Gambling is not the solution to our problems

From: Bill Kearney

Massachusetts ‘Gaming’ Future

The Baltimore Sun - October 18, 2012 - Gambling is not the solution to our problems

Instead of real leadership, Annapolis offers us table games

While I would gladly attend a bachelor party in Atlantic City, I would prefer not to raise my children there. However, as Maryland continues to morph into that Sin City of the East, I may not have a choice.

In 2007, Maryland politicians pushed slots on us in cowardly avoidance of real solutions to revenue shortfalls. We now have not only buffets of slots but also electronic table games, with digital dealers so lifelike you swear they are flirting with you. There are no real (human) table games allowed, a fact that made the slots pill a little easier to swallow at the time. This remains a line of demarcation between the Old Line State and Atlantic City.

But shockingly, slots alone have not solved all of our problems. Now, true to form, our fearless leaders are doubling down on gambling and expanding it with an even greedier and dumber proposal. Question 7 on the upcoming ballot is a yes or no vote for Maryland to permit tables games, an extra casino and tax cuts for casino operators.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-gambling-20121018,0,3418278.story?track=rssSee More