A regular reader, sent the text below to me that had been sent to a State Representative --
Dear Representative ....:
With regards to your support of level III gaming, I am forced to ask you, what is it the blinds you to the adverse impact this will have on our states' economy? Haven't you done your homework on this issue?
This is not only about social issues, or the negative effects of gambling on families (both are issues that I would expect a public servant to be well aware of and much concerned about). This is about another side of this issue: our states’ fiscal health. There are many examples in other states with legalized gambling that have gotten more problems than money. By what reason do you believe that things will be any different here in Massachusetts?
Nothing is all bad, so yes, there are some positive examples out there. But if you do some research, you will find that many of the expectations for positive results are over blown, or are counteracted by the considerable cost of dealing with or solving the problems that come with a casino. And none of the ills that have befallen these examples have affected the casinos or their developers. Yet, here they are, talking about a "partnership" with their host communities, making promises of big money and meanwhile, witless politicians line up, eager to jump on the money train and ride it all the way to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I can’t decide which is worse: casino developers who are only interested in growing their bank accounts, or politicians who think they are serving the needs of their constituents by allowing casinos. Neither one of you ends up doing anything beneficial for the people or their communities.
Consider the comments of Michael Jandernoa, a Michigan businessman who testified before the Senate Committee of Indian Affairs:
"We are among one of the States with the top number of Native American casinos. The tribal casinos are booming. They are doing very well, but our State economy is among the worst."
This is not only about social issues, or the negative effects of gambling on families (both are issues that I would expect a public servant to be well aware of and much concerned about). This is about another side of this issue: our states’ fiscal health. There are many examples in other states with legalized gambling that have gotten more problems than money. By what reason do you believe that things will be any different here in Massachusetts?
Nothing is all bad, so yes, there are some positive examples out there. But if you do some research, you will find that many of the expectations for positive results are over blown, or are counteracted by the considerable cost of dealing with or solving the problems that come with a casino. And none of the ills that have befallen these examples have affected the casinos or their developers. Yet, here they are, talking about a "partnership" with their host communities, making promises of big money and meanwhile, witless politicians line up, eager to jump on the money train and ride it all the way to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I can’t decide which is worse: casino developers who are only interested in growing their bank accounts, or politicians who think they are serving the needs of their constituents by allowing casinos. Neither one of you ends up doing anything beneficial for the people or their communities.
Consider the comments of Michael Jandernoa, a Michigan businessman who testified before the Senate Committee of Indian Affairs:
"We are among one of the States with the top number of Native American casinos. The tribal casinos are booming. They are doing very well, but our State economy is among the worst."
"Also in Michigan, discretionary spending, that is down. Bankruptcies are up and we are financially strained in many of our cities. The Government has been blinded by bright lights, big numbers, big promises that have not been able to be kept. If you look at the Detroit example, we brought three casinos in. They promised new hotels. They promised new restaurants, new entertainment, new jobs and more tourists from outside the area. It has not happened."
"Bankruptcies have more than doubled. Crime has risen substantially. The Detroit police force and Mayor have indicated that the budget is exceeding their allocation by $1.2 million just for the crimes related to bankruptcy and crimes in the immediate area. The Michigan experience has been one of empty promises or broken promises"
The state of Michigan has 23 casinos. If casinos are so beneficial to the economy, don't you think that with 23 casinos, Michigan's roads would be paved with gold?
Bringing in a casino is lazy man's accounting: more money? budget problem solved! If that is how you decide to conduct yourself, then perhaps you need to be voted out of office. Please, for the sake of the Commonwealth; be smarter! Do your job!
And if you understand nothing else, you should understand this: Most of the money spent at a casino ends up in the hands of foreign interests. And thus, you are succumbing to the promise of a false economy.
Please re-consider your position.
Best Regards,
Please consider forwarding it to your elected officials as well.
Look up their contact information here --
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