By Alexis Russell

10/17/2008

                Finally there’s a way for US citizens to clearly speak their opinion of our elected representatives on particular issues.  The Poker Players Alliance has given poker players an online voice to speak out to members of Congress loud and clear.  As election day nears all online poker players should be on the new PPA backed site to get a better understanding of who it is representing them

                At www.CongressionalPoker.org poker players will find grades for every member of Congress depending on how they view the rights of poker players.  These are your rights that have been walked over the past few years in regards to online poker.  Even though experts and industry specialist, who aren’t looking out just for online poker but casino poker as well, have debunked the major point against poker, namely that it’s a game of chance not skill, still the government has not taken that into consideration.  Ignoring this fact online poker has remained on the illegal list.

                On the site players can see how all of the representatives stack up and search for their representatives in particular.  But the PPA site goes one critical step further.  From www.CongressionalPoker.org you can then email your representative letting them know directly how you feel about the situation with online poker and what you think about their stance.

                The grades are based on a number of criteria, which include;

Past Votes on the subject

Sponsorship and Co-Sponsorship on Bills

Private Interviews with PPA reps

Public Stance

                Of course a solid grade couldn’t be given for every Representative due to lack of information.  Both Presidential candidates, Obama and McCain, fall into the ungraded category but it seems both don’t mind gambling themselves.  So how do the numbers break down? 

114 Members are Ungraded

122 Members received A’s

42 Members received B’s

98 Members received D’s

153 Members received F’s