Seeing a former opponent turn into a cheerleader....

Regardless of location, the cheer leading arguments are identical: Jobs, Revenue, Jobs, Revenue in response to failed fiscal policies and inept lawmakers.

The lack of candor is continued - much the same in Massachusetts.

During a conversation with Senator Pacheco, when I raised the issue of Gambling Addiction, my comment was met with "....but we already have addiction with the Lottery" (the most successful lottery in the country).

The "We already have a problem, so let's make it worse" defense that makes no sense.

So, let's simply continue to suck discretionary income out of local economies, impoverish those least able to afford it and lead those mathematically challenged to believe the Road to Riches lies in *Steve Wynn's Slot Barn down the Road.

(* Substitute any name or any location in Steve Wynn's place - Sheldon Adelson, Sands, MGM, Suffolk Downs, Mashpee Wampanoag, Lashinger, KG Urban, Foundation Gaming, David Nunes, Milford, Middleboro, Springfield, Palmer, Holyoke, Foxborough, New Bedford, Fall River, Plainville, Raynham, Plymouth and the list goes on because Beacon Hill was flattered with the attention. No community is safe or off the list.)

Folks go to Boston on vacation to enjoy the historic sights.

Folks go to Florida to enjoy family vacations.

At some point, there is NO MORE! At some point, you need to admit your Gambling Addiction.

Odds seem stacked against South Florida resort casino bill
One gambling company's monstrous vision for Miami triggers concerns
Michael Mayo, Sun Sentinel Columnist

As a betting man, I'll set odds of 50-to-1 against the South Florida resort casino bill co-sponsored by state Sen. Ellyn Bodganoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, from being approved in the legislative session that starts in January.

With so many opponents and hurdles, a 2-percent chance sounds right.

Even if the bill gets through a Legislature that's been historically anti-gambling, socially conservative and fiercely protective of Central Florida's theme parks and convention business, there's no telling what Gov. Rick Scott would do when it lands on his desk. He likes jobs and new business, but in a recent meeting with the Sun Sentinel editorial board he made clear his personal aversion to gambling.

Still, the proposal to allow three Las Vegas-style resort casinos in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, and the jockeying among major casino companies to our Florida market, has been entertaining.

Among the funniest parts:

--Seeing a former gambling opponent like Bogdanoff turn into a cheerleader for the big casino firms, making nonsensical arguments about this not really being a gambling expansion. Please. It's a gambling expansion. That's not necessarily a bad thing. But let's be honest about it.