Published: March 07, 2008 11:13 am         

Casino gambling no quick fix for finances

To gamble or not to gamble? That is the question our state legislators are fussing over.

Politics, religion and sexuality are three topics I usually avoid. However, I was reading in the Lexington Herald-Leader the other day and I came across an article “Casino debate reveals rift in House” written by the newspaper’s political writer Ryan Alessi.

Apparently the division between Democrats on casino gambling became evident when they met at their last committee meeting in February. House Speaker Pro-Temp Larry Clark and another House representative Rob Wilkey offered their suggestions for two versions of the governor’s gambling proposal.

As I understand it, this is what caused the major blow up. Other house members began to question their methods for making their proposal. Some said Clark and Wilkey did not give the House proper notice before bringing the issues to the floor. Before any issue can be discussed or voted, representatives bringing the issue to the floor must give 24 hours notice. Anyway tempers flared and the meeting was adjourned.

If the issue of gambling gets passed, a can of worms would be opened. I am talking major trouble. The economy is bad already and making gambling as our solution to the problem could cause other major problems. People are desperate for money as it is.

Robberies have been at an all-time high. Gambling causes people to be desperate to strike-it-rich. Such desperation causes destruction to families and finances. Gambling is just as addictive as drugs. Many who tend to gamble excessively end up gambling until they are broke. This does not stop a gambling addict. Gamblers go to great lengths to get money.

They even borrow money from loan sharks, who when they are not paid will threaten the lives of their borrowers. I know this sounds like an excerpt out of a mobster movie or a novel of sorts and it sounds like Las Vegas, NV. If we are not careful this could be reality for Kentucky. Sure, casino profits could boost economy to a point but what about the negative side of the issue?

The addiction of gambling causes people to offer their homes as collateral. Many who have done this have lost their homes, thus leaving their families homeless and broke. We have Gamblers Anonymous for a reason. Gambling is not a good solution to our economical problems.

If we as citizens back this up, what kind of message are we giving our children? There are no quick fixes to finances. There is only hard work and discipline that help us get out of our financial jams. Instead of putting money into casinos, how about we put our money in programs that will help educate people how to improve their lives and make better money. Giving citizens tools to help improve their quality of life is better for our society.

I’d rather see my fellow Kentuckians live happy, healthy productive lives and not lives filled with stress and frustration. Debt promotes stress, frustration, desperation which often leads to criminal behavior. Gambling could lead to that and I do not want to see my fellow citizens be chained to such bondage.