Tuesday, 30 June 2009
My Problem With Legalizing Gambling
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I could personally care less about gambling. If people want to waste their money on gambling, that doesn't really bother me. In fact if we legalized gambling in this state, it would affect me very little. I would go to the casino about as often as I do know. About once every five years. I just don't have money laying around that I can take and throw away at a casino.
But at the end of the day, it should be up to the people to decide. Our state constitution is very clear on gaming. Anything other than a lottery and that includes slots are unconstitutional. Thus the sham of a bill they tried to pass in the last session would not have survived a legal challenge in the courts. (Another reason the session was a waste) At the same time, I opposed what Williams was trying to do. The Governor didn't put his plan on the agenda so it should never have been addressed. Passing it would have been just as unconstitutional as the slots bill.
Hopefully in January they can come together to find better ways to help the ailing horse industry. And if they still want to pursue slots and gambling then pass a resolution to amend the constitution and put it before the people. Any other sleight of hand method would be clearly unconstitutional.
Now let's turn to my bigger problem with the whole push for gambling. I have some concerns over making gambling constitutional. I think that proponents of gambling overestimate the possible "revenues" and underestimate the costs associated with legalized gambling. Just look at the results of the lottery. Has it been the panacea that it was promoted to be? If it was then we wouldn't be talking about expanded gambling today. I think there have been negative costs associated with the lottery that were downplayed at the time. How many times have you been to a convenient store and see some person who doesn't look like they have much money plopping down $40 or more on lottery tickets? Are we really helping these people by providing them an avenue of false hope in which to pour their money ?
Legalized gambling will just bring more of the same.
At the same time I am believer in freedom. While I might disagree with people throwing their money away seeking nirvana, it is their right to do such a thing. Which is why if the people want gambling then I have no problem with it being legalized. Heck I would actively promote the cause if it wasn't for my biggest concern. The true reason Democrats want to legalize gambling. They are not doing it because of some fundamental right. No. They want to realize a windfall for government. It provides them with an opportunity to enhance money flowing into the state's coffers. Money which will allow them to further enlarge the size of and scope of government. A move that would inevitably encroach and restrict me freedoms.
It is for that reason, that I hope legalized gambling continues to fail in the legislature. If they want my support then they must a) pass an amendment to the constitution and b) make sure it doesn't create a windfall for government. Until that point, I will actively work for its defeat.
But at the end of the day, it should be up to the people to decide. Our state constitution is very clear on gaming. Anything other than a lottery and that includes slots are unconstitutional. Thus the sham of a bill they tried to pass in the last session would not have survived a legal challenge in the courts. (Another reason the session was a waste) At the same time, I opposed what Williams was trying to do. The Governor didn't put his plan on the agenda so it should never have been addressed. Passing it would have been just as unconstitutional as the slots bill.
Hopefully in January they can come together to find better ways to help the ailing horse industry. And if they still want to pursue slots and gambling then pass a resolution to amend the constitution and put it before the people. Any other sleight of hand method would be clearly unconstitutional.
Now let's turn to my bigger problem with the whole push for gambling. I have some concerns over making gambling constitutional. I think that proponents of gambling overestimate the possible "revenues" and underestimate the costs associated with legalized gambling. Just look at the results of the lottery. Has it been the panacea that it was promoted to be? If it was then we wouldn't be talking about expanded gambling today. I think there have been negative costs associated with the lottery that were downplayed at the time. How many times have you been to a convenient store and see some person who doesn't look like they have much money plopping down $40 or more on lottery tickets? Are we really helping these people by providing them an avenue of false hope in which to pour their money ?
Legalized gambling will just bring more of the same.
At the same time I am believer in freedom. While I might disagree with people throwing their money away seeking nirvana, it is their right to do such a thing. Which is why if the people want gambling then I have no problem with it being legalized. Heck I would actively promote the cause if it wasn't for my biggest concern. The true reason Democrats want to legalize gambling. They are not doing it because of some fundamental right. No. They want to realize a windfall for government. It provides them with an opportunity to enhance money flowing into the state's coffers. Money which will allow them to further enlarge the size of and scope of government. A move that would inevitably encroach and restrict me freedoms.
It is for that reason, that I hope legalized gambling continues to fail in the legislature. If they want my support then they must a) pass an amendment to the constitution and b) make sure it doesn't create a windfall for government. Until that point, I will actively work for its defeat.
Posted by at 6:25 PM in Kentucky Politics
My Problem With Legalizing Gambling
legalized gambling in this state, it would affect me very little. I would go to the casino about as often as I do know. About once every five years. I just … Original post by casino - fresh news by plazoo.com and software by