[StBernard] Louisiana Election Buzz: Jindal, GOP Make Gambling Campaign Issue

[Westley Annis]

This is an interesting position paper by the writer, but it is flawed due to
his trying to steer the reader to "his" conclusions.

His assumption is if Jindal or any gubernatorial candidate does not say he
is in favor of gambling, then he must be against it and will work (as
governor) to dismantle the gambling industry in Louisiana.  In Jindal's
case, he tries to create the impression as if Jindal is hiding a secret plan
and intends on "dropping a bomb" on the gambling industry once he takes
office - all based on Jindal simply not giving the answer he (the writer)
was looking for during the debate.

This is misleading.  I personally am not a proponent of gambling.  However,
that doesn't mean if I became governor of Louisiana that I would do anything
to change it.  The people of this state voted it in and that's good enough
for me.  I tend to believe that's probably Jindal's position and the other
candidates as well.  Sure, Jindal's not dumb enough to say what he really
might think deep down because (A) his opponents by nature are ready to
pounce on anything he says to turn it around against him, and (B) he
probably figures as I do that his personal beliefs on gambling and what he
would like to see done with the industry doesn't add up to a hill of beans
against what the people want...so why say anything at all on the issue?

Like I said, I certainly don't consider myself personally to be
pro-gambling, but even I wonder into a casino from time to time, if only for
the great buffets - and sometimes I might even try my luck.  I don't see a
casino as forbidden ground.  But if they disappeared tomorrow, I wouldn't
miss them either.  And if others see them as the devil's playground - great,
I respect their view as well and don't think it silly that they won't step
foot into a casino.

The writer goes on to proposition gambling opponents, specifically the state
GOP, to say if they are against gambling, then...

	"they should tell the thousands of restaurants and bar owners and
employees who meet their 	monthly notes due to the additional revenues
generated by these endeavors.  If so, they should 	tell Harrah's New
Orleans to hit the road.  If so, they should close down the lottery..."

Such a statement is an ignorant one because it is based in "absolutism" -
that the options are only black and white, left or right, my way or no way.
I've always hated absolute propositions, particularly when the writer tries
to get you to believe there are only two choices - hoping you are too
ignorant to think and realize there might be additional options or
conclusions.

Not to mention, the comment is simply wrong to begin with.  True, many
business owners view the video poker machines in their bar, restaurant, etc.
as bringing in additional income.  But, as even one restaurant owner I know
told me, "if I didn't have the machines, I still believe people would spend
money in my place on drinks, food, etc."  He's probably right.  Gamblers are
not going to hold onto their money - they are going to either gamble it away
or spend it elsewhere in other ways.  And if they spend it on food and
drink, the restaurant owner actually makes much greater profit off that than
his smaller cut from the video poker machines.

Still, people should have what they want - or not want.  There is much talk
again about putting the video poker referendum back onto the ballots in many
parishes to see if voters have changed their minds over the past 10 years.
I'm sure some parishes where voters last voted it down might see a change
next time around - and vice versa.  I am not opposed to putting it back onto
the ballot because I always believe in letting the people decide - not
elected officials.  And all referendums should be revisited every so many
years because people's attitudes and values can change.

The writer is correct about one thing he implies - don't take at face value
what you hear candidates say.  Spend a little time and research the issues
and each candidate's history.  Draw your own conclusions and make your own
decision as to who is best to lead our state.

John Scurich


 

-----Original Message-----
Louisiana Election Buzz: Jindal, GOP Make Gambling Campaign Issue 

Written by: Stephen Sabludowsky
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Yesterday, I received a slick postal mailing from the Louisiana Republican
Party--an "information" piece educating me on lack of virtues of John
Georges and gambling.  It was called "John Georges. Gambling With Our
Future."

 

This mailing accused Georges of stacking "the deck in his favor", said he
got "rich off gambling" and said that Georges plan is a "Bad Bet for
Louisiana"

 

I am a person who has spent a grand total of five to ten dollars in the
entire gambling industry which includes the lottery, video poker, any and
all forms of casino gambling, so, without hedging, I can honestly say "I am
not a gambling man".

 

But, since the Louisiana Republican Party and Bobby Jindal have been
painting Georges green with gambling dollars, it's time to see exactly where
they stand on the issues. 

