The majority does not always know what is best. If abolishing slavery was put to a vote in the South after Civil War was over, the majority would have voted to keep it.

 

I would think the majority of Americans would vote to abolish income taxes. That would be a horrible thing for this country. Nice for me. Horrible for the country.

That's a horrible analogy. IT seems like you are against progress in many of your posts. The money can be mandated for education, and likely would, along with other things, like the state rainy day fund, etc. The gambling at the tracks has likely not effected your life, neither would us (KY) taking back our money that is going to Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.

I'd like to point out that the legalized gambling issue is supported by many republican voters. It's not a "democrat" vs. "republican" issue, as many would like to allude.

The money for schools was suppose come from the lottery, didn't happen the way they said. I was teaching when KERA came into effect, sounded real good until the counties and the schools cound not fund all that the state wanted the schools to do. I purchased a sweatshirt at a conference with a picture of a teacher's desk over flowing with papers and the caption was " KERA doesn't CARE " I believe this. So if we install gaming in the state the schools can get finally get some extra money.

That's a horrible analogy. IT seems like you are against progress in many of your posts. The money can be mandated for education, and likely would, along with other things, like the state rainy day fund, etc. The gambling at the tracks has likely not effected your life, neither would us (KY) taking back our money that is going to Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.

I thought the last gambling vote this state had, the lottery, was supposed to fix that education funding problem?

The money for schools was suppose come from the lottery, didn't happen the way they said. I was teaching when KERA came into effect, sounded real good until the counties and the schools cound not fund all that the state wanted the schools to do. I purchased a sweatshirt at a conference with a picture of a teacher's desk over flowing with papers and the caption was " KERA doesn't CARE " I believe this. So if we install gaming in the state the schools can get finally get some extra money.

Does that mean we will have more departments created in Frankfort and filtering down will be more binders of paperwork for teachers to complete and sit on a shelf somewhere to collect dust?:sssh:

Most of the so called problems that people suggest would come from casinos are probably already happening if its true that casino's create those problems. Because people in KY can already do everything that they can do in a casino online. Opposing it just stops it from happening at a brick and Mortar casino. Doesnt make sense what so ever. Theres nothing I can do in a casino in IN that I can do already sitting right here at home. So opposing casino's in this state is just plain silly.

I'll remember this when debating public/private with you.

But sometimes they do.

 

Funny post by the way.:thumb:

Theres nothing I can do in a casino in IN that I can't do already sitting right here at home. So opposing casino's in this state is just plain silly.

So if a majority of us don't want casinos in our state, we aren't going to keep you from enjoying the games of chance you already play and enjoy. Therefore, if there is no genuine compelling reason financially for Kentucky to cave in to gambling interests, we're not harming you or those like you who already enjoy gaming online or in other states.

 

I'm not being a smart aleck here. I'm entirely sincere. This is very good to know.

 

I don't have to feel like a Grinch for depriving you of your enjoyment if I think that gambling is a pitiful answer as a solution for our economy.

 

The problem is, for gambling to happen, money has to be earned/generated somewhere else first.

 

Proponents of gambling make it sound as if it would produce mountains of found money… but the truth in study after study affirms that two-thirds to three-quarters of casino spending is redirected from other businesses within a state, or from reduced wealth: (income that is not saved or invested but gambled away at the casino.) For a casino to earn one dollar, someone else has to lose it. Nothing has been produced or created.

 

So, simply put, for casinos to win, someone else has to lose…

 

…and casinos don’t lose.

 

I’m not ready for the bread and circuses era that brought down ancient Rome in my state.

 

Casino gambling is to statewide economic impact as Hostess Twinkies are to sound nutrition. They're both enjoyable in limited amounts, but are hardly beneficial to one's health.

 

Go to Vegas or Atlantic City. Gamble online or Churchill Downs or in your weekly poker game with your buddies. Enjoy yourself. I mean that. I just don't think we really need casinos in Kentucky.

So if a majority of us don't want casinos in our state, we aren't going to keep you from enjoying the games of chance you already play and enjoy. Therefore, if there is no genuine compelling reason financially for Kentucky to cave in to gambling interests, we're not harming you or those like you who already enjoy gaming online or in other states.

 

I'm not being a smart aleck here. I'm entirely sincere. This is very good to know.

 

I don't have to feel like a Grinch for depriving you of your enjoyment if I think that gambling is a pitiful answer as a solution for our economy.

 

The problem is, for gambling to happen, money has to be earned/generated somewhere else first.

