FreedomAtStake's Blog

Which Candidate Is Best For Me?

By FreedomAtStake | View all Posts
Posted Monday, October 06, 2008 01:19 PM   15 comments
While a lot of my posts tend to factor in political themes as a matter of covering this industry, I usually try to generally avoid outright political commentary.

But as we enter the closing weeks of this election season, I can't deny the fact that I receive a lot of comments and questions asking: "I am a sports gambler, which candidate is best for me?"

So here I go...

Let me start by pointing out that in the larger scheme of issues facing America right now, sports gambling seems pretty insignificant right now.

Between the economic crisis and looming recession, the ever-concerning oil situation, the environment, and  - oh yeah - the war in Iraq, I think that basing your vote upon a candidate's position on online gambling would be a little short-sighted.

But we also can not forget that, in these scary economic times, online gambling offers a positive revenue opportunity for government coffers that simply does not exist anywhere else.

In fact, if you are concerned about the economy right now - and who isn't? - then you should be very interested that PriceWaterhouseCoopers has already completed an analysis stating that legalizing and regulating the online gambling industry would increase federal revenues by as much as $42.8 billion over the next few years.

Yes, that is billion, with a "b".

With those numbers in mind, I think it is simply irresponsible that the current administration has maintained a policy of trying to abolish the industry entirely.

This continually and intentionally missed opportunity sticks out like a sore thumb.

So, the question now becomes: Which party or candidate would be most likely to embrace the online gambling industry and its benefits?

The only way to answer this is to look at the facts. And the facts are very clear.

Without trying to sound too partisan, the only logical answer to the question is: The Democratic Party and Barack Obama.

While I am sure their are dissenting voices in each party, the fact remains that the Republican Party is almost solely responsible for the current state of the online gambling industry.

Let me lay out a few of those facts:

- John McCain's Republican Senatorial cohort in Arizona, Jon Kyl, is the very public face of the anti-online gambling crusade. And it is a crusade too. This is a completely ideologically-driven enterprise. Oblivious of the facts and even suppressing them, Kyl has repeatedly launched or supported ideological legislation that would criminalize or marginalize the industry.

- Republican Bill Frist used highly unethical political maneuvering to ensure the UIGEA was passed into law in 2006 - an event that launched the current Ice Age in the online gambling industry.

- Barney Frank's bill, H.R. 5767, was defeated in committee in a vote that fell along party lines.

... And those are but a few examples of situations where Republican politicians betrayed their free market instincts and instead allowed ideological beliefs to cloud their judgement at the expense of the American people.

Now, you might ask me: What about the Dems and Obama? Are they any better?

Really, I'm not certain. As mentioned above, online gambling is not on the political radar right now, so it is hard to find examples where the Democratic Party or Obama have stated their official policies on the subject.

But it is also a fact that Barney Frank has repeatedly championed this cause, and he is a Democrat. Likewise for Jim McDermott, another Democrat who has pushed for legalization.

So while Barack Obama himself may not have a strong opinion about online gambling, it is clear that other members of his party are more inclined to lean towards legalization.

And what about McCain? Isn't he a known gambler who has spent extensive time playing craps in casinos?

Absolutely! In fact, McCain's propensity for gambling was one of his traits that used to attract me to him. Likewise, he has distanced himself in the past from Jon Kyl's ridiculous anti-online gambling crusade. Another reason to like McCain. In previous elections, he was my preferred candidate.

However, anybody who has followed McCain in the past year or two has noticed a real hardening of his extreme right-wing rhetoric. As he has embraced the extreme right, it becomes very hard to believe that he would be able to maintain their support and still accept the idea of legalizing an activity that goes against their beliefs.

Now, some conservatives are clinging to the idea that McCain is only embracing the evangelical crowd in an attempt to grab their votes, and if he wins the presidency he will revert back to his old maverick self and make sensible decisions. Thus, they feel he would look at the facts and legalize online gambling as a sensible solution.

To those people I ask: Are you really sure McCain is going to change? His campaign has already exhibited an alarming number of gaffes and questionable decisions that are a far cry from the sensible man who campaigned in 2000. What makes you think this guy will be able to reclaim his identity? Maybe he HAS changed for real?

So I am going to end this by reiterating the point I made at the start of this post...

This election is probably (and hopefully) the most important election we will see in our lifetimes. The current administration has managed to ruin pretty much everything they have touched. The economy, the environment, Iraq, health care, oil prices, jobs, etc., are all issues in dire need of competent attention.

America needs to be fixed, and online gambling is one of the least important issues to be worrying about - even if it promises a much-needed boost to federal revenues.