 

During the Shreveport debate last month, the questioner asked about the
Shreveport Riverboat Casino which according to many in that area is
important to the region.  The citizens are concerned about the prospects of
competing states taking away their dollars.  Georges, Walter Boasso and
Foster Campbell all answered the question directly about gambling in that
area.  Bobby Jindal did not.  All of the other candidates said maintaining a
viable riverboat gaming industry was important for that part of the economy.
Jindal skirted the issue and talked about consistencies of government
regulations.  I raised the question then why did he not want to talk about
gambling.  Knowing what I now know how he does not answer questions that
could hurt him, I could only speculate that he did not want to upset his
base.   

 

Last week, Jindal started running ads regarding Georges being involved in
video poker.  Then came the non-ending Republican emails about Georges and
the industry.  Finally, yesterday, I received the glossy green mailing
emblazoned with casino chips.  All of these questions now raise the much
bigger and broader issue for Jindal and the Louisiana Republican and perhaps
some Democrats to answer before election day:  Are they against video poker,
the Harrah's casino, riverboat gambling, the lottery and the other forms of
betting which the Louisiana legislature deemed legal although they entitle
it "gaming"?

 

If so, they should tell the thousands of restaurants and bar owners and
employees who meet their monthly notes due to the additional revenues
generated by these endeavors.  If so, they should tell Harrah's New Orleans
to hit the road.  If so, they should close down the lottery.  If so, they
should Jindal get into power, he should immediately call a special session
along with his session on ethics and return all of the ill-gotten gain
Louisiana has received in gaming taxes (by giving it all to charity)-- which
this state has received since the legislative decision to allow the
industry.  

 

Again, it is not the gaming I crave since all forms of gambling in Louisiana
and elsewhere would go bankrupt by my dollars spent.  Plus, I do believe
that Georges should have more accurately have answered the question posed to
him by saying he is in the process of giving up his gaming interests instead
of saying he did.  But, it is the incredible hypocrisy of the
holier-than-thou crowd that will do anything to gain power that has gotten
my ire.  

 

Let us be honest for once and put our hands on the table:  Jindal and now
the Republican Party and Democrats who agree should tell us if they will
shutter our windows and doors and just let Mississippi and soon Texas to
rake in those revenues?   Blaming one who benefited and talking in fast
circles about an issue to prevent political fallout is not being honest with
the people of Louisiana.  Then, what can we expect from a person who refuses
to face his critics or the good people of this state in an open and honest
discussion.  

 

On another matter, according to the Advocate, Richard Ieyoub yesterday said
that Bobby Jindal and then Governor Foster attempted to block his lawsuit
against the tobacco industry which resulted in over 4 billion dollar
settlement with the state.  For the life of me, I do not understand why
Ieyoub did not raise this issue during his campaign for Governor in 2003,
but he did not.  Still, there are legal papers in forms of affidavits
showing that Jindal and Foster claimed he lacked of authority to sue.  The
Courts disagreed with Jindal and Foster.  For the record, tobacco is another
vice which I do not partake.  However, if Jindal was so against that
lawsuit, he should also demand that Louisiana return the ill-gotten gain
from the suit.

 

I have nothing against restricting gambling or tobacco if that is what the
future Governor and legislature wants.  But, when I hear straight questions
completely circumvented, when I see commercials depicting that someone took
legal advantage of an industry and when I read a "slam piece" that projects
that John Georges is the king of the money hill of betting, I say to the
Louisiana GOP and to their boy wonder to put their own mouths where their
money is.  Either shut down the industry or shut up.  But don't tell us that
an industry is bad and when a man makes good, bash him for his luck and good
fortune and make him look like he is the only one who has benefited from
this industry.  

 

If John Georges' money is so dirty, I challenge all of the Republicans and
Democrats who have one hand in their pockets and the other holding their
noses to return his contributions and donations from his ill-gotten gains.
The hypocrisy reeking from those who are complaining is sickening.  Let all
Republicans and Democrats running for office in 2007 speak the truth upon
where they stand on the issue of gambling or "gaming" in Louisiana.  The
Louisiana Republicans with their emails and their postal mailings and now
Jindal has made it a major campaign issue, and it is only fair to eliminate
the jokers who want to be our leaders with the truth.  But, don't bet on it.