Ohio Ballot Issue 3

Passage of Ballