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Chris Siebrasse's avatar

I can’t remember ever disagreeing with you on anything before, but I now do disagree with this proposal, Doug. I suspect gambling is one of the most underreported sources of misery visiting Iowa families. I hope I’m wrong, but I have an inkling I’m right.

We don’t need anymore gambling sites in Iowa.

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Bill Radl's avatar

There is no good reason to approve a new casino. I have no truck with moral objections, but the argument from Governor Mini Bone Spur and others (from both parties) that says gambling is a great source of "new money" for education and community development is disingenuous at best. New money loses its luster and impact almost immediately, as those who argue FOR gambling then argue for lowering taxes (and for giving tax funds to private religious schools) because of the gambling windfall. It's a zero sum argument at best and at worst permits our political leaders to take advantage of those who can afford gambling the least. The beneficiaries of casinos are casino owners and rich non-casino owners who get a reduced-tax bonus delivered to them under a smoke screen.

Go ahead and build the casino, if you want. But gambling is gambling and the House always wins.

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