Wording of Slots Ballot Issue is ‘Doublespeak'

I read the article about the constitutional amendment that would allow establishment of "video lottery terminals" in certain areas of Maryland. I object to its purpose and its verbiage.

My objection is not based on morality, potential social problems or personal antipathy to gambling. I object to the purpose of the amendment because it does not allow this activity to be pursued by all citizens in all areas of the state. Therefore, it is discriminatory on its face.

Money is fungible. Therefore, how the state uses the money from slots can never be satisfactorily accounted for.

The lack of implementing legislation that would show the total distribution of funds from slots and its accounting methods is not available and can further be manipulated at the will of the legislature and regulatory agencies implementing legislative mandates.

The licensing process can be rife with corruption, and probably will be at some point.

The title of the ballot question — "Authorizing Video Lottery Terminals (Slot Machines) to Fund Education" — is doublespeak. We know that the horse racing industry is trying to get in on the action and save itself from extinction. Also, the gambling industry's heavy financial support for this first step in the reintroduction of slots and probably other forms of legalized gambling to Maryland is well known.

I object to the enumeration of all the different parts of the educational system. It obscures the real intent of the amendment.

Also, I object to the use of the word "gaming" as opposed to "gambling." It is stupid.

The support of the educators for this amendment is a travesty of their mission. What respect I may once have had for their organization has now disappeared. It is time for the real teachers of the state to stand up to their union and decry such blatant selfish and foolish behavior.

If the state wants to have gambling it should go directly into the business as a state enterprise. Let's not have the middleman. We have a state-run lottery system. Just expand on it and have a state-run slot machine system. Allow the machines in private enterprises and collect all the money. Most businesses will grab at the chance to increase their traffic for a stipend to defray their expenses. We already pay some of the lottery winnings to the business that sells a winning ticket. How difficult would it be to follow the same course in the slot machine endeavor? The gambling industry would really cry about such a system.

As a libertarian I should speak against such expansion of state power, but we are talking about money here. Big money. My money. Keep the gambling industry out of this. Keep the citizen in. Maybe the state could really make some money to support a better education system and reduce those college fees and still pay the educators a better salary.

To summarize. Vote against this amendment as written. If gamble we must, let us all have a shot at it. Make the finances transparent. Reduce the possibilities for corruption.

Jim Blass
Mechanicsville

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