 

Proponents of gambling make it sound as if it would produce mountains of found money… but the truth in study after study affirms that two-thirds to three-quarters of casino spending is redirected from other businesses within a state, or from reduced wealth: (income that is not saved or invested but gambled away at the casino.) For a casino to earn one dollar, someone else has to lose it. Nothing has been produced or created.

 

So, simply put, for casinos to win, someone else has to lose…

 

…and casinos don’t lose.

 

I’m not ready for the bread and circuses era that brought down ancient Rome in my state.

 

Casino gambling is to statewide economic impact as Hostess Twinkies are to sound nutrition. They're both enjoyable in limited amounts, but are hardly beneficial to one's health.

 

Go to Vegas or Atlantic City. Gamble online or Churchill Downs or in your weekly poker game with your buddies. Enjoy yourself. I mean that. I just don't think we really need casinos in Kentucky.

 

Yeah I can get my gambling "fix" I guess you could call it already without casinos, that is true. I think it is more enjoyable in a casino tho. Your right your not depriving me from gambling one bit what so ever.

 

I just dont like how people look at casino's as bad places. They dont cause trouble for people, people bring it on to themselves. They dont make people come and lose all their money, its the person who does its choice to go an lose all their money. They just provide an way to entertain yourself if that is a way you chose to entertain yourself.

 

I guess what Im trying to say is that Casino's are not the problem. Its irresponsible people who are the problem. Too many people today are looking for excuses (i.e. Casino's) to take the blame off of the irresponsible ones instead of putting the blame on them where it belongs.

 

I guess what Im trying to say is that Casino's are not the problem. Its irresponsible people who are the problem. Too many people today are looking for excuses (i.e. Casino's) to take the blame off of the irresponsible ones instead of putting the blame on them where it belongs.

In essence, I AGREE with you. But doesn't mean that as a governmental agency you still don't have to deal with the problems.

 

Let me give you an example.

 

Problems with education could be SOLVED by parents who are concerned and involved with their child's education and hold their child accountable for their learning, doing homework, studying, reading, etc, etc.

 

That is the MAIN problem in schools.

 

But guess what that doesn't happen.

 

So should schools be given a free pass on educating those kids whose parents give diddly nor squat about their child's educating.

 

NOPE!

 

We are still responsible for it. We are still expected to educate that child TO THE SAME LEVEL in public schools as the kid whose parents does 2 hours of homework with them EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

 

So you are right, the blame lies with the parents. Doesn't absolve the government, in this case the schools, from having to deal with the problems that result from the irresponsible ones.

Too many people today are looking for excuses (i.e. Casino's) to take the blame off of the irresponsible ones instead of putting the blame on them where it belongs.

I agree entirely, and I might add that there are too many politicians who see a society of "victims" as their opportunity to secure power for themselves by playing the role of savior.

 

In some respects, I couldn't care less if Louisville built a $250 million casino. I go to Louisville all the time, but I doubt I would ever go to the casino. I'm not judging those who would, I simply have other interests.

 

The issue for me is the fool's gold of suggesting that legalizing casinos is a miracle salve that will result in a brighter financial future for Kentucky. The fact that some states have bought into the marketing spun out by the gambling industry that casinos will boost revenues is no reason we should follow suit… (nice gambling bon mot if I do say so myself… :lol: ) If this were true, there would be casinos in every state... we couldn't build casinos fast enough. We'd have colleges and technical schools nationwide offering career training for pit bosses, blackjack dealers and slot machine technicians.

 

The problem is, every dollar a casino earns/wins is a dollar someone loses.

 

This revenue model is similar to the folly of politicians who want to increase taxes on big bad corporations as if they are somehow finding new money to benefit their constituencies. The hitch is that corporations don’t actually pay the taxes… they pass that increase in the cost of doing business along to their investors and customers. Increasing taxes on Exxon only increases our cost at the pump. So, in a very real sense, the politicians are only adding taxes to the people they claim they want to help.

 

For every gambler lucky enough or slick enough to walk out of a casino with extra winnings in their pocket, there are dozens who leave with less than had when they started. It is these losers who would be financing any increase in statewide revenues.

 

Fletcher’s plan to move Kentucky to the forefront of technology, alternative fuels and energy production wherein new industries, new jobs and actual new revenue is generated within our state would create multiple winners, with few if any losers.

 

Unless Beshear has a strong plan for economic development that goes beyond legalizing his magic bullet of casino gambling, he has no shot at unseating Fletcher.

