In recent months, much has been said in the media concerning a quote from Warren Buffett (one of the richest men in the nation), as he has called for the rich to pay higher taxes. Last week, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, in typical fashion, was quoted as saying in regard to the push by Buffett for the rich to pay higher taxes; “Shut up and write the check.” Governor Christie was calling for Buffett to stop talking and go to putting his money into the tax coffers of government. Several of my liberal friends like to quote Buffett to me when I write about taxes already being too high and that I oppose paying higher taxes.
I recently saw a quote from Warren Buffett about state sponsored gambling. He said; “It’s a terrible way to raise money. It’s a tax on ignorance…I don’t like the idea of the government depending, for certain portions of its revenue, on hoodwinking citizens.” This quote by Warren Buffett is from a taped interview on the Stop Predatory Gambling web site.
The Senate in Kentucky last week voted down a proposal from their governor to have casinos in their state. The governor of Kentucky let it be known he was highly disappointed in the people in his state senate because of their vote.
I was told by a radio reporter that a majority of the people polled in Georgia want more gambling venues because of the jobs it will bring to the state. Something I learned about polls many years ago is questions can be framed in such a way as to have the response that is desired from the company or organization conducting the poll. Yes, there might be some new jobs brought to our state as a result of having expanded gambling, but how many more families will be impacted because the main bread winner is addicted to gambling and as a result of the addiction loose all the income for the family at the race track, or the slots, or the gambling table? Over the years, observing the push for more control by the state on our personal lives, I have noticed that the state at a certain point becomes a predator on the citizens. We see this in the lottery. The promise was made that lottery money would be able to provide what was needed in revenue to put Georgia on the map with pre-k, and higher education that would be second to none. As the lottery money available for education is going down, there is a push by some people to find another revenue stream, and in the wings waiting is the pari-mutuel gambling crowd with their promise that they can deliver what the lottery was unable to do. Little is ever mentioned about the corruption that always follows the large amounts of money dangled in front of certain politicians as they have the job of overseeing the gambling venues in the state. Once again, as this issue is heating up in our state during these struggling times in the economy, there is always over promise and under delivery when it comes to the state being a predator on the citizens with expanded gambling. When a bill to expand gambling in Georgia stalled in the House of Representatives, a Senate Resolution was introduced to attempt to revive the interest in expanded gambling venues by the lawmakers. Once again, they hit the magic button of “Let the people decide.” Do I want more jobs in Georgia? That answer should go without saying, “Yes!” Is it the job of the lawmakers to provide more jobs for the citizens? A free market with fewer regulations and lower taxes will inspire business to expand and create more jobs.
We are always told the control of the gambling venues and proceeds will be under complete regulation of the state government. The state government then will be responsible to promote gambling venues among the citizens in order for the gambling venture to be successful. As more money comes from the pockets of the citizens and into the treasury of the state government the state turns into a predator on the citizens. Some people seem to think it is okay to give more control to the state. We know from history when the government at any level begins to be the predator over the people it is never a positive experience for the citizens. We must remember that Warren Buffett is quoted as saying; “State sponsored gambling is a tax on ignorance.”
Ray Newman
I recently saw a quote from Warren Buffett about state sponsored gambling. He said; “It’s a terrible way to raise money. It’s a tax on ignorance…I don’t like the idea of the government depending, for certain portions of its revenue, on hoodwinking citizens.” This quote by Warren Buffett is from a taped interview on the Stop Predatory Gambling web site.
The Senate in Kentucky last week voted down a proposal from their governor to have casinos in their state. The governor of Kentucky let it be known he was highly disappointed in the people in his state senate because of their vote.
I was told by a radio reporter that a majority of the people polled in Georgia want more gambling venues because of the jobs it will bring to the state. Something I learned about polls many years ago is questions can be framed in such a way as to have the response that is desired from the company or organization conducting the poll. Yes, there might be some new jobs brought to our state as a result of having expanded gambling, but how many more families will be impacted because the main bread winner is addicted to gambling and as a result of the addiction loose all the income for the family at the race track, or the slots, or the gambling table? Over the years, observing the push for more control by the state on our personal lives, I have noticed that the state at a certain point becomes a predator on the citizens. We see this in the lottery. The promise was made that lottery money would be able to provide what was needed in revenue to put Georgia on the map with pre-k, and higher education that would be second to none. As the lottery money available for education is going down, there is a push by some people to find another revenue stream, and in the wings waiting is the pari-mutuel gambling crowd with their promise that they can deliver what the lottery was unable to do. Little is ever mentioned about the corruption that always follows the large amounts of money dangled in front of certain politicians as they have the job of overseeing the gambling venues in the state. Once again, as this issue is heating up in our state during these struggling times in the economy, there is always over promise and under delivery when it comes to the state being a predator on the citizens with expanded gambling. When a bill to expand gambling in Georgia stalled in the House of Representatives, a Senate Resolution was introduced to attempt to revive the interest in expanded gambling venues by the lawmakers. Once again, they hit the magic button of “Let the people decide.” Do I want more jobs in Georgia? That answer should go without saying, “Yes!” Is it the job of the lawmakers to provide more jobs for the citizens? A free market with fewer regulations and lower taxes will inspire business to expand and create more jobs.
We are always told the control of the gambling venues and proceeds will be under complete regulation of the state government. The state government then will be responsible to promote gambling venues among the citizens in order for the gambling venture to be successful. As more money comes from the pockets of the citizens and into the treasury of the state government the state turns into a predator on the citizens. Some people seem to think it is okay to give more control to the state. We know from history when the government at any level begins to be the predator over the people it is never a positive experience for the citizens. We must remember that Warren Buffett is quoted as saying; “State sponsored gambling is a tax on ignorance.”
Ray Newman
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