Against Issue 3

While sitting at the 1^st preseason Cavaliers game of the year, I was happily enjoying watching the Cavs annihilate Charlotte when, during a time out, an advertisement comes on ‘Q-Tube’ (the big screen at the Q) advocating for issue 3.  This definitely put a damper on my mood during the game because I am against issue 3.

This spurred a conversation, a short conversation of course because the Cavaliers came back onto the court shortly after, about the issue.  My brother is for it because he thinks it will give more jobs to people in the recession and for those lucky few who actually win at the casino will be much wealthier. 

However, I disagree.  True it will give more jobs, but there are many negatives to a casino.  People who enjoy gambling, those types of people who go to Vegas occasionally and spend all the money they have on them, well how much worse would that be if those people could do that every day?  If a casino is just down the block from those same people, they’d be much more likely to go out weekly or even daily and waste all their money.  This is of course really bad for those people, but you may think it’s their fault and their problem.  Well there are other reasons why issue 3 is so bad. 

People believe that bringing casinos to Ohio will make more money for the state in taxes and raise money for Ohio; however, the percent proposed to use for taxes is far lower than in other states, which would result in the casino owners and operators making loads of money while Ohio is left with a minimal profit.  Issue 3 also stops other casino gaming such as “casino nights” offered in churches and charitable organizations.  Another fact that many people may not know is that 2 out of the 4 properties owned by out of state casino developers. 

Voting yes to this issue will create a constitutional monopoly for Ohio casino owners.  We’ve already rejected it many times, so please continue and maybe they’ll just give up already!

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