News Poll
 
Of these, what would be the biggest impact from opening a charter school in Hollister?
Better options for the students
 
(57%)
Unfair advantage for those enrolled
 
(6%)
More innovative teaching practices
 
(9%)
Less innovative teaching practices
 
(1%)
Improved offerings at traditional schools
 
(8%)
The fostering of racial segregation
 
(19%)
Total Votes:208

Thank you for voting in this poll.

This poll is closed.

Past Polls
   Top Opinion
 
   Opinion
 

 Editorial: Target the problem owners
Aug 31, 2010
 
 Editorial: Fires are an alarm bell
Aug 24, 2010
 
  More Opinion...
   

OPINION > LETTERS


Beware of casinos bearing gifts
Sep 28, 2004

Dear Editor,

The Roman poet Virgil once wrote, "I fear Greeks even when they bring gifts." I feel the same way about casino promoters. They are liable to say just about anything to entice the gullible.

One of the most common enticements promoters use is the promise of money. Given the enormous amount of money casinos suck out of the real economy, promoters can afford to make promises. But the money argument does not stack up to common sense or basic economics.

For example, the promoters claim that casino jobs will take people off welfare. Common sense tells us their logic is stretched. After all, how many minimum wage jobs does a person have to work in order to get off welfare in San Benito County? Promoters say casino dollars will support social programs. Let's hope so since studies are clear that casinos bring with them a raft of social problems - including significant increases in the incidence of gambling addiction, divorce, domestic abuse and crime.

The effects on the real economy are also bad, as Minnesota discovered. For example, the Minnesota Restaurant and Hotel Association found that business fell 20 percent to 50 percent at existing establishments when a casino opened nearby. Are we really ready to sacrifice existing businesses for the blue-sky promises of casino promoters?

Let's hope our civic leaders are wiser than those of ancient Troy. Clearly we have problems that need forceful action. But we don't need second-rate solutions - the only kind of solution gambling interests can provide.

Steve Merrell, Hollister

CRAPS (Casinos Represent A Poor Solution)

POST A COMMENT

If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Add to Google Add to My Yahoo!  Email This Article  Print
 Opinion: Letters
Letters: Resident objects to Fairview Corners site
Aug 10, 2010
 
Letters: New Idria was bound for problems, resident says
Aug 3, 2010
 
Letters: Resident defends college president's statement about Gavilan
Jul 20, 2010
 
Letters: Emmaus House applauds effort
Jul 6, 2010
 
 Opinion: Guest Columns
Guest View: Resident wants to take advantage of opportunities
Aug 10, 2010
 
Guest View: Congressman responds about SBC stimulus funding
Aug 3, 2010
 
Guest View: Overwhelming consensus is for Gavilan downtown
Jul 27, 2010
 
Guest View: Gavilan trustee responds to expansion critic
Jul 20, 2010
 
 Opinion: Editorial Cartoons
Editorial cartoon: On second thought
Mar 17, 2010
 
Editorial Cartoon: Toyota, just like new
Mar 2, 2010
 
Editorial cartoon: Guess who made the terrorist watch list?
Nov 10, 2009
 
Editorial cartoons: If you take one more step
May 12, 2009
 
More Letters... More Guest Columns... More Editorial Cartoons...


 Obituaries

 Jack Tyler
5/17/1944 - 8/27/2010

 Maria deAvila Leon
7/15/1921 - 8/26/2010

 Candelaria Gamboa
4/14/1944 - 8/25/2010

 Mateo Zuniga
7/27/1924 - 8/15/2010

 Antonia Elyse Churchill
10/8/1924 - 8/19/2010

 Ronald V. Bacich
10/12/1937 - 8/21/2010

 Mary Catherine Ward
2/9/1944 - 8/9/2010

 Nieves Lopez Daniels
8/10/1926 - 8/20/2010

 Fred Joel Hawkins Jr and Johnie Lucille Hogan Hawkins
4/7/1915 - 8/13/2009
 Photos
News
     
Sports
     
Special Events
     
Full Pages
     
 Videos
The Score: Baler football and boys and girls water polo
Sep 2, 2010
 
The Score: PBR preview, power lifting and volleyball
Aug 25, 2010
 
Video: Meth, cocaine bust in Gilroy
Aug 20, 2010
 
Video: Firefighters put out west-side blaze
Aug 18, 2010
 
 Special Reports
 Most Wanted
 
More Obituaries... More Photos... More Videos...
Advertise | Contact Us | Subscriber Center | RSS Feed
Copyright © 2010 | MainStreet Media Group | All rights reserved.