Issue 6 part 2

I still am having trouble understanding why people are against Issue 6. I keep hearing about the loophole where if an Indian casino moved in that could lower the tax to zero. There are ZERO Federal or State Indian Reservations in Ohio. Why would the state allow an Indian casino to be built here? They never have in the past even though some tribes have tried. Does anyone really think they would now if it would cost us money? And the idea that people may spend their money on gambling instead of groceries or mortgage payments is just absurd. People are gambling now. Thousands of Ohioans are crossing our borders now to gamble in the surrounding states. And don't even get me started on the idea that it will hurt the Ohio Lottery. The Lottery actually runs commercials urging us to gamble to support Ohio schools. So the state supports gambling but not casino gambling? We have been waiting far too long for a casino here. No one has come up with a better plan so I am voting yes in Issue 6. If you are anti-gambling period than fine vote no on principle. But if you don't have problems with a casino in Ohio than I don't want to hear any excuses how this Issue is not perfect. Nothing is perfect. We work with what we got and make the best of it. And bottom line is we have zero taxes from casino gambling now so what is the worst that can happen?

Casinos in Ohio

This November the residents of the State of Ohio get to vote on a constitutional amendment whether to allow a casino to be built. This would be the first casino in Ohio. Both sides having been running a lot of tv ads along with mailings trying to convince us to vote one way or the other. It has become quite comical in their appeals. I love how the side against the amendment keeps saying that there is nothing to stop them from hiring criminals. They don't even specify what kind of criminal. What a joke. Are they saying that no business in Ohio should ever hire anyone convicted of any crime? If a person commits a crime, is sent to prison, and then is judged rehabilitated enough by the State to be released back into the population then why can't they get a job?

Let's cut to the bottom line here. The politicians who oppose it are upset that they did not get anything out of it. Ohioans gamble. And with legal gambling in our bordering states tens of thousands of them travel out of state and take their money with them. Why should we keep losing millions in tax dollars that our citizens would be more than happy to deposit in our state just because some politicians are too stupid to get their heads out of the sand and face the realities of gambling. Either come up with a better plan or get out of my way because I am voting yes on this issue. I am tired of seeing us lose out to other states when we desperately need the tax revenue. And if it fails I hope all of those who support the issue remember which politicians were against it come next election time...

Why not gamble to help Ohio schools...

Every so often a commercial appears on tv that just amazes me. I don't mean that in a good way. The last few days I have been seeing a commercial for the Ohio lottery. In it they tell how by playing the lottery you are helping Ohio schools. Really? So they are promoting gambling as a way to fund our schools? Sure, spend your food/housing/medical budget on gambling. You are not going to win because of the ridiculously high odds, but so what. By you throwing your money away children will be able to attend school. Do they think we are that stupid? I just can't believe the nerve of the Lottery Commission to think that this is they way to promote gambling. And of course this doesn't even begin to address the lie we have been handed about how the lottery will help fund education in our state. Add to that the sad sight every time I stop in a small convenience store and have to wait in line for all the people spending way too much on lottery tickets in a futile effort to hit the big jackpot. We really would be better off if they banned the lottery. The occasional winner will never justify the thousands of losers. Of course people don't see it that way. Just the same way they fail to realize the American dream of striking it rich is only a smokescreen to cover the millions of Americans who live in poverty with no hope of moving up the economic ladder...

Need money for the holidays, just play the lottery...

If only it was that easy. I have been seeing commercials lately from the Ohio Lottery Commission. They are advertising the holiday lottery games. What bothers me is the way they do it. It comes across that if you need extra cash for the holidays just play the lottery. Or give them as gifts so your loved ones will get the cash. I like how they also throw in that you are helping fund education in Ohio by playing. So the solution to our crumbling school systems in this state is to buy more lottery tickets? I am so out of the loop here. I could not find 2006 or 2007 data but for 2005 Ohioians spent an average of $190.20 per person on lottery products. Think about that. I don't play any of the lottery games. I know a lot of people who never play. So by process of elimination that means the people who do play are spending way more than that every year. These are the people you see every time you stop at any corner store or gas station. The ones huddled in a corner scratching off tickets or standing in line just salivating at another chance to throw what little money they have away.

What really bothers me about the whole lottery thing is the hypocrisy of it. It is gambling. Pure and simple. So why can't we take the next logical step and add casinos? What is the difference between my buying a lottery ticket or playing blackjack? Oh I forgot. I actually have better odds of winning at blackjack...