However, if you have looked at the facts surrounding those issues and still find yourself on the fence, then I would suggest that the Democratic Party and Barack Obama, appear to offer a more positive outlook for the online gambling industry.

So if online gambling is the swing issue for you, cast your vote accordingly.

15 comments
comment Post A Comment
Emmittrudd says:
10/07/08 10:21AM
Who in their right mind can say with a straight face Sarah Palin is capable of being President. What a joke the Republican party has turned into....
duckie says:
10/07/08 02:48PM
Emmitt, I guess the same fools that think a Muslim Marxist with no qualifications whatsoever ( other than being a good speaker) is qualified.
rick3117 says:
10/07/08 06:48PM
*zing
JMatthew says:
10/07/08 06:58PM
Well gosh darn it Duckie! What a great talking point. We sure could you some more straight talk doncha know!
maddbeale says:
10/07/08 07:00PM
the best way to destroy a country is attacking from within. Obama could be a chosen stooge for something far worse than we have ever seen. Believe me when I say this, as a balck man, Obama is the choice of Al - Queida. Choose wisely or reap what you sow. First and foremost, national security should be the #1 priority for everyone. If we are attacked again like 9-11, no one will be talking about the economy.
RissyGold says:
10/07/08 11:53PM
The Republican's already won...the "bailout" was passed last week. It's just a matter of who is going to clean it up. Don't be fooled - McCain picked Palin for a reaon, to lose the election. He is the Republican sacrifice and he knows it. He's getting out of politics in a martyr-style exit. Obama will win, but his first year or more will be Republican clean up as opposed to bring his own platform to Congress and House. He also knows what he's getting into.

Marxist? OMG, seriously. Duckie, so you believe that Obama belives in a belief that capitalism is based on the exploitation of workers by the owners of the means of production?? Obama does bring a sense of Socialism to health care, but nothing more than that. Good Goobers man, Lee Harvey Oswald considered himself a student of Marxism - a Muslim man and a redneck shooter coming together...just like the Michael Jackson "Ebony and Ivory living together in perfect harmony"!

I am voting for the Feng Shui candidate...peace and tranquillity and a bonzi plant for all.

kelly2 says:
10/08/08 05:13AM
For those who wish to have the good ole U.S.A.

return to being a proud country the choice is obvious

Liberatarian Party

Presidential Candidate Bob Barr

Vice - Presidential Candidate Wayne Allyn Root

Since Mr. Root was not invited to the Vice Presidential Debate

may I recommend/suggest checking out Mr Roots website

Get a feel for this candidate

and his opinions on the recent vice-presidential debate

Elect

Bob Barr

FreedomAtStake says:
10/08/08 08:03AM
kelly2,

You are preaching to the wrong crowd.

Users of this site - and this industry - are unfortunately more than familiar with the history of Mr. Wayne Root.

Maybe his pitchman style works with non-gamblers, which I doubt - but he's definitely screwed over thousands of sports gamblers who have learned the low-level ethics of that man. He makes Sarah Palin look like Abraham Lincoln in comparison of "fitness for the office of president".

KeyElement says:
10/08/08 09:21AM
The real danger in this election is not either of the candidates. The real danger lies in giving the winner a congress of the same party. When either the democrats or republicans control both the White House and Congress they immediately claim to have a "mandate" from the people demanding the action they campaigned for. Neither party ever realizes they sometimes win because they are perceived as the lesser of two evils.

Here, there and everywhere you can read the rants and raves of ignorant, foolish people that believe one party or the other will act in the best interests of the country. That simply is not going to happen, not in our lifetimes and probably never. Blame the politicians and parties if you wish, but the fact of the matter is that the voters will do what they have done for many, many years, vote for the fellow that promised to take care of YOU. The guy that most convincingly promises two chickens in every pot and two cars in every garage wil carry the day. It's YOU, it's AMERICA, and noone votes against his own belly or bank account.

Cynical, yes, but gleaned from a 63 year life of watching it repeat itself, election after election and generation after generation. Since those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, this election will be no different.

On the positive side, the ranters and ravers that make the most asinine and ridiculous comments are not to be feared. Since they are members of the far left or right they neutralize each other and let the twenty percent of those in the middle, the twenty percent that actually pay attention to the issues, do the actual deciding, by swinging states and congressional districts one way or the other. When two equally ignorant contributors attempt to argue conservatism versus liberalism in a form such as this we should not be concerned.

As of the debate last night, Tuesday October 7, my vote is with Obama. Both candidates offered little that was new or surprising but I, personally, very much shared his views on Pakistan. We have propped up a dictator for 7 long years that should have given us bin Laden's head on a platter long ago. Pakistan is not America and we must realize that the concept of establishing a democracy in a culture that has no eperience with democracy is very close to impossible. Dictators and military juntas have always done well in that atmosphere and they are the ones that must be made to realize we are done kissing their arses and throwing money at them unless we get what we want, bin Laden.

