Is expanded gambling, or lack there of that has kentucky held back? I haven't bought in to the fact that it's THE answer yet. I don't oppose it though. The state of kentucky has had some pretty good times without it. I can't say that Williams is the only reason we don't have expanded gambling.

 

The lack of expanded gambling holds the Kentucky horse racing industry back, because many operations are reducing their Kentucky divisions and going elsewhere, such as Indiana and West Virginia and Pennsylvania, where purses are better (because of slot revenue) and competition is not always as stiff. Because of this out-migration of horses, Kentucky tracks are scaling back operations to four and three days a week in some places. That means fewer dollars wagered on Kentucky races, and fewer tax dollars collected. In addition, those stables take their employees with them, further reducing the amount of tax dollars that go into the Kentucky economy.

 

All the while, a third to half the cars at Indiana casinos on any given night have Kentucky plates, as Kentucky gamblers help pay the Indiana budget. Ohio will be opening casinos soon as well.

 

Sure, Kentucky has had some pretty good times without expanded gambling. But times have changed, and we are, as usual, lagging well behind our neighbors. All thanks to David Williams' iron-fisted control of the Ky. Senate, since none of his GOP majority dare challenge him. Now, if he is elected Governor, that would be another four years of erosion to our commonwealth's signature industry, and before too long the Kentucky Derby will be the only reason anyone goes to any Kentucky track, kind of the way the Preakness Stakes has become in Maryland's corpse-like racing industry.

 

Is it a magic bullet for all of Kentucky's economic woes? Of course not. Those problems run far too deep and complex, and will take leaders with a lot more intestinal fortitude that partisan hacks like Williams and Beshear to solve them. But why not try and reclaim those Kentucky tax dollars that are helping subsidize state budgets in our neighboring states? That money is already leaving, so at worst, it can't hurt to keep it at home, and help out an industry that for more than a century has and still does play a vital role in the Kentucky economy, and is what Kentucky is best-known for worldwide. It could be a start toward helping Kentuckians as a whole.

There is a good side to all of this though. The complete and utter crappiness of both sides could help Gatewood get the support he needs.

 

http://www.gatewood.com/site/

 

I'm voting for Gatewood. I hope he "smokes" the competition this time.

The lack of expanded gambling holds the Kentucky horse racing industry back, because many operations are reducing their Kentucky divisions and going elsewhere, such as Indiana and West Virginia and Pennsylvania, where purses are better (because of slot revenue) and competition is not always as stiff. Because of this out-migration of horses, Kentucky tracks are scaling back operations to four and three days a week in some places. That means fewer dollars wagered on Kentucky races, and fewer tax dollars collected. In addition, those stables take their employees with them, further reducing the amount of tax dollars that go into the Kentucky economy.

 

All the while, a third to half the cars at Indiana casinos on any given night have Kentucky plates, as Kentucky gamblers help pay the Indiana budget. Ohio will be opening casinos soon as well.

 

Sure, Kentucky has had some pretty good times without expanded gambling. But times have changed, and we are, as usual, lagging well behind our neighbors. All thanks to David Williams' iron-fisted control of the Ky. Senate, since none of his GOP majority dare challenge him. Now, if he is elected Governor, that would be another four years of erosion to our commonwealth's signature industry, and before too long the Kentucky Derby will be the only reason anyone goes to any Kentucky track, kind of the way the Preakness Stakes has become in Maryland's corpse-like racing industry.

 

Is it a magic bullet for all of Kentucky's economic woes? Of course not. Those problems run far too deep and complex, and will take leaders with a lot more intestinal fortitude that partisan hacks like Williams and Beshear to solve them. But why not try and reclaim those Kentucky tax dollars that are helping subsidize state budgets in our neighboring states? That money is already leaving, so at worst, it can't hurt to keep it at home, and help out an industry that for more than a century has and still does play a vital role in the Kentucky economy, and is what Kentucky is best-known for worldwide. It could be a start toward helping Kentuckians as a whole.

 

Perfectly stated Jim.

I vote Republican in state and national races 98% of the time but I will not vote for David Williams. Farmer has lost his mind siding with him, and the Republican Party has probably lost a good opportunity (although still a very slim chance) of winning back the governor's office. Now if Palin gets the nomination for POTUS that will just be a double-whammy. As President Reagan once siad, "Well, here we go again". A golden opportunity lost.

Four years of David Williams in the Governor's office may get us a new triple crown.

 

Preakness

Belmont

Ohio Derby

The lack of expanded gambling holds the Kentucky horse racing industry back, because many operations are reducing their Kentucky divisions and going elsewhere, such as Indiana and West Virginia and Pennsylvania, where purses are better (because of slot revenue) and competition is not always as stiff. Because of this out-migration of horses, Kentucky tracks are scaling back operations to four and three days a week in some places. That means fewer dollars wagered on Kentucky races, and fewer tax dollars collected. In addition, those stables take their employees with them, further reducing the amount of tax dollars that go into the Kentucky economy.

 

All the while, a third to half the cars at Indiana casinos on any given night have Kentucky plates, as Kentucky gamblers help pay the Indiana budget. Ohio will be opening casinos soon as well.

 

Sure, Kentucky has had some pretty good times without expanded gambling. But times have changed, and we are, as usual, lagging well behind our neighbors. All thanks to David Williams' iron-fisted control of the Ky. Senate, since none of his GOP majority dare challenge him. Now, if he is elected Governor, that would be another four years of erosion to our commonwealth's signature industry, and before too long the Kentucky Derby will be the only reason anyone goes to any Kentucky track, kind of the way the Preakness Stakes has become in Maryland's corpse-like racing industry.

 

Is it a magic bullet for all of Kentucky's economic woes? Of course not. Those problems run far too deep and complex, and will take leaders with a lot more intestinal fortitude that partisan hacks like Williams and Beshear to solve them. But why not try and reclaim those Kentucky tax dollars that are helping subsidize state budgets in our neighboring states? That money is already leaving, so at worst, it can't hurt to keep it at home, and help out an industry that for more than a century has and still does play a vital role in the Kentucky economy, and is what Kentucky is best-known for worldwide. It could be a start toward helping Kentuckians as a whole.

 

Well said. :thumb:

 

Keep in mind that Williams MAY not be the "partisan hack" you say he is now as governor. I'm certain he doesn't want to become Governor for the opportunity to erode our commonwealth's signature industry. Who knows, he might want the credit for getting it. I'm willing to give Williams/Farmer a shot at it. The current admin has been about as useless as teats on a boar hog.

Well said. :thumb:

 

Keep in mind that Williams MAY not be the "partisan hack" you say he is now as governor. I'm certain he doesn't want to become Governor for the opportunity to erode our commonwealth's signature industry. Who knows, he might want the credit for getting it. I'm willing to give Williams/Farmer a shot at it. The current admin has been about as useless as teats on a boar hog.

 

I agree that Beshear's administration has been an abject failure to this point, and were it not for my distaste of David Williams, I would probably vote for Gatewood this time around.

 

Maybe Williams isn't the partisan hack I think he is, and he's simply making decisions at the behest of his constituents, who are perhaps the most socially conservative in the state. But by the same token, as Senate President, he has a responsibility to Kentucky as a whole, and I would argue his GOP cohorts have not had enough spine to tell him that his policies do not sit well with their constituency. Maybe once the poll numbers start to roll in his positions will more reflect Kentucky as a whole.

 

However, I've met the man on multiple occasions, and I've found him to be perhaps the most smug and arrogant person I've ever had to deal with. And through my job over the years, I've dealt with a lot of famous, wealthy and influential people within and outside of the commonwealth, so I have a pretty good sample size with which to assess Williams. I'm not willing to take the chance that I'm wrong.

I agree that Beshear's administration has been an abject failure to this point, and were it not for my distaste of David Williams, I would probably vote for Gatewood this time around.

 

Maybe Williams isn't the partisan hack I think he is, and he's simply making decisions at the behest of his constituents, who are perhaps the most socially conservative in the state. But by the same token, as Senate President, he has a responsibility to Kentucky as a whole, and I would argue his GOP cohorts have not had enough spine to tell him that his policies do not sit well with their constituency. Maybe once the poll numbers start to roll in his positions will more reflect Kentucky as a whole.

 

However, I've met the man on multiple occasions, and I've found him to be perhaps the most smug and arrogant person I've ever had to deal with. And through my job over the years, I've dealt with a lot of famous, wealthy and influential people within and outside of the commonwealth, so I have a pretty good sample size with which to assess Williams. I'm not willing to take the chance that I'm wrong.

 

David Williams along with his wife and daughter joined Richie Farmer at the Appalachian Bowl last night. It was the first time I was ever around Williams and I must say that he and his family were nothing other than friendly, fun and charismatic. The thousands in attendance seemed to enjoy their company.

Smug and arrogant.

Friendly, fun and charismatic.

 

You say to-may-to; I say to-mah-to.

Smug and arrogant.

Friendly, fun and charismatic.

 

You say to-may-to; I say to-mah-to.

 

:lol:

David Williams along with his wife and daughter joined Richie Farmer at the Appalachian Bowl last night. It was the first time I was ever around Williams and I must say that he and his family were nothing other than friendly, fun and charismatic. The thousands in attendance seemed to enjoy their company.

 

Well, campaigning does have a tendency to force a person to alter their otherwise normal demeanor. You draw more flies with honey than vinegar.

And I must admit; this may be the first time I've seen "David Williams" and "charismatic" in the same narrative.

And I must admit; this may be the first time I've seen "David Williams" and "charismatic" in the same narrative.

He's drinking too much koolaid .

He's drinking too much koolaid .

 

Hey, what can I say...Nothing better than a new flavor of Kool Aid to rave about.