House Proposes Legalizing, Taxing Online Gambling

eldavojohn writes "Passed in 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act is set to go into effect June 1. New efforts by Democrats in the House of Representatives aim not only to stop that but to legalize and tax Internet gambling. Jim McDermott (D-WA), said, 'This is a huge boon to the state governments. If you look across the country you're seeing programs cut. In Arizona, they just cut out a program for children's health for 40,000 kids. Here's a source of money.' Basically, the bill proposes that for each state, a 6% cut would be taken from all wagers and go to the state in which the bet was made online, while federal would get 2%. They estimate in the next decade this would amount to $30 billion for state and tribal governments and $42 billion for the federal government in new taxes. Banks and casinos appear to be very much on board, while the usual crowd (Republicans, Focus on the Family, Think of the Children) gathered in opposition to the move."

Comments

Re:Interesting POV for problems in arizona.

[Attila Dimedici]

What changes place Arizona in a negative light? The only thing I have heard about Arizona lately is that they have decided to protect their citizens against illegal aliens, since the federal government won't. Every place I have seen it discussed by regular citizens (as opposed to the special interest groups and hard-core Democrats--most reporters) it has been viewed as a positive.

Re:Can someone explain to me ..

[XxtraLarGe]

Yeah, we all lie a little every day...but where does that "not harming people" standard stop so that we tell the truth - which may hurt - and a little temporary harm leads to long-term healing?

You're not going to win that argument on this site (see Matthew 7:6). For some reason, people equate being honest with being rude. The classic example is the trap question used earlier. If your wife/girlfriend is fat, and they ask if their clothing makes them look fat, you should be able to answer "no" without any reservation. The truth is, their clothing doesn't make them look fat, they are fat. Now, if you are asked by your fat wife/girlfriend, "do you think I need to start working out" you should be able to phrase your answer in a way that is both gentle and true. If you lie to someone who is overweight, they may continue on in their destructive behavior, and you've done them more harm by lying to them than telling them the truth.