Harshbarger on Fox tells is like it is

Harshbarger on Fox tells is like it is
Paul Roy Jr, Boston Tea Party Examiner

This morning on Fox25, former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harsbarger discussed the new gambling bill. One comment Harshbarger made was how the state is now lowering its standards to meet what the gambling industry wants, calling it "A race to the bottom". A case in point is the bringing back of “Happy Hours” in the state so local bars and restaurants can now compete with the casinos who will be allowed to give free drinks to patron. This is exactly what the state is doing and it will be sure to be followed with even more examples.

Now, not only are we encouraging people to gamble, which many claim is more addictive and more dangerous than any other addictive behavior, we are also encouraging them to drink. It is bad enough the legislature is going to allow free drinks at the casinos, which will increase the risk of drunk driving in the area surrounding the casinos, but now they are also increasing the risk throughout the rest of the state. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that many of our legislatures are also attorneys who represent drunk drivers?


Massachusetts has not done their due diligence on casinos and the effects they will have on our state and the local areas surrounding where they will be located. Harshbarger also brings up how it won’t be long before slot machines will be allowed in other establishments besides the casinos and the one slot parlor. Why? For the same reason they are bringing back “Happy Hour”.

Casinos are not the answer to the economic ills in this state, they will only cause more problems and increase deficits, as Harshbarger points out in his interview, just as has happened in all other states which allow gambling.

While it may be too late to stop the casinos, the citizens of Massachusetts better be very aware of what is happening and make certain they are not allowed to control the state. It seems they already have controlled a majority of the legislature.