" Crooked Game!"

Over the course of my life I have done many different things, one of them is engaging in many games of chance. The wise gambler always knows the nature of the other players at the table. If I learned anything about gambling it is never sit in a game with complete strangers, or those people you only know through reputation. This axiom doesn't apply to controlled situations as in Las Vegas or Reno; their tables are legitimate and well policed. The games I am speaking of are the "private" games organized by a third party and are usually fairly high stakes. If you are in a game where the "pot" is only around $100 it is not likely you will be fleeced; but if it's serious money it's best to know the game and the other players.

A crooked game is usually a "set-up" to take one "mark" and cheat him over the course of an evening; an evening is usually at least 14 hours but can last the duration of a couple of days. Good cheaters will operate like surgeons, slowly separating the victim from his bankroll with dexterous dealing of the cards mixed with liquor, food, and boisterous conversation. In a well managed game the "mark" will walk away feeling he just had a bad night, a poor run of luck. The "mark" will be totally clueless to the fact that he has been plucked like a chicken by experts, he may even ask when the next game will be so he can try to get even!

Yesterday America was sitting in at a rigged game. The "Host" of the game opened up with a smile and a hearty welcome to the "marks", who were lured into the game with the promise it would be fair and honestly run. All of the "Host's" cohorts greeted their victims with cordiality. The cards were then dealt around the table and the "dance" began. Being a game with open hands the "marks" were easily pulled in believing there was no way they were being set-up. Hours went by with the simulation of "give and take" given by the "ring leader". In the end though the "mark" left the table with nothing but the assurance that they were played like a violin in front of the entire nation.

Obama's health-care summit was a sham, no real intention of reconciliation was ever present. Mr. Obama's disrespect for John Mc Cain was an insult and showed his total disregard for any opposing views. In the end he issued his "veiled threat"; that one way or another, in four to six weeks he expected a health-care reform bill to be on his desk.

Obama's invitation was an exercise in futility, and he knew it before it started. America's will means nothing to our current President. I don't know if Obamacare can be stopped. All the compromise was treated as an irritant by the democrats, their minds were set before they sat down. America it was a "rigged game" and we were the "marks". How many more times will we be taken in? America we need to walk away from the table, our President has "stacked the deck"!