The Massachusetts Governor, Devall Patrick, and the Legislature are determined to gamble with the money and mores of the people of this state. Since his first inauguration, Governor Patrick has presented legislation again and again to establish casinos throughout the Bay State, against overwhelming evidence that gambling revenues have not solved the fiscal problems of a single state. New Jersey has been in deep financial crisis for years--even though they have 17 casinos. Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island all have moved to increase their states' sales tax to make up for the unmet budgeted income that was projected to come through casinos. Meanwhile non-gamblers have to pay to provide for the marked increase demand for social/family services as domestic violence, depression, addiction, bankrupcy and suicide are the inevitable partners to addictive gambling behavior.
The facts against gambling could be listed on and on, as well as the stories of men, women, and families ruined by this disease. But my personal question for the Governor and the Legislature, as they move to bring this curse to our state, would be: Has a government, elected to watch over the welfare of its citizens, not lost its way, when it determines to perpetuate itself through revenue that comes from the addictions and weaknesses of the very people they are elected to govern? I would love to hear their answer.
Submitted by Sonia Skillman
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