 

Simply put, I believe that most Kentuckians would rather have a state economy based on winners than on losers. :thumb:

Fletcher’s plan to move Kentucky to the forefront of technology, alternative fuels and energy production wherein new industries, new jobs and actual new revenue is generated within our state would create multiple winners, with few if any losers.

 

Unless Beshear has a strong plan for economic development that goes beyond legalizing his magic bullet of casino gambling, he has no shot at unseating Fletcher.

 

Simply put, I believe that most Kentuckians would rather have a state economy based on winners than on losers. :thumb:

 

I have yet to see progress on Fletcher's plan, which is why I am skeptical about his plan. Until he has a track record to produce what he's planning, why should alternatives and other options not be explored.

 

His whole ad campaign is designed to do nothing but attack the idea of legalized gaming from a social-responsibility point. I'd be more inclined to listen to his rhetoric, if he'd show me what he is proposing, instead of trying to focus on what the other guy is doing.

 

As to your last point, yes, we would. However, it ain't happenin' yet....

I have yet to see progress on Fletcher's plan, which is why I am skeptical about his plan. Until he has a track record to produce what he's planning, why should alternatives and other options not be explored.

 

His whole ad campaign is designed to do nothing but attack the idea of legalized gaming from a social-responsibility point. I'd be more inclined to listen to his rhetoric, if he'd show me what he is proposing, instead of trying to focus on what the other guy is doing.

 

As to your last point, yes, we would. However, it ain't happenin' yet....

I'm not running his ad campaign, or this wouldn't be a problem. :lol:

 

I’m hardly what I would consider a Fletcher shill, but you may need to read something besides the C-J or H-L to know about any good he has done. It might also help if he didn’t have to contend with a truculent Democrat House (61D-39R) to get bills passed.

 

Today, the Energy Bill was passed by the House 87-10 opening the way for a $3 billion coal gasification plant in Western Kentucky, with incentives that open the door for at least four other known similar investments.

 

In spite of all the negative press from his detractors, he has presided over the streamlining of state government from 14 cabinets to 9 and turned the $302 million budget shortfall of fiscal year 2004 into a $279 million surplus without raising taxes. He’s trimmed the cost of worker’s comp and reformed Medicaid which will save the state over $1 billion over the next seven years.

 

As one who prefers smaller, less intrusive government, I see this as significant progress.

 

I can attest firsthand that his reformation of the Transportation Cabinet, and elevating the role of aviation within that cabinet has lifted Kentucky from the embarrassment of being in the basement of the nation, to one of the top five aviation states. Anyone who truly understands the value of aviation to businesses and communities realizes that any meaningful economic development is futile without business class air access.

 

Tourism is up 16%, which benefits hotels, restaurants, and retailers across the state.

 

I know he’s a Republican, and some of you would be against him for that alone, regardless of any good he’s done, but to suggest that he has compiled no meaningful track record (all while contending with an uncooperative House) is not in line with the facts.

In essence, I AGREE with you. But doesn't mean that as a governmental agency you still don't have to deal with the problems.

 

Let me give you an example.

 

Problems with education could be SOLVED by parents who are concerned and involved with their child's education and hold their child accountable for their learning, doing homework, studying, reading, etc, etc.

 

That is the MAIN problem in schools.

 

But guess what that doesn't happen.

 

So should schools be given a free pass on educating those kids whose parents give diddly nor squat about their child's educating.

 

NOPE!

 

We are still responsible for it. We are still expected to educate that child TO THE SAME LEVEL in public schools as the kid whose parents does 2 hours of homework with them EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

 

So you are right, the blame lies with the parents. Doesn't absolve the government, in this case the schools, from having to deal with the problems that result from the irresponsible ones.

 

No doubt about it you guys get a raw deal when it comes to that.

 

As for legalizing gaming, I would just like to see it brought to a vote. If the majority of the state doesnt want to do it then so be it I'll accept it an move on. I would just like them to put it in the hands of the citizens that live in this state to decide for themselves if they want to or not.

As for legalizing gaming, I would just like to see it brought to a vote. If the majority of the state doesnt want to do it then so be it I'll accept it an move on. I would just like them to put it in the hands of the citizens that live in this state to decide for themselves if they want to or not.

I would agree with a statewide vote, as long as the whole truth, (good and bad) is told about casinos, gambling and their effects upon our economy.

 

It has been presented by Beshear as an almost magical boon to the state's revenues, and I simply don't believe the facts bear this out.