That being said, let me also state that I believe Obama will win handily, it's not even going to be close. McCain has no brilliant bombs in his arsenal and campaigning against a much younger man the next 26 days is going to take a heavy toll on a 72 year old man grasping for straws at the end of his political career.

That being said, also let me state that I ABHOR the idea of a House and Senate led by the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. To give Obama a Congress full of special interest partisans would be a horrible harbinger of what legislation is to follow.

Do not fear the presidential winner. Fear the "mandate" America.

sergio1994 says:
10/08/08 02:57PM
I agree. I usually vote for balance, tend to vote democratic for President and republican for representatives. In this election however, the alternative for my district is a social conservative. Not really what I was looking for. If you're not impressed by either candidate locally, vote Libertarian.
damonte says:
10/09/08 02:47PM
Shouldn't the question be "What's right for my country?"
kelly2 says:
10/12/08 02:38AM
Freedomatstake,

You sir

Need to stick to the topic at hand

Sorry,

I thought the question raised here had a little something to do with politics

and

Not wether or not

Mr Root can pick a spread winner

even with the final score already in

and a calculator at his hand to figure out the spread winner

tommybahama says:
10/13/08 03:36PM
Are We Crazy?

You think the war in Iraq is costing us toomuch? Read this:

Boy am I confused. I have been hammered with thepropaganda that it is the Iraq war and the war on terror that isbankrupting us at $125 Billion A Year...

I hope the following 14 reasons are forwarded over andover again until they are read so many times that the reader gets sick ofreading them. I have included the URL's for verification of all thefollowing facts.

1. $11Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year.

Verifyat: http://tinyurl.com/zob77 <http://tinyurl.com/zob77>

2. $22 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such asfood stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.

Verifyat: http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html<http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html>

3. $2.5 Billion dollars ayear is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.

Verifyat:http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html<http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html>

4. $12 Billion dollars ay ear is spent on primary and secondary school education for children hereillegally and they cannot speak a word of English!

Verifyat:http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html>

5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-bornchildren of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies.

bsp; Verifyat: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html>

6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens.

Verifyat:http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html>

7. 30% percent of allFederal Prison inmates are illegal aliens.

Verifyat: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html>

8. $90 Billion Dollars ayear is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare & social services by theAmerican taxpayers.

Verifyat:http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html<http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html>

9. $200 BillionDollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens.

Verifyat:http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html>

10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate th at's two and ahalf times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, theirchildren, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in theUS

Verifyat:http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html>

11 During the year of2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Borderalso, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millionsof pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana, crossed into the U. Sfrom the Southern border.

Verifyat: Homeland Security Report:http://tinyurl.com/t9sht <http://tinyurl.com/t9sht>

12. The National Policy Institute, 'estimated that the total cost of massdeportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost ofbetween $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.'

Verifyat:http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf<http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf>

13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to theircountries of origin.

Verifyat:http://www.rense.com/general75/nihthtm<http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm>

14. 'The DarkSide of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by IllegalImmigrants In The United States .'

Verify at: http://www.drdskcom/articleshtml <http://www.drdsk.com/articleshtml>

The total cost is a whopping $ 338.3 BILLION DOLLARS AYEAR. Are we THAT stupid?

If this doesn't bother you then just delete themessage. If, on the other hand, if it does raise the hair on the back ofyour neck, I hope you forward it to every legal resident in the countryincluding every representative in Washington, D.C. - five times a week for aslong as it takes to restore some resemblance of intelligence in our policiesand enforcement thereof.

mixnuts says:
10/14/08 01:40AM
what's the Odds, I got OBOMA +210

Starting to really like my chances.

Plus I THINK he has got to be better then the "Old Guy"

esp. every time heis making a speach I can always finish he sentences why dosn't someone tell him to change it up a bit, same with that "hot Lady" runningmate, nice mate to run in the heyyyy with" As long as she dosn't speak.

I would like to ask mcCane questions,:

I'd ask, Hey what will youdo the 1st. time a "Port Bully" Bill comes acrosss your desk? Then I'd ask her, Hey Sarra, I was woundering Who Is The Man in This Race Tat has Ever Fought For Us? That would be funny... OBOMA +210 line is dropping. lol

mixnuts says:
10/14/08 01:43AM
but, serious which one would support online gambling NOW Thats Important, to me For Sure, Serious, Covers Do You Guys Have Any Info On That, That Maybe what Swings Me. I would thing Oboma as long he can Tax It Big.
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