As you know, the original plan for a casino at Suffolk Downs was such that it required a vote in both East Boston and Revere. Now, Suffolk Downs didn’t have to design the plan that way. Obviously, given what they’re doing now in front of the Gaming Commission, it was always possible to locate the casino entirely in Revere. Had they gone that route initially, they would have needed a vote only in Revere. But they didn’t – they chose to propose the plan requiring a vote in both municipalities.
And, as you also know, Revere said yes, but East Boston said no.
So, having gambled and lost, Suffolk Downs wants to try again.
Does this strike anyone else as ironic? Remember, it’s a casino they want to build. Imagine that you walk up to the roulette wheel in a casino and lay down some money on “red,” but the spin comes up “black.” How do you think it would go if you tell the croupier that you’d like to retain your bet, this time placing it on “black”?
Maybe we should float this deal with Suffolk Downs: we’ll let them proceed with the Revere-only plan if, should they end up building a casino in Revere, the gamblers all get two tries before losing a bet.
I think the principle at stake here is, the house always wins.
I love it, great idea!
I think the principle here is that the gambling industry is not principled but rather a predatory business not deserving recognition and legal status in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Legislators and Governor Patrick created a convoluted law that it not working “just the way it is supposed to.” -DLP
Rather, it has created chaos, wasted time, energy and resources throughout dozens and dozens of municipalities; fostered animosity between taxpayers, municipal, state officials and been a corruption fest complete with foreign mafia, extortion, criminal actors and ponzi-like debt/financing of shell corporations.
The mixed arrogance, naivete and hubris of those who voted to bring this industry-in-decline to the commonwealth cannot really be overstated. The gambling industry never, ever, ever stops preying upon government, citizens and even our children. They eat their own and yours too.
Tom Vannah does a good job in the Valley Advocate this week in a cryptic but truth-laced editorial. Please note the subtitle which is something I have tried to caution party members and leaders about for some time. “Democrats will pay for casino hypocrisy.”
“Between the Lines: Our NIMBY Governor.”
And that my friends, is how many of the base feel, today.
Lots of you were silent but found your voice when the casino proposals encroached upon your backyard. The Valley Advocate, Commonwealth Magazine, Vennochi/Abraham, WoBiz and the T &G were the few sources of real journalism on this “non-major” plank of the Patrick Administration’s economic development policy. The comments at the end of Vannah’s editorial are almost heart-breaking from a person without broadband access in their region…STILL.
…one could also say that so far the Affordable Care Act is also, “not working the way it was supposed to”.
There is a difference in a website ACA cluster and a law that rips communities apart pitting neighbor against neighbor; hosts against surrounding communities. And thank you for calling it the Affordable Care Act vs.Ob*** care.