A risky gamble?

OPINION:

Richard Cumberland, bishop of Peterborough and 17th-century English philosopher, wrote, “Games of chance are traps to catch school boy novices and gaping country squires, who begin with a guinea and end with a mortgage.”

Now, of course, gambling ensnares far more than young boys and amazed country folk but the effects remain the same. It is a particularly destructive addiction, falsely leading people to believe that if they just bet on one more game they will turn a profit. In reality, many destroy their finances, their marriages and their lives.

Recognizing the destructive nature of gambling, Congress enacted anti-gambling regulations in late 2006. The regulations were intended to curb online gambling by requiring banks and credit-card companies to block payments by Americans to overseas Internet gambling sites. Two years later, the Treasury Department still is trying to devise a way to implement the law.

In the meantime, gambling interests have come back with a vengeance. Roll Call newspaper reports that last year the Poker Players Alliance spent $900,000 for the services of former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, New York Republican, its chief lobbyist, while the Interactive Gaming Council paid $1.28 million and Party-Gaming $1.69 million for lobbyists from more than eight separate firms.

More important, advocates of online gambling have the support of key members of the House of Representatives. House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, Massachusetts Democrat, has introduced H.R. 2406 to repeal the ban and decriminalize online gambling by creating an “Internet Gambling Licensing Program.”

According to Roll Call, Mr. Frank and Rep. Peter King, New York Republican and a high-ranking member of the committee who also supports repeal, recently sent a letter to their colleagues asking them to endorse the legislation. In response, Rep. George Miller, California Democrat, a leading House member, agreed to co-sponsor it.

Also, last week the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology held a hearing on whether the regulations offer “burden without benefit.” The consensus among lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee is that they do.

One may wonder why there is such a push to legalize a destructive behavior. The primary reason appears to be money. Democrats, who currently control Congress, are operating under pay-as-one-goes budget rules. Rep. James McDermott, Washington Democrat, has introduced H.R. 5523 to “regulate and tax Internet gambling.” Mr. McDermott estimates the tax will generate anywhere from $3.1 billion to $15.2 billion in its first five years.

Ironically, Mr. Frank is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1170, the Comprehensive Awareness of Problem Gambling Act of 2007, of which the stated purpose is to “address problem gambling” by requiring “the secretary of health and human services to carry out a national campaign to increase knowledge and raise awareness of problem gambling.” Clearly, then, Mr. Frank recognizes what a destructive social behavior gambling is. Yet he seems determined to enact legislation to legalize it.

The purpose of law in human society is, among other things, to “promote the general welfare” of society, as the United States Constitution duly notes in its Preamble. It seems Congress has removed itself from such a role. Instead, our elected officials have come to value tax dollars higher than a healthy society.

Of course, such revenue then can be used to fund beloved social programs which deprive individuals of their self-respect and independence but provide lawmakers with solid voting blocs intent on keeping the “free” cash flowing their way.

These gambling measures should be opposed vigorously by all American citizens concerned about maintaining healthy communities. If we did not we would share the responsibility for the financial and relational destruction that so frequently occurs in gambling’s wake.

Paul M. Weyrich is chairman and chief executive officer of the Free Congress Foundation.