We've got yet another casino proposal on the ballot here in Ohio this fall, and once again, it's the wrong one.
I don't have any philosophical or moral issue with casinos. I think it's stupid to expect some great economical boost (how's that working out for you, Detroit?). What I take issue with is that every time it comes up, it's a constitutional amendment with very specific attachments. In this case, it actually names the specific parcels of land where each casino can be built. Can you imagine if the US Constitution said where you had to build specific buildings? That would be completely asinine.
This also outlines in constitutional law who benefits first from the construction of these casinos. Whoever owns the land, makes out big time. That's completely wrong. I firmly believe that the licenses should first be bid out competitively, not set at an arbitrary $50 million each. If the state can get more, they should. Furthermore, once they do secure a license, they should have to find the land most suitable for their plans. The constitution should not be amended to decide which land owners win.
You can see why this keeps coming up over and over. In order to initiate the issue at all, you need significant backing, and no one is going to do it until they have some assurance that they will benefit.
So just what is the right casino proposal? One that does not contain specific language about the parcels of land?
Good luck getting that one passed. No casino company is going to do that.
This plan is the right one for Ohio. It has jobs, decent tax revenues and the potential to help Ohio's four largest cities grow and develop their downtowns.
It's amazing how people shoot holes in something yet can't seem to come up with a better plan.
I spelled out the right proposal in my post. Read it again.
These issues come from the wrong end every time. They're all initiated by interested parties. If Ohioans and/or their duly elected officials believe casinos are right for the state, then the issue they put on the ballot calls for the scope of available licenses (quantity, location, etc.) and sets up a competitive bidding process for who gets those licenses. That's how it should roll. This pre-ordained bullshit is wrong, especially writing it into the constitution!
How many times has this crashed and burned now? It's never come close to passing the way it is, probably never will. I wonder how long before they get a clue and do it right.
Have you read the issue? Can you show me where it says how many jobs are created? Can you show me where the revenue projections are? You can't, because it's not there.
I've been unemployed for five months, so I don't want to hear about how awesome this will be for jobs. It doesn't help me at all, and government endorsed and sanctioned business is not how we roll.
I wonder what the payday is for the FOP that would encourage them to support this garbage issue? They need to research the promises made when Ohio legalized the lottery and "All proceeds would go to education."
Of course the proceeds go to the General Fund, not to education. And we know where education is currently - FIGHTING to get on a balanced budget.
So FOP, this is the question I pose to you is this:
> Do you really believe that gambling in Ohio is worth leveraging ALL of your earned good will over??
Tipton - realize this - you just shot about 30 or more years of good relations and hard police work down the tubes. All for a faint hope of a "payday" in the means of promised pensions.
Stand in line behind Education when your promises also go down the tubes. Every local police force should be ashamed of your campaign and the destruction of the Shield, you suppossedly represent.
Signed,
Son of Law Enforcement