Play Me!
Man is a gaming animal. He must always be trying to get the better
in something or other
--Essays of Elia, Charles Lamb
Casinos and prostitutes have the same thing in common;
they are both trying to screw you out of your money
and send you home with a smile on you face
--VP Pappy
Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math
________________
We all know the states are smarting. The Sunshine State just signed on to its second foray into gambling, signing an agreement with the Seminole tribe allowing casino gambling on reservation lands. The state expects more than $1 Billion in revenue from the venture over the next five years (Seminole Gambling Deal Passes Florida house Panel.)
Interesting how gambling money -- or, lost wages -- has morphed into state revenue. And our very own family values guy (Watch-Me-Marry-to-Prove-I'm-NOT-gay) Governor Crist was just beaming as he closed the deal which, however, seemed to conflict with his later statement regarding his posture on taxes.
Crist also said he favored tax relief for homeowners. How can Crist talk about tax cuts when he is relying on gambling to help fill the current revenue shortfall? Do any of our leaders exist is reality?
Both parties are to blame for allowing this farce, but especially how can Gov. Crist's Republican party of family values politick for such dissolute activity? Governments have no rightful place in Lottos and gambling casinos which, when conducted without the state's aegis, we call, "crime".
Gambling is not a victimless crime since there are always losers. The casinos and the state both have the ability to dictate the winnings. These are not innocent games of chance in which the mark enjoys the same odds as the house, though viewing the festive advertisements put out by the Florida Lottery Commission might lead you to think such.
"You Must Play to Win!" is a cruel double entendre implying if you play [pay] you've got a chance; or, you must play with positive intent [to win]. Either way, it's a no-go. The cards are stacked against the citizens.
Have we become so desperate for money that we forget the values that made this country a distinct entity?
Labels: gambling in Florida, seminole casinos
posted by rangeragainstwar at 1:47 PM
4 Comments:
Yes we have, greed is good no matter who gets hurt. We only have to look around at the millions that don't have jobs because the need for more profit. This will all come to grinding halt soon enough with out actions like this. We have this all over Calif. and the tribes are hurting as is Nev. and I hope they all close down.
Good Republicans. They don't increase taxes. They increase FEES
things like the economy tanking and the deals that have to be struck by nations like the seminole that give "management" contracts to insiders and a hefty chunk of payola to the states impress upon me the wisdom of my own nation with the gambling revenue.
as joe noted, this ride can't last forever. because of gambling the apache nation has increased our land holdings, bringing things much closer to what they were before the americans arrived. we have taken over the running of our schools, taken over our medical care (which is extended to neighboring nations which are still dependant upon the mercy of the feds), there is a co-operative cattle operation that sells high ticket free range beef, the largest sawmill this side of the mississippi, a ski resort, and other longer term investments that will continue to provide jobs for our people and pay into the tribal treasury long after the casinos die their invevitble natural death.
it's disgusting that the states are doing this, but, i can't blame the seminole for taking what ever deal they had to make to get some money going.
the seminole never surrendured, they instead took into the deep bogs and swamps and hid away. they never got reservations and other things. hell, it took the feds a long time to even recognise them as a tribe and nation.
MB,
I'm with you,but my criticism is not of the Seminoles,but rather the state.
The state has no business in the gambling arena.
This cooperation is a corruption of the concept of government powers.
The state is supposed to protect the citizenry rather than preying on them.
As for native casinos , i say, go for it.We screwed the tribes to the wall , and payback is a bitch.
jim
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