Featured
Issue: Gambling
The
gambling industry currently gives huge amounts of money to West
Virginia politicians -- more even than the coal industry. Of course
something is expected in return. That is why this state has been
moving closer and closer to an expansion of gambling.
One
issue is so-called gray machines, video poker machines in bars,
grocery stores and convenience marts. These are currently legal
to play but are not supposed to pay for winning. Everyone knows
the law is being flouted. Some politicians want to go a step further
and legalize payouts, then tax them.
Here's
the problem. First of all, gambling can be addictive, and even if
not, is a form of taxation on those least able to afford it. Even
worse, gambling is addictive for governments. Once we begin to depend
on gambling as a source of income, it is almost impossible to do
without it.
A
case in point is the lottery. This was supposed to be a boon for
senior citizens and education. Unfortunately, the revenues brought
in by the lottery are often offset by budget cuts to these programs
elsewhere. Meanwhile, it is difficult to do away with the lottery.
I
am not interested in banning existing gambling at racetracks or
in the lottery. But I do want West Virginia to draw a line and say
no more. If it is impossible to police illegal payments from gray
machines, the machines themselves should be made illegal and destroyed.
There are plenty of non-gambling options to take their place such
as pinball and computer games like those found in movie theaters.
Another
area where gambling is encroaching is the push for casinos. A casino
is currently proposed for the Greenbrier. If this is approved, you
can bet gambling interests will target other sites such as ski resorts
and river towns. This would be opening Pandora's box. Casinos attract
sleazy businesses and destroy legitimate local businesses. They
attract crime, including organized crime, pornography, and drugs.
Do we really want West Virginia to become Las Vegas or Atlantic
City?
I
would say a resounding NO to the expansion of gambling in West Virginia.
I also call for the criminalization of video poker machines. I also
believe that campaign finance reform should address gambling contributions
to political officeholders.
