Lottery question on ballot.
- Thread starter bcp
- Start date
bcp
In My Opinion
the argument is not against slots.
the argument is against putting in as a constitutional amendment to the Maryland constitution.
MMDad
Lem Putt
There are only two arguments that I have heard, and I disagree with both.
1. Morality - I hate morality police.
2. It caters to the poor, and they can't afford it. Some people think that society should protect stupid people from themselves. I see no difference between slots, keno, lotto, bingo, and scratch offs. If the others are legal why not slots?
I just don't see this as being worthwhile. All of the surrounding states have slots, so let's try to compete?
Let's find our own niche to draw in crowds and their money! Legalize prostitution!
If they do legalize slots, I hope that they accept food stamps, independence cards, WIC vouchers, and welfare checks.
twinoaks207
Having Fun!
Southern Maryland used to have slots. We got rid of them -- for very good reasons.
"Slot machines" have no place in a state constitution.
I work in schools and have done so in different states and for more years than I'll admit to in public (most of them here in Maryland). More money will not fix the problems. We need to work on intelligently using the money we have first! Students who have caring, involved families and good support systems succeed. Students who do not have a loving, caring family environment and a good support system rarely succeed to the best of their capabilities. Until we can fix this part of the problem (and it's difficult when we only have them for 7 hours of the day), we're not going to make much headway in ensuring that ALL students succeed to the best of their abilities. That's reality. Slots are not the magic pill that will fix all of the problems in education. And anyone who tries to tell you that is just trying to play on your emotions (its for the children!) to manipulate you into doing what they want, which is passing this insane constitutional amendment so a few (for now anyway) special interests can have an opportunity to make more money.
I'm voting NO, with great relish and the courage of my convictions!
Pete
Repete
I am voting against it for the same reason. I am also voting against it because of the licensing scheme they have concocted. Only X number of permits, only X number of machines, only in a few counties.
Sounds like cronyism to me. If you open it up you open it up to anyone who is not prohibited for a specific reason like a RICO or felony conviction and not just your pals.
If they make it legal it should be legal for everyone from a VFW in Hagerstown to a bar in Piney Point.
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
Even if the money didn't go into schools, I'd still be for slots. Why not have them here?
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
I'm all for slots anywhere in Maryland. But that's not what this is about. The vote is for certain counties only, not sure why.
sparkyaclown
Active Member
I'm voting against this. Someone had told me that while it is being billed as allowing slots and funding for schools the actual amendment doesn't really address slots directly and could have other negative impacts in the future. Has anyone here actually read the proposed amendment not the way it's being billed to the public. I'd be curious as to what they are actually trying to do.
As far as funding public schools, I can tell you that rarely happens. They throw that out there to try and increase public approval. Schools rarely, if ever see any of that funding they were suppose to get from any of these ventures. Personally I'd like to see the public schools get more funding. There are schools out there that do not have enough materials to properly do the job.
As far as funding public schools, I can tell you that rarely happens. They throw that out there to try and increase public approval. Schools rarely, if ever see any of that funding they were suppose to get from any of these ventures. Personally I'd like to see the public schools get more funding. There are schools out there that do not have enough materials to properly do the job.
USWWarrior
It's a Jeep thang!
I agree. The funding for schools is a public relations ploy only. If you dont believe me, what was the money for the lotto advertised to be used for? if my memory serves me correctly, the state used that money to bring the Browns (ravens) to Baltimore. Even if they give the money to the schools it will be a small percantage and they will remove the other budgeted money for schools and put it elsewhere to fund "pork" projects.
I also agree, do not limit it to certain counties, make it state-wide.
Highlander
ONE NATION UNDER GOD
I definitely have mixed feelings on the slots. I know many people who travel to nearby states to play so, in a way, it would be nice to keep the money here. On the other hand, I do not buy into the theory that it will help our schools. If anyone actually thinks throwing more money at the schools will make our kids smarter and better, I'd have to say you're smokin' crack!
Tilted
..
As I said in an earlier post, I am for slots being allowed. But, as has been pointed out by others, this isn't about allowing slots, it's about amending the constitution. At first I assumed that if they were doing it as an amendment, that must mean that the constitution as it is prohibits it and an amendment was necessary. I briefly look at Maryland's constitution and didn't find any prohibitions in there that would apply.
Doing it as an amendment makes no sense. It limits future flexibility (e.g. where they can be located). I suspect some in the legislature wanted to do it this way to insulate themselves from criticism over their support for it or against it. They should just do their jobs and decide yes or no, and be willing to be held accountable for their decision.
I've changed my mind and am going to vote against the amendment. The amendment is not for the people of Maryland, it's only purpose is political expediency on the part of the legislators.
Doing it as an amendment makes no sense. It limits future flexibility (e.g. where they can be located). I suspect some in the legislature wanted to do it this way to insulate themselves from criticism over their support for it or against it. They should just do their jobs and decide yes or no, and be willing to be held accountable for their decision.
I've changed my mind and am going to vote against the amendment. The amendment is not for the people of Maryland, it's only purpose is political expediency on the part of the legislators.
puggymom
Active Member
don't know why I find that so funny
bcp
In My Opinion
you are still not getting it.
it has nothing to do with slots. I could not care less if people play slots, Ive gone to West Virgina and played slots.
the problem is the way they are presenting it. It does not need to be a constitutional amendment, and if they are legalized, they need to be, as put by another poster, legal for everyone to run, not just the select few that will pay off the politicians under the table.
Maryland is corrupt, do not trust anything they want to do like this. they are lying, omalley and his idoits cant help but not to lie.
Pete
Repete
Where was your outrage when the democrats were killing it when it was a republican initiative?
I am sick and tired of obstructionist, vitriolic, hypocritical democrat lawmakers and those who cheer them on and vote for them when they are nasty beyond belief and then feign outrage and try using guilt when their hypocrisy is visited back on them.
My message Tuesday to those who now want the cash cow when they opposed it ferociously when it was a GOP idea.......
Suck it!
Pete
Repete
I read some of the details and posted in another thread. I am voting against it because they have instituted some weird scheme to grant licenses. Only 5 counties, only in certain places, only so many machines. It reeks of graft and gifts to their pals to me.
If you are going to make gaming legal it has to be legal for anyone to apply anywhere in the state, not just the few cronies they select who pay them off.
As far as it being a regressive tax I remember when Georgia, deep in the bible belt, was debating a state lottery. There was a guy on local TV and he was presented with the question framed to make it look like it was penalizing the poor. He said "Of course I support it." the reporter said "How can you when it is proven that the poor will be victimized" He said "They don't pay any other taxes at all, at least this way they will contribute something to pay for their kids education." He won.
R
residentofcre
Guest
The world may end today... I actually almost agree with Pete!
But...I would vote to allow it and then push to allow it in all the counties....
Slots in CRE... what a concept...
But...I would vote to allow it and then push to allow it in all the counties....
Slots in CRE... what a concept...
If it passes no one can push to allow all counties to have slots with out doing another constitutonal amendment. This ballot question limits the location of the slots to designated areas.
If it fails then the General Assembly can act in January to pass a real slots bill that allows for more competitive bidding on the gaming licenses. But they do not have the stones to address the problem.
Either way this amendment is bad news.