In only a few hours, I will stop in my local polling place on the way to work and vote. And one thing I will vote for here in New York State is proposition 1 to authorize casino gaming. I urge the rest of you too. First off, bans on personal liberties do not belong in the state constitution. A constitution should be to grant or protect freedoms. Casino gaming regulation should be up to communities and be in the laws of city/county/state. And yes, I feel that I should be able to spend my money as I please and decide which games I enjoy and play. Secondly, is there gambling addiction? Of course. But most people who participate play within their means. The reckless or careless behavior of the few should not affect the freedoms of the many. I count myself among the many. Third, if you want to prohibit casino gambling, then perhaps you should prohibit all gambling. The house edge on casino games range from near zero (blackjack and odds bets in craps) to 16-17% (money wheel, hardways craps bets, other specialty bets). The house edge on lotteries however run 40-60% yet these are OK. How so? Actually, if we pick and choose, perhaps replace lottery with casino gaming. Its a better return, dollar for dollar, to the player. Fourth, for all the talk on permitting or prohibiting the vice of gambling, then perhaps the vices of drinking and smoking should be banned as well. I mean consider- you smoke too much, you get lung cancer and croak. Your second hand smoke can harm others as well. You drink too much, you get cirrhosis and croak, or worse, you get behind the wheel and imperil others. You gamble too much, you will have problems for sure but wont croak in vast majority of situations. So the least lethal of the vices becomes the most worrisome to allow people to participate. I dont follow the logic. Fifth, I put forth that if you oppose prop 1 but participate in any form of gambling, whether as a player, employee or game organizer, then you are a hypocrite. If you oppose gaming, then you need to renounce that activity for yourself, to gain any semblance of credibility. Are you willing to make that sacrifice to back your cause? Sixth, as for the wording on the ballot being allegedly in favor of the measure due to stating what the purpose is for, thats a matter of interpretation. I do favor it because I argue that with its passage, then the proceeds of gaming can ONLY be used for the stated objectives. If the state diverts money elsewhere, then it would be clearly illegal because it is against the proposition stipulations. So I feel the wording is fair game. Seventh, Id like to see evidence of increased crime in surrounding communities because of casinos. I do not see any correlation in Saratoga, Oneida or Akwesasne. As for Niagara Falls, that city has actually been cleaned up somewhat downtown since the Seneca property was developed. Eighth, I am a practicing Christian and I believe in God. My religious beliefs are not affected by my luck at cards. Aside from the possible interpretation in the Gospel of moneychangers in the temple that games of chance are included, I do not know of any other divine law or teaching specifically against games of chance. This is to refute any claim by religious interests tying gambling with lack of faith. Ninth, if gambling is to be banned due to the cost to a players finances, why not ban other costly extracurricular pursuits as well? Even in my worst luck, I risk less money than people spend on golfing regularly (even on public courses!). Ive known people spend thusands of dollars annually on hunting, attending sports events or obtaining collectibles. And what about investments? I put forth that back in the 20o00s, they were the worst gamble of all. I was once down close to $10,000 in my deferred comp account, more than ten times any gambling deficit in my life. Yet this was not only OK but encouraged? (Note that my accounts have since recovered as of late). Tenth, and finally, if casino gaming is not for you, then dont play. But dont deny that choice for others. How would you like it if others decided to deny you the right to pursue whatever fun activity you wish? VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION ONE!!
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 07:46:47 +0000