*THIS* is why we need to maximize personal freedom

[Nuclear Unicorn]

Because those who claim to be protecting us will latch on to whatever happens to be the political fad of the day to exploit it for their own interests. Even something as populist as "battling corporate interests" can cloak an effort throw corporate money around to buy congressional votes to protect -- get this -- corporate interests.

Sheldon Adelson Says He Is 'Willing To Spend Whatever It Takes' To Stop Online Gambling

Sheldon Adelson, the nation’s 11th richest person and chief executive of casino company Las Vegas Sands LVS +0.7%, says he is determined to stop online gambling in America and he will go to great lengths to battle the corporate interests pushing for it. “I am willing to spend whatever it takes,” Adelson said in his first interview since The Washington Post revealed that he had hired an army of lawyers and lobbyists to try to convince Congress to ban online gambling. “My moral standard compels me to speak out on this issue because I am the largest company by far in the industry and I am willing to speak out. I don’t see any compelling reason for the government to allow people to gamble on the Internet and nobody has ever explained except for the two companies whose special interest is going to be served if there is gaming on the Internet, Caesars and MGM.”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2013/11/22/sheldon-adelson-says-he-is-willing-to-spend-whatever-it-takes-to-stop-online-gambling/

And if he gets his ban he protects his own little fiefdom which in turn allows him to buy more votes. It's just a different flavor of corporatist fascism. The only antidote is to say this is not the business of the federal government to protect the morality of our souls.

[last1standing]

1. His comments unmask a very disturbing peice of the way his mind works.

He claims he can't "see any compelling reason for the government to allow people to gamble on the Internet..."

Most of us believe the government should need a "compelling reason" to restrict an activity, not to allow it.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. "the government should need a 'compelling reason' to restrict an activity, not to allow it."

EXACTLY!

[Demo_Chris]

2. Regulatory capture. Corporatism at its finest. nt

[TroglodyteScholar]

4. You're right.

I'm leaving to buy a handgun right this moment.