Make it payable to Barney Frank

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank let it be known on Wednesday that he is thinking about a bill to repeal last fall's ban on online gambling.

The congressman's spokesman, Steven Adamske, said Rep. Frank is considering legislation, though he hasn't drafted a bill and he has no timetable for action. He's still thinking it over.

Apparently Chairman Frank has decided to furnish his office with bales of hundred-dollar bills.

The chairman could have made a principled statement that he opposes the federal government's intrusive meddling into the online recreational activities of U.S. citizens. But he didn't. Public office isn't about principle. It's about fund-raising.

How much money will Chairman Frank raise from the Internet gambling companies that saw their stock prices collapse when Republicans mistakenly thought the GOP base would be energized by a firm moral stand against online poker?

Will he enjoy cashing their checks as much as he'll enjoy cashing the checks from the anti-gambling moralists who also oppose gay rights?

Only he knows.

Will he take everybody's money and then turn the online gambling ban into a patchwork of regulations that can be endlessly amended and adjusted whenever Chairman Frank needs a cash infusion?

Bet on it.


Copyright 2007

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