Ohio is finally going to get slot machines!  Although our Governor ran on a platform which included NO gambling (slots or otherwise)….you know…because it’ll ‘morally corrupt and make the poor poorer’.   He campaigned HARD against this.  Our Governor Ted Stickland actually went out on a limb, went against his own ideals and approved putting slots in all the racetracks…and a.s.a.p.!  (Did I mention it did NOT go back on the ballot?  It was just enacted).  Here’s a SHORT history of gambling in Ohio:

Now, the funny part is…many people worked tirelessly getting issues on the ballot the last few elections and were defeated.   But voters were scared into voting ‘no’ because you know…we’d be morally corrupt…crime would rise…people would be blowing their money gambling when they could be feeding their family.   But oddly, AFTER the big defeats…we DID get KENO (an Ohio Lottery game) at thousands of bars in Ohio.  I guess maybe somehow putting gambling machines in BARS somehow is better?  I mean, what?…if you’re drunk and losing your ass paycheck is that somehow different?  And…apparently State sponsored gambling (Keno) is somehow different than casino slots.   Does it make a person less morally corrupt if the money goes to the State rather than a casino owner?  Hmmmmm.

*blink*                     ahhhhh, but WAIT!  There’s more!  Yes, this get’s better! 

Ahhh, but when faced with budget cuts and economic depression, I suppose all those moral values and arguments go right out the proverbial window.  And in addition to Keno…we will now have actual SLOT gambling!

A sampling of Strickland’s past statements on gambling . . .(bolded for reader skimming)

* Democratic Congressman Ted Strickland, a psychologist, warns of the social costs that accompany gambling addiction, which he called “an insidious condition that can ruin lives.“  (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/24/06)

* Although the proposal includes money to treat gambling addictions, Strickland said its inclusion “points to my biggest concern as a psychologist: This is a difficult addiction to treat.”  (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/24/06)

* Strickland, the Democratic front-runner, told The Plain Dealer’s editorial board earlier this week that he is not supportive of expanding legalized gambling in the state. While he didn’t bring up religion, his denomination’s Social Principles, which are its guideposts of faith, are clear. They denounce gambling as “a menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic, and spiritual life, and destructive of good government.”  (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/25/06)

* “I don’t think an answer to Ohio’s economic future is expanded gambling,” [Strickland] said.” (Columbus Dispatch, 4/13/06)

Then there’s the question of campaign contributions to Stickland.

According to campaign-finance reports, Strickland has received more than $50,000 from individuals and companies associated with gambling…Strickland also held two campaign fund- raisers at West Virginia racetracks. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/13/06)

Strickland acknowledged that he has gotten money at two fundraisers at West Virginia racetracks that operate electronic slots and has taken campaign contributions from gambling interests. But he said he has “received financial support and resources from a lot of people who, if they’re giving me those resources because they expect a certain public policy out of me, are likely to be terribly disappointed.” (Columbus Dispatch, 4/13/06)

So, there you have it! Ohio finally gets to keep some money here rather than exporting it to every state that neighbors us and their casinos!  How it happened was a bit weird….our Governor caved in on his moral values and publicly stated platform, but we’re getting slots baby!   And….the campaign contributors are no longer disappointed!

It just goes to show you that no matter what happens, a politician is likely to change his position and follow that almighty dollar.  Democrat, Republican….doesn’t matter. They all have that uncanny ability to sniff out the green.

*for the record, I was always FOR casino’s in Ohio.  My thought was that people who gamble are going to go out of state and gamble.  Why not keep it in our own state?
*ANNNNND….yes you may have noticed I’m talking about a Democratic official.  Surprised?  I’ve told you all along, it doesn’t matter to me WHICH party they are in….told ya.