I also know little of politics, and I'm only sporadically into video games. So video game legislation is far beyond my realm of interest.

But the described situation does provide for discussion.

I don't see a problem with the required-ratings legislation (besides the cost of time and money, obviously better spent on more urgent problems). In fact, from my understanding it is on gamers' side.

You want to be able to play games with mature themes. I agree this should be allowed. Some parents don't want their little kids playing these games. Fine.

A rating system will help. It exists. It is used.

But no law requires it be used. <-- foreshadowing

Here's a little story to illustrate...

(1) A new company makes a game full of graphic sex and violence, not to mention a 4-letter word in every sentence spoken by the realistically-rendered 3D characters. Clearly the game is worth a purchase.
(2) The company craftily designs the game box with all manner of harmless wholesome cartoon characters. No rating is there to be found.
(3) The kids who read magazines and the Web find out what the game is really like. Naturally, they want it.
(4) Their parents buy it for them because the box looks harmless. The kids only play in their rooms or when their parents aren't around. Often without pants.
(5) The kids show their friends, who also trick their parents into buying it. Many circles of trust are broken.
(6) One day a parent comes home from work early to find a 7-year-old latchkey kid beating up a hooker. Rage ensues.
(7) Parents tell parents. The whole world is mad. Child abuse skyrockets.
(8) Some parents demand that games not be allowed to have this kind of content.
(9) Someone more sensible suggests a rating system be required. The best way to ensure that is to make it law. It is done.
(10) Someone even more sensible says "We knew this was what we needed, why didn't we do this long ago? A temporary lapse in violation does not eliminate the need for law."

Why would the company choose this path? I don't know. People are silly sometimes. They don't think long term. I can't be held accountable for every video game company executive's faulty decision. I just make up the utterly unbelievable stories.

How is the rating issue handled with movies? Is there a law? I never knew or cared.

And what about books? Is no one concerned because no one reads anymore? There is some adult stuff filling up public libraries across the nation. And I've been taking advantage since I was 5.