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How is that a lack of decency?
From the Review Journal, who recently endorsed Obama:
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama enjoys poker and blackjack, and admires the way the gaming industry powers Nevada's economy. But in his home state, it's a different story. As a matter of principle, he repeatedly opposed expanding gambling in Illinois, saying it was bad for communities and not a good way to fund government. As recently as 2003, Obama, then an Illinois state senator, said he believed the "moral and social cost of gambling" was potentially "devastating" and that using gaming as a source of revenue or for economic development was "irresponsible." He didn't think Illinois legislators should accept political contributions from the gaming industry, and in 2004 and 2006 refused federal contributions from gaming companies. Today, it's a different story: He's the U.S. Senate's No. 10 recipient of gaming donations, backed in Nevada by such industry insiders as Billy Vassiliadis and Elaine Wynn, and actively seeking the support of the gaming-dependent Culinary union.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama enjoys poker and blackjack, and admires the way the gaming industry powers Nevada's economy.
But in his home state, it's a different story. As a matter of principle, he repeatedly opposed expanding gambling in Illinois, saying it was bad for communities and not a good way to fund government.
As recently as 2003, Obama, then an Illinois state senator, said he believed the "moral and social cost of gambling" was potentially "devastating" and that using gaming as a source of revenue or for economic development was "irresponsible."
He didn't think Illinois legislators should accept political contributions from the gaming industry, and in 2004 and 2006 refused federal contributions from gaming companies.
Today, it's a different story: He's the U.S. Senate's No. 10 recipient of gaming donations, backed in Nevada by such industry insiders as Billy Vassiliadis and Elaine Wynn, and actively seeking the support of the gaming-dependent Culinary union.
by Partially Impartial on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 05:52:27 PM PDT
[ Parent ]
Because I am, and I'll tell you, our issue with gambling goes far deeper than what you can read in a paper from Nevada.
Gambling in Illinois is being proposed as a means to fund our substantially messed up public transit system. Yesterday, our legislature passed a bill that will force us to pay $10.50 for every $1,000 per real estate transaction because they don't feel there is anywhere else that the money can come from and our sales tax and city tax are already outrageously high.
But you read an article from a paper in Nevada, so I'm sure you know everything about the gambling debate here in Illinois.
"You can't at once argue that you're the master of a broken system in Washington and offer yourself as the person to change it." - Barack Obama
by GirlZero on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 05:59:47 PM PDT
by Partially Impartial on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:01:36 PM PDT
of relevant material that would lead Obama to make the decision he made.
And that you're now calling him a "flip-flopper" based on the fact that you read one article that only partially mentions a complex issue.
by GirlZero on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:04:01 PM PDT
And you haven't refuted anything from the article.
by Partially Impartial on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:05:45 PM PDT
You don't know anything about the issue in question. Zilch. And you're calling him a flip-flopper is baseless.
Many lawmakers in Illinois oppose gambling here not simply for the reasons cited in your precious article, but because adding casinos to Illinois' already established entertainment industry will pull consumers away from the small businesses already in existance here.
You really have some nerve, acting all pompous and righteous about issues you know nothing about. You will say ANYTHING to defend your candidate, just like she will say anything to win this election.
by GirlZero on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:09:14 PM PDT
by Partially Impartial on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:11:27 PM PDT
It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment. Ansel Adams -6.5 -6.75
by Statusquomustgo on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:12:14 PM PDT
But that's saying an awful lot when you're arguing against a Clinton.
by Empower Ink on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:15:21 PM PDT
for going after Obama on this, yet you offer nothing in terms of support for that claim. You do nothing to refute her claims.
How is that showing integrity? To me, it shows a taste for taking a cheap rhetorical shot without having any substance to back you up.
by Partially Impartial on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:19:34 PM PDT
that gaming built Las Vegas, it was there nearly from the beginning and transformed Las Vegas from a small town into what it is today. Rust belt industrial cities who had economies built on manufacturing are a different species. Introducing gaming into these communities has a deliterious result, just look at Atlantic City if you have any doubt. You should recognize the difference but it isn't critical if you don't. That a candidate for president doesn't recognize the difference is troubling, that she should use it as ammunition against her opponent is more that troubling, it shows how utterly reprehensible she is. You should be ashamed of yourself for flacking for this snake.
by crankyinNYC on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:37:15 PM PDT
why he's now taking money from the gaming industry after previously objecting.
It also doesn't explain how continuing to promote gaming in Las Vegas won't contribute to the same problems he fears in Illinois (and it does).
by Partially Impartial on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 06:41:34 PM PDT
the state of California instituted the lottery to help out the schools, and judging by the percentage of our taxes that go towards California Public Schools, I don't believe that was a success. My jury is still out on the Indian casinos here in California and whether or not the average member of each tribe benefits, or does the bulk of the money go to the supporters of these casinos, who have already made a fortune in Las Vegas, and elected officials to get legislation passed in favor of bigger and bigger casinos. I frequent these casinos often, and let me tell you Obama is 100% correct, the poor people outnumber the high rollers by a lot.
by Vera Lofaro on Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 08:21:27 PM PDT
wide narrow
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