The Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution in the Bill of Rights respectfully states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people”. (Gerald Murphy, Cleveland Free-Net). This Amendment states the individual’s choice about how to spend ones money.
There are a few reasons that the Government should not involve themselves in this situation. First and foremost the constitution does not authorize the federal government to obligate itself in the gambling and the gaming industry. Second citizens who live in a free society and under democracy and the constitution should be able to spend their money in any democratic way they want. (Will Congress Nationalize Gambling). Gambling involves only willing participants. Unlike taxes, the citizens living in this democracy are given the equal opportunity to purse any means of happiness they wish. People who gamble may win hefty amounts of cash and be content, or on the other hand they can take the chance to lose ample amounts of money and be miserable. But that is the responsibility of the people and the Government should trust and respect that. Spending money in a casino is no different from spending money in a tavern or a sports arena or even at a political fundraiser. The government should not engage themselves in this type of situation.
The gambling industry has supported many different types of organizations and involves themselves financially in numerous associations. To support the Goverment the Republican and Democratic Party’s receive hundreds of thousands of dollars a year from the gaming industry. According to the Center for Responsive Politics the total number of money contributed from the gambling industry to politics in the last presidential election was 6.7 million dollars (Metrobeat). Much of the gambling industry’s rapid expansion in recent years can be attributed to its effective of allowing local businesses and political leaders to be tantalized by promises of increased tourism and economic development (Metrobeat).
The gambling industry supports education and donates millions of dollars to colleges across the United States. For example in Georgia the Hope Scholarship is a program created by the gambling lottery industry and gives full scholarships to well deserved Georgia students. This plan has raised the educational standers at the University of Georgia by giving the students the opportunity to stay in state and attend school for free. The campus used to have low applicants and due to low academic standards was considered a terrible place to attend school. But because of the Hope Scholarship program the academics have been raise and the crimes have been lowered to a very respectable level. Now considered one of the top schools in Georgia the University of Georgia is a difficult school to be accepted to and a respectful school to attend (Will Congress Nationalize Gambling).
The economic benefit of the gambling industry is enormous. The Gambling industry builds and creates a city’s economy. Native American tribal governments maintain the increase of a gambling commerce because they believe it acts as a resource of jobs and extra income (Expanding Gambling in Arkansas). The gaming industry declares that it supplies to social progress. They argue that besides gambling itself they help welfare recipients find jobs (Expanding Gambling in Arkansas). In such states as Arkansas the gambling industry determines that they will bring in more than fifteen thousand jobs into the state. These jobs include lifeguards, waiters, secretaries, casino workers, and in addition to those, extra law enforcement agents will be employed to keep the peace (Metrobeat). The profits from this industry’s pay close to 1.4 billion dollars in state and local taxes and make income of about 25 billion dollars a year (Significant Legislation). The money brought into the states will ultimately pay for some taxes, employ thousands of people, construct a large economy all while raising the standers and putting cities on the map.
The government’s inability to respect the individual citizens choice to waste their money any way the desire violets the Constitution and the Tenth Amendment of the Bill of Rights. “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people”. (Gerald Murphy, Cleveland Free-Net).
Gregory Kastendike
Engl 101
Tuesday November 28, 2000
Pro/Pro
The Legalization of Gambling
There are many reasons why gambling should be banned in the United States of America. Many different angles can be used to attack this topic by creating a strong argument against the legalization of gambling. Most importantly the aspect of moral, religious, and political objections produce enough evidence to stop gambling. The economic benefits do not support gambling in cities and psychological problems affect all of the gambling communities. The gambling industry supports lotteries which high school students spend thousands of dollars playing, all while increasing problems at home and addiction.
The bible points out many quotes disputing gambling. “Gambling promotes covetousness and greed” (Luke 12:15), “Gambling violates the Golden Rule” (Matthew 7:12), and “Gambling can become addictive” (1 Corinthians 6:12) (King James Bible). These statements don’t actually say that gambling is evil but the principals definitely suggest evil intentions. Another aspect of religion would be the moral grounds upon which it stands and it is not worth it to compromise morality. The prophet Isaiah said “Woe to those who call evil good” (Isaiah 5:20). Certainly the Lord does not buy into the justification that it’s good for the economy! (King James Bible).
Even though gambling might, in some cases, bring money into the state and local economies there are side affects to having a casino down the street. The casino might bring in thousands of jobs for the community but the “revenues from gambling aren’t worth the drain it places on the families of working people who wager their paychecks and lose.” Says Mike Huckabee, Governor of Arkansas (Expanding Gambling in Arkansas).
Gambling is seen as a psychological problem affecting millions of Americans across the country. It is estimated that 20 million Americans have or could develop gambling problems, and about half of these are young adults. Gambling is sometimes connected to spouse and child abuse, bankruptcy, mental breakdowns, substance abuse, theft, divorce, and suicide. It is estimated that people are twice as likely to be a problem or pathological gambler if a casino is within 50 miles of their home. Citizens will also experience alcohol-related problems, as the casinos will be permitted to sell or provide complimentary alcoholic beverages during all hours that they operate (Amend. 5, Sect. 10E).
In Congress there are corrupt officials that stimulate the gambling industry. Without gambling these crooked politicians can be put out of office. First, some believe, the government is the power behind the stoppage of gambling in America. However politicians actually fuel the gambling industry. In recent surveys the gambling industry and casinos have supported the Republican and Democratic parties by donating immense amounts of money to “pay off” the politicians. The casino industry has contributed 1.9 million dollars to the Republican Party compared to the 1 million dollars donated to the Democratic Party (Throwing the Game).
Casinos in cities create major crime problems. It is found that organized crime is directly linked to the gambling industry. The amazing increase in crime rates such as Atlantic City’s 320% increase since casinos were created is definitely enough evidence to abandon gambling in the U.S. (Metrobeat). The over 100% increase in rape, burglary, robbery, vehicle theft, and drunk driving arrest has destroyed parts of cities in all casino states. The money earned by the gambling industry is less then the social cost that the taxpayers spend. “For every dollar gambling contributes to the economy, taxpayers spend at least three dollars in social costs” (Will Congress Nationalize Gambling).
In addition to paying taxes for casinos, the lottery is a main reason for a loss of over 400 million dollars in market transaction in Virginia (Will Congress Nationalize Gambling). It is also a problem for the children of all lottery states. In a recent survey 75% of high school seniors have played the lottery. And to almost all the students losing their money also leads to the addiction of gambling and the increase of social and economical problems in the home (Will Congress Nationalize Gambling).
The gambling industry causes economic downfall in the gaming cities. Gambling creates problems at home with the children and promotes good politicians to become corrupt. Gambling causes psychological problems affecting millions of Americans. These problems ultimately lead to bankruptcy, child abuse, mental breakdowns and the destruction of house, home, and life.
Works Cited
Gambling Commission. Significant Legislation. RCW 9.46 1973, Chapter 218, Laws of 1973 (SHB711). www.wsgc.wa.gov/signifca.htm
King James Bible. New York: Amity Press and Bible Publication. 1990
Lynch, Timothy. Will Congress Nationalize Gambling?. New York: Cato Institute’s Center for Constitutional Studies, 1999.
“Meatrobeat.” Creative Loafing. Charlotte , Inc. April, 1998
Stewart, David. Expanding Gambling In Arkansas. Arkansas: Families First Action Committee. January, 1999