This will no doubt be an historic election and like many others I’m anxious to vote and see the results. While many people are focused on the presidential election, Marylanders must keep their eye on Question 2 as well. It is a very serious policy question and I am of the belief that we must band together to vote against question 2 thus keeping slots out of our state.
Here are five reasons why I’m VOTING AGAINST QUESTION 2 TODAY.
1. I’m voting AGAINST QUESTION 2 ON MORAL GROUNDS. The end – in this case funding for education does not justify the means – problem gamblers squandering away their mortgage money, college tuition funds, etc. All money is not equal. The damage that slots will do to families far outweighs any revenues projected to come in.
2. I’m voting AGAINST QUESTION 2 ON ECONOMIC GROUNDS. Though the language of the question says that the money will primarily be used for education, that is not the truth. About 48% of projected revenues is slated for education. However, there are no NET dollars coming in. Slots money will simply replace funds that are currently being used for education in Maryland. So while slots money is coming in the front door, existing monies will be pulled out the back door. No net gain. you can be for slots and still be against this plan. Who goes to a car dealer and buys the first car they see? Send this plan back to Annapolis stamped “Returned to Sender.”
3. I’m voting AGAINST Question 2 ON RACIAL GROUNDS. Though the slots proposal designates 1.5% toward Minority Business Investment; what it doesn’t tell you is that that money will come in the form of loans that will be doled out to Minority Businesses and must be repaid with interest. The other parties identified in this proposal get a clean cut of the money. The come to the table get their money and walk away. Minority Businesses will have to jump through the red tape of loan applications and interest rates to borrow money that they must repay.
4. I’m voting AGAINST QUESTION 2 ON SOCIAL GROUNDS. Funds for education was the justification that brought the lottery to Maryland. According to Del. Curt Anderson, it started as one drawing a month and now had grown to the mammoth of drawings almost every day of the week. And who do you think buys the most lottery tickets in the state? People from zip code 21215 – Park Heights. $30 Million comes out of Park Heights every year for the purchase of lottery tickets. And what does Park Heights get in return? Crime, blight, concentrated poverty. Park Heights doesn’t benefit from the lottery and Maryland won’t benefit in the long run from slots.
5. I’m voting AGAINST QUESTION 2 ON THE GROUNDS OF COMMON SENSE. Despite the funding allocations designated in the bill, there are still too many loopholes in the language and red flags in the fiscal note that give lawmakers sway in how this proposal will go down. Too much of it requires voters to trust Governor O’Malley to do the right thing and simply stated, I can’t trust him. As the Mayor of Baltimore, he has proven that his word is suspect. Back in 2003, O’Malley called slots a “morally bankrupt way to fund education.” Robert Ehrlich was Governor then and O’Malley was gearing up to challenge him for the top job in the state. Now he’s for slots. His opinion was a political motivated one – not one derived from his morals, values, or virtues. As shared in a previous post, Sheila Dixon wrote an article speaking against slots in 2003, but when O’Malley changed his position, Dixon and most of the other Democrats changed theirs too. There are no morals there. Annapolis is trying to ram this down the throats of its citizens, but I stand with those who are standing AGAINST Question 2 and protecting our state constitution from something as superfluous as slots.
VOTE AGAINST QUESTION 2! NO SLOTS IN MARYLAND!
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Heber, you’re so right! I’m so glad that you are speaking loudly about this. I pray that the initiative loses at the poles today.
Blessings,
Angie
I voted early this morning at Northwood/Appold Center. I was struck at the long lines and the many number of elders who were in a long line waiting for the polls to open. I also saw Robert Curran, jolly and interacting with the voters as he was placing Obama/Biden signs along with signs saying vote yes for question 2. Also the only literature being passed out to those in line were sample ballots and a glossy handout saying vote for question 2. I don’t know how it will turn out but from the people who were talking in line, slots may not have the easy road that the Wizard of MD.(O’Malley) has envisioned.
Thanks for the folks standing outside the polls with “no on 2″ signs. Though I myself oppose slots, I didn’t think it would be that bad as long as it’s not in the vicinity, and was going to vote yes because I was convinced that it would bring in revenue…
Thanks to the one-minute education I received, I voted no.
All the power to you! G-d bless our new pres-elect, tough I’m terrified of him and his policies, I will give him a chance.
8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.