was sent to: </span> </td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Christopher S. Bond (R-MO) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Claire C. McCaskill (D-MO) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Representative Kenny C. Hulshof (R-MO 9th)</span></td></tr></table>

Nice work engineer. Well written letter.

Thanks!

Sent to my representatives in Iowa!

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center"><tr><td><span>Your e-mail message was sent to: </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Representative Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL 9th)</span></td></tr></table>

Sent. I'm hoping everyone on here will send especially those complaining about payment processors being shut down.

Thanks Engineer.

Perfect thread, I was just about to start the exact same one.

Please everyone, write your rep!

<span> Your e-mail message was sent to: </span> <span> Mitchell Daniels (R-IN)</span>

<span>Thank you for your message to Congressman Donnelly (D-IN)
</span>

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center"><tr><td><span>Your e-mail message was sent to: </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Representative David Wu (D-OR 1st)</span></td></tr></table>

Glad to see someone be proactive, wants me to help out. TYTYTY much!

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center"><tr><td><span>Your e-mail message was sent to: </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Representative Nick J. Rahall II (D-WV 3rd) </span></td></tr></table>

*sent

<table align="center" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Confirmation</td></tr><tr><td><span> Your e-mail message was sent to: </span> </td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Representative Melvin L. Watt (D-NC 12th)</span></td></tr></table>

Great Job!
<table align="center" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><span> Your e-mail message was sent to: </span> </td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) </span></td></tr><tr><td><span> Representative Al Green (D-TX 9th)</span></td></tr></table>