The Roman poet Virgil once wrote, "I fear Greeks even when they bring gifts." I feel the same way about casino promoters. They are liable to say just about anything to entice the gullible.
One of the most common enticements promoters use is the promise of money. Given the enormous amount of money casinos suck out of the real economy, promoters can afford to make promises. But the money argument does not stack up to common sense or basic economics.
For example, the promoters claim that casino jobs will take people off welfare. Common sense tells us their logic is stretched. After all, how many minimum wage jobs does a person have to work in order to get off welfare in San Benito County? Promoters say casino dollars will support social programs. Let's hope so since studies are clear that casinos bring with them a raft of social problems - including significant increases in the incidence of gambling addiction, divorce, domestic abuse and crime.
The effects on the real economy are also bad, as Minnesota discovered. For example, the Minnesota Restaurant and Hotel Association found that business fell 20 percent to 50 percent at existing establishments when a casino opened nearby. Are we really ready to sacrifice existing businesses for the blue-sky promises of casino promoters?
Let's hope our civic leaders are wiser than those of ancient Troy. Clearly we have problems that need forceful action. But we don't need second-rate solutions - the only kind of solution gambling interests can provide.
Steve Merrell, Hollister
CRAPS (Casinos Represent A Poor Solution)
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