Big Names Joining PPA at the CPAC in Washington
It seems like even with the UIGEA deadline 4 months away, and the mad scramble the last time it was about to take effect to give a six month “research” extension, no one really wants to talk about this. There are countless news stories talking about how big names are for legalizing online poker (and taxing it), and an equal number vilifying it and are anxious for the UIGEA to take effect.
Well, all that being said, the Conservative Political Action Conference started on February 18, and in attendance were the PPA (Poker Player Alliance), including Greg Raymer. Their goal is to help some pretty big names on the conservative side of politics see that Online gambling is good, and government telling you when and where you can spend your money is a bad thing. But the ultimate goal is to get more politicians and people with influence (including Mitt Romney, Ann Coulter and Glen Beck) on their side.
“I think a true conservative is someone who wants little or no government in his life,” Raymer told Card Player after attending the 2009 conference. “He doesn’t want the government to tell him what to do.” The PPA will argue that is exactly what the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which is due to go into effect on June 1, is trying to do by prohibiting credit-card companies from processing certain types of financial transactions. “Certainly someone who’s a good conservative is going to say that if it’s an activity that is engaged by an adult who is mentally competent, if they’re not hurting other people, I’m just going to have to … let them do it,” said Raymer.
It’ll be interesting to see if there is another extension to UIGEA come June 1, or if they will just scrap it and start over.
