We were inspired to go out sloshing through the slush and rain knocking on doors telling people of Deval Patrick and his messages of “Take a chance on hope”. Patrick spoke of, our schools, our highways and how “we all have a responsibility to help pay for them.” Who understood this to mean casinos? Instead of making the hard decision to share in the pain in hard times, we would be asked to throw the hardest hit, the most desperate under the bus to save those that know better from having a tax increase?
In his inaugural address Deval Patrick proclaimed, “For a very long time now we have been told that government is bad, that it exists only to serve the powerful and well-connected, that its job is not important enough to be done by anyone competent, let alone committed, and that all of us are on our own. Today we join together in common cause to lay that fallacy to rest, and to extend a great movement based on shared responsibility from the corner office to the corner of your block and back again.” But here he is ready to sign into law a bill that would the largest transfer of wealth from the least powerful to the well-connected. Other than signing the predatory gambling/happy hour bill, what have you done today to make you feel proud?
The words will fade, and the pain and devastation will be Deval’s legacy. There have been numerous reports that bringing in casinos will cause long term job losses and decline in revenue. An article in today’s Boston Globe claims that Deval was given such a report done by the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank in 2007. In 10 years, when this goes south, he will not be able to claim he did not understand the risk when signing this bill.
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she’s sitting at the craps table, and he won’t find out he’s wrong until it’s too late.
The New Testament states if we fail to warn our brother, and our brother comes to harm, his blood is on our garments – Sue, there is no “blood” on your garments.
You have warned Deval Patrick that his legacy is likely to be Casino gambling, and the degradation of the economy and social fabric of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The profits will go out of state – and mostly over seas – the problems* and shuttered small businesses will stay here.
* List of problems, based on my personal observations in: (1) Detroit, Michigan, (2) Atlantic City, New Jersey, and (3) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; (4) Niagara Falls, Ontario.
In all four locations, the Casinos glowed with neon, and seemed to be pretty busy. Walking one block from each, there were block after block of darkness, shuttered businesses, blowing trash, and people sitting on the steps of shuttered businesses, with most streetlights out, drinking booze out of brown paper bags amongst the blowing trash. I had been to each of these four locations several times before casinos were built, and those now dark, shuttered areas were vibrant streets full of restaurants, clubs, and independent retail stores.
Casinos cause folks to “turn on each other” like cannibals. As a legacy, it is dark, sad, and shameful.
Of course, I am of the same opinion as to the starvation and destruction of a once proud and high-functioning judicial branch. No more. Every time I return to one of the courts, especially the older buildings like Middlesex Probate and Family Court the water damage, antiquated equipment, and deterioration is evident. I will say it again – without access to justice in a well-functioning, well staffed court the best laws aren’t worth spit because those laws are not enforced to protect the vulnerable.
And I am none too happy.
And I also, am none to happy.
is not happy either. I let the Governor know, but it looks like my one citizen’s opinion will not make much difference.
Is a dealer really a “good job?”
with Mrs. Jones, and I have to say Patrick has not been a stellar governor. I get the impression he’s never mastered the details of running the state or playing politics. That said, his Value Over Replacement Player was significant, and he got us a few wins.
The casino thing is not just destructive to people, but embarrassing. We might get an influx of cash from selling licenses, but it’s a long-term loser, and we’re at a point where there’s enough data to know that. But the political train left the station a while ago and that’s what’s making it happen.
But its much too strong, to let it go.
when you consider the alternatives we had in the winter of 2006 and 2010. Actually in retrospect, Charlie is looking pretty good.
Now, as we deal with a lame duck with 3 long years to go, it’s time to think of alternatives for 2014. Its time.