It is sad to see the Maryland State legislature being
manipulated by big money gambling concerns. I suppose we should have seen it
coming long ago when the issue of legalizing gambling in Maryland first
appeared on our horizon.
For year the legislature fought tooth and nail to keep
gambling out of our state. It was a part of an evil empire that would
demoralize and destroy the integrity of our beloved homeland. It is amazing how
economic downturn can totally change out outlook and even our moral
constitution. Once surrounding states began consorting with big business
gambling concerns and threatening to take millions of potential dollars from
the Maryland treasury, the legislature had a sudden change of heart. After all,
in a democratically controlled state such as Maryland the legislature never has
enough money to feed its spending habits.
And so it came to pass that the jellyfish legislature left
it to the people of Maryland to decide what they couldn’t bring themselves do
on their own. But they placed such restrictions on it that even the big gambling
concerns flinched at accepting it. Slowly, the original plan began to take
shape. Three of the approved venues have, at long last, opened.
But before all of the original slots-only facilities have
opened, along comes “Big Gambling Concerns” with an attempt to change
everything. They want to open a sixth venue. They want additional tax/revenue
concessions. They want to offer table games and Internet gaming in addition to
slots. And they want it NOW, before all of the changes can be vetted and
thoroughly considered.
They are dangling so many carrots in front of our
legislature and spendthrift Governor that it is irresistible for them. They are
salivating and chomping at the bit to grab the golden ring so they can feed
their growing appetite for programs we taxpayers cannot afford.
Forget that these are the same legislators who once opposed
gambling. They are now in bed with the big gambling concerns; concerns that, no
doubt, have ties to organized crime. We’re talking big money here. Money needed
to carry on a legislative agenda that knows no end.
Talk about the tail wagging the dog….
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