I have a minority worldview that doesn’t conform to most religions. There is only one Creator and that is God. Satan cannot create anything and can only pervert what God has created in order to, first of all claim mankind as his, and then to ultimately destroy mankind completely. In that light gaming, wagering, a bit of bravado and putting one’s money where one’s mouth is, in an ideal world is not unheard of, in my view. Yet we can point to gambling as a great playground for Satan and his destructive objectives. There are moral considerations to be considered whenever a casino is proposed.
Here in Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has rejected a proposed Menomonee Indian Casino in Kenosha. He is facing severe ridicule from local media, most of which would be considered conservative. I find these local talking heads extremely short sighted. The issue is much more complicated than it appears.
First of all, local talk shows have ridiculed Indian tribes for not supporting each other, sharing their casino winnings with less fortunate tribes. They point out the stingy nature with which the tribes support their local communities. The local Potawatomi tribe promised to support the larger community when they were given approval for their casino, yet most agree that they don’t give nearly as much as was expected, or as much as they suggest in their advertising that they are giving to worthy causes.
The Potawatomi stopped their payments to Wisconsin, payments that they believe would not be required if another casino were approved, even before the Kenosha casino decision came down. This corresponds to Scott Walker’s main reason for rejecting the Kenosha Casino; that it would be a fiscal burden on the tax payers. The governor is being harshly ridiculed for this reasoning, in light of the Menomonee and their partner, the Seminoles, promising to make up for any losses and even to pay for a new Arena for the Milwaukee Bucks, that would ensure the NBA stays in Milwaukee.
Well, is it a straight out open deal that the Kenosha casino prospective operators are promising or one yet to be worked out later (after approval) with potential strings and loopholes? The Potawatomi held back their payments in violation of the compact they have with Wisconsin. Further, the Potawatomi have promised to sue Wisconsin if the governor approves the Kenosha casino. Everyone says they could never win. Yet Scott Walker is public enemy number one in the eyes of government bureaucracy. I believe Wisconsin could easily lose the law suit, simply as a political attack against Scott Walker in his presidential aspirations. All the conservative talking heads rant that the law doesn’t matter anymore. They rant about how politically motivated liberal judges, ignoring established law, attack the Walker administration’s every proposal. They point to the wild and irrational opposition Scott Walker has had to endure. Would the bureau of Indian Affairs be any different?
Why do you, you local talking heads, see the casino as a giant economic boom, and not a Walker presidency that you may be jeopardizing by your irrational attacks? Can you not distinguish between a casino economy, and a booming private economy of manufacture and public service? How can you not see the potential, after all you’ve seen and reported on, for a trap, to not only make Scott Walker look like a flip-flopper but an incompetent? Have you been privy to the year of negotiations that preceded Scott Walker’s decision? Why are you being so blind?
You talking heads, is Scott Walker to take the stand that you appear to take, but are now ignoring; that the tribes are unreliable and that there is a political conspiracy to discredit him? Is that what you want him to say as you continually demand an explanation for his rejection of the proposed casino?
Consider the consolidation of political power, in the form of dollars, in regard to casinos. Everyone admits that a casino transfers entertainment dollars away from more traditional entertainment venues. Those would be private sector, often small business, venues. To which party do the casino dollars generally go? To which party would small business dollars go? Are not Indian casinos dependent on government support, and in turn would they not be looking out for the interest of government, not the people?
In regards to the Arena, is not the NBA, and all professional sports leagues indebted to government on an ever growing scale, as arena deals are bought and sold with the public dollar? And what is the trend for arenas? Why does the NBA demand a new arena? Much like a casino, NBA franchises are consolidating all the entertainment venues, such as dining, under their personal umbrella. Again, taking economy away from independent small business owners and transferring it to a consortium the government can more easily manipulate.
The local streetcar project here in Milwaukee is another example of the consolidation of money under government, not to mention an assault on modes of personal transportation. Its unbelievable costs will deny the public of financial independence through an oppressive tax burden. Excessive engineering contracts are not required to repair a typical city street. Streetcar and other such projects, with their contracts running now into the billions, grow engineering and construction trades that then become dependent upon the government teat to survive in their bloated state. Their political contributions correspondingly support the party that puts forth the most succulent prospects. Better than a Union and on the surface more respectable than a phony green enterprise.
When no one can afford a car, when everyone must buy from shops along the streetcar route, shops government approved and subsidized, and we all gather at the casino, as our only source of entertainment, to watch the elite throw their money around, because we can’t afford tickets to the game and it’s not available on local broadcast television but only on paid TV, will we all be fighting for the approval of just one more casino?
An exaggeration? Or a trend? Is Scott Walker making a mistake or exercising extraordinary political understanding and prowess?
No comments:
Post a Comment