Is anyone else confused about Issue 3?
On November 7th, we need to be good citizens and head to the polls to cast our votes. However, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to understand what the issues are really about.
A few nights ago I was watching television. A commercial comes on with a wonderful warm feel about children and how if I’ll vote “for” Issue 3 then I’ll help ensure that kids will receive a wonderful education. Well who wouldn’t vote for that?
Unfortunately, the advertisement was very misleading. There was no mention that Issue 3 is really about gambling!
So I did some research. Here’s what I discovered. Just the facts.
If Issue 3 passes, then 9 developers will receive licenses to open gambling establishments.
If Issue 3 passes, then studies show that 109,000 individuals will become pathological and problem gamblers. On the average, 10 more people are affected by one person’s gambling addiction. That means that more than one million people will be damaged.
If a gambling establishment is within 50 miles of an individual, that person is 50% more likely to become addicted to gambling. Incidentally, there will be 4 gambling sites within 50 miles of RiverTree!
If Issue 3 passes, then Ohio will become a Class III gambling state which will make it much easier for tribal casinos to be opened in our backyard.
And by the way, Issue 3 has loopholes that leave thousands of Ohio students out in the cold. There are NO guarantees how much will be paid out in scholarships or when they will be paid. The top 5% grants disappear after just 12 years, but the gambling establishments continue to rake in money.
Now, we all need to be good citizens and vote. And that’s the beauty of a democratic society . . . we get to decide how we want to vote.
But let’s be crystal clear about this: Issue 3 is not about education, it’s about 9 licensed gambling establishments making massive amounts of money and hundreds of thousands of lives being destroyed.
I can’t say this with absolute certainty, but it is my understanding that the 9 operators are out of state entities. One of the big arguments for issue 3 has been that if we don’t have casinos in Ohio that all of the gamblers will spend outside of Ohio and continue to deplete our econonmy. So IF that was one’s rationale for supporting issue 3, I’d think folks would want to consider where much of this money actually goes.
On a related note, you mentioned that there was a website listed in last week’s bulletin where we could go to read up on all of the issues from a Christian perspective. Would you mind posting that on your blog? I (and perhpas others) misplaced the insert before it made it to my computer.
Thanks!!!
The American Gaming Association is the single industry source that tracks annual casino revenue across the nation. Based on AGA numbers, the annual revenue being lost by Ohioans to out of state casinos is about $2 billion.
There is not a single study available that concludes Ohio traveling gamblers will stop traveling and gamble only in Ohio casinos. More likely, out-of-state casinos will work harder to keep Ohio gamblers traveling, especially to resort destinations.
What is certain is that new gambling establishments will be created. And regionalized casinos have a pattern of creating new gamblers who transfer dollars from the local economy into the pockets of the casino owners.
And finally, to your comments about many of the casino owners being out of state–that is absolutely true. Sooo, the monies gambled away in Ohio will still be leaving Ohio–NOT staying in the state.
Here’s a great web-site to study up on the issues and candidates: http://www.aproundtable.org.
Well I for one sure don’t want any casino’s in Ohio so I’ll be there with my vote, Enjoyed reading your Blog very much,,,Beth Martin…Massillon Campus http://scrapbooknana.blogspot.com
Greg
I am glad that you are taking a stand on this issue. It seems that the same old lies come through disguised in a different package. Jobs, economic developement, helping our schools etc. How many times have I heard that line. When the “Big Boys” come to town, they practice only what there “father” has taught them… The thief comes not but kill,steal and destroy…
They will kill many families, they will steal our money while they smile at us and maybe even donate a few $$ to our local churches(too look good) and destroy the dreams of people as there savings become depleted from this addiction that is hard to break, and break up many families. As for the “jobs” that it will create.. well I guess many jobs will be created we will need more armored truck drivers to carry the “big boys” money to the bank,perhaps a few limo drivers for the big boys, and more bank tellers & atm machines(diebold may start hiring) for people to withdrawl there money,more divorce attorneys, backruptcy attorneys,tax advisors (to write off gambling)loansharks, and last but not least more addiction counseling classes at our local churches(volunteers)
So I guess they are not lying to us when they tell us about how it will help our economy.
Thanks
It just doesn’t make sense to “gamble” with our children’s education. All one has to do is turn on the Discovery Channel during one of their documentaries on gaming and learn that it’s a lose-lose situation for anyone involved but the gaming operators.