Sometimes, I find myself literally rolling off my chair at some of the news coming across the wire. Today, was no exception. CNN has posted a story concerning the Stimulus Package and those who may be “shut out” of receiving any portion of the stimulus package. The list is as follows: Zoos, Aquariums, Golf Courses, Swimming Pools and Casinos.
OK, I can agree (somewhat) that Zoos and Aquariums may need some help from the Stimulus Package, however, when it comes to swimming pools and golf course, I’ve got to say NO WAY!
When it comes to Casinos, just who do they think they’re kidding? Casinos across this country have been raking it in for many, many years. They have lived off every American class. They have contributed to making the poor – poorer and even the rich – poor.
While the casino industry may employ many more Americans than the auto industry, just where do we draw the line when handing out billions of dollars in bailout money? Does Wynn or Trump need a bailout? I don’t hear Trump running around thumping his fist at Congress demanding his fair share and I certainly don’t see Wynn asking for money. In fact, Wynn has just finished building his new Encore casino resort and he seems to be doing just fine. If those, at the super conglomerate who own MGM Grand, New York, New York (and about ten other casinos) need a bailout, they should be shown the door. CEO’s like Trump and Wynn appear to have managed their casinos to the point of NOT needing assistance, then again, if we see Wynn or Trump before Congress then it’s a different story.
If any portion is to be claimed by casinos, you can expect them to not only ask for money for their casino but, for their Swimming Pools and Golf Courses as well. In the case of a few of the Vegas casinos, you can expect those with caged up lions, tigers and bears to be attempting to qualify for bailouts under the Zoo category.
What’s next in line is the entire tourism industry. We might as well start handing out money to Disney, Universal Studios and Six Flags as well, they’re suffering too.
The one sector that does not seem to suffer are State Lotteries. They claim to have pumped billions into education over the years and I don’t doubt that claim. In fact, if Americans have a few extra bucks in their pocket, they’ll take that leap of faith and play the American Dream.
I’ve been to the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, Florida a few times in the past year and they don’t seem to be suffering. In fact, they have a ”hold” on this community through mass mailings and advertisements. They offer free car drawings every week, free play and free food coupons. You can go in there any day of the week and find our seniors dumping their pennies into Hard Rock’s machines. Now, with the addition of table games, you can find college students playing Black Jack just about any day of the week. Small local business owners are taking their chances with the little money they have coming in and depositing it at the Hard Rock casino in Tampa.
What we need is NOT to bailout casinos. We need to shut them down and move them out of lcoal communities. They’re paying their employees minimum wage (if they can get away with it) and are reaping in billions per year.
Las Vegas hedged its bets on tourism and Vegas is a prime example of what can go wrong when the economy is in the dumps. However, Vegas is confined to the desert but, Indian casinos are springing up all over the country and/or expanding. Are the Indians helping their own? I would think the answer to that question is a resounding NO! In fact, more than a few billion of the Stimulus Package is earmarked to help the poorest Indian tribes in this country. What this should tell Americans is that the prosperous tribes, operating casinos in this country, are NOT passing down any substantial portion of their gains to the poorest of tribes - at the poverty level.
While the inclusion of casinos within the bailout proposal was symbolic in nature, the thought that anyone could include the word “casino” within any proposal is an insult to the intelligence of Americans. In fact, casinos will more than likely realize increased revenues once the Stimulus Package is approved, as those at the poverty (or near poverty) level will head to their local casino and place their bets.
