The new PPA letter to Congress is out, at http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersallian...ertid=11248186 . Please send, and please have your spouse/S.O., family, and friends pitch in as well. And, if you disagree philosophically with part of it, just edit it, but please let Congress know you want your freedom. Thanks!

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I am a constituent, voter, and poker player asking for your support. Specifically, I ask that you introduce and support legislation that clearly exempts games of skill like poker from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).

UIGEA's sole purpose was to prohibit financial transactions related to gaming unlawful UNDER OTHER LAWS. Online poker should not have been affected nationwide, as federal case law has consistently held that the Wire Act of 1961 applies only to sports betting, and as only a handful of states have any laws against Internet poker. However, UIGEA has nonetheless impacted my ability to access and patronize some online poker sites. There were several bills introduced in the last Congress that clearly excluded poker from UIGEA while providing for sensible regulation of the industry. To rectify the current online poker situation, I ask that you introduce and support similar legislation in the 111th Congress.

Sensible regulation will allow the Congress to mandate rigorous safeguards against underage participation and protections for those with excessive gaming habits while providing consumer protections for the millions of Americans who play online poker every day. Regulation will also allow American gaming companies to participate in the world's Internet gaming market, bringing needed jobs to America. Internet censorship and an unenforceable, unpopular prohibition provide none of these benefits. All censorship and prohibition can do is drive players underground or overseas while limiting my personal freedom.

Our nation's financial institutions have repeatedly warned that UIGEA is overly broad, and that the lack of definition in the law could result in the disruption of lawful financial transactions. Indeed, with regulators, legislators and financial institutions all warning that UIGEA is unenforceable, and with the need for banks to focus on our economic recovery, it is difficult to imagine why some in Congress continue to insist that the banking system be used to "police" a legitimate game of skill like online poker.

Poker is a proud American tradition. Presidents such as FDR and Harry Truman, Chief Justices such as William Rehnquist and William Howard Taft, members of Congress, generals, and everyday Americans have enjoyed poker for more than 150 years. It is an honorable game that I am proud to play.

What's most important to me is your support for my rights. Please respond to this letter and let me know 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.

Thank you for your consideration.