Is Gambling the New Political Fundraiser?
Philadelphia, PA
July 4, 2009
World Press Association
The new ‘third party’ calling itself the Practical Party , has announced a controversial new method for raising funds today; online gambling. They will be using the methodology behind sports betting to allow customers to bet on politics. A person can go the website, and either search for a politician or bill by name, or pick one off of the board and then bet on the outcome.
I caught up with party founder, Ben Frank, in Atlantic City where he was promoting the Practical Party. He explained, “People want to support their nation, and they want to get something back, and they like to gamble. This gives them all three. The money they lose supports the party, and the money they win supports them. So they help the party and each other at the same time. Plus, it brings excitement into the usually dull political process. I mean, who wants to follow H.R. 19127? Or Rep. Johnson as he filibusters the right to filibuster? But if you have money on it, now it is interesting. I bet C-SPAN’s ratings go way up as a result. What’s more, we don’t owe a debt to any donors.”
When asked why the future of our nation wasn’t exciting enough, Mr. Frank had no answer. Nor do he respond directly to a question that pointed out that we already have money in the game in the form of taxes. He simply waved it off and replied, “Your talking about esoteric ideals that most people can’t relate to, this is real, hands-on stuff.”
The gambling fundraiser has been active for 2 weeks and has raised over $30,000.00 dollars so far. They have paid out only $2000.00 in winnings at the time this article went to print. Their online membership list is currently at 2500 signatures.
When asked about his party’s platform, Mr. Frank gave one of his few straight answers. “The party has a 5 point platform: 1) Lawyers should not be allowed to be politicians as it is a conflict of interest, 2) enact the Fair Tax, 3) pass the balanced budget amendment, 4) limit our military to the defense of the borders of the United States, and 5) remove all redundant operations from the government. Doing those 5 things will dramatically reduce corruption and spending in the United States government and allow the people to get back to the business of building a great civilization.”
Fundraising efforts appear to be for the 2012 election, although they currently have no candidates, nor are they registered in any states as a recognized political party. Mr. Frank claims the money he is raising is to support organizing that effort. However, with $30 thousand already in the bank, one has to wonder what they are waiting on.
JD Adler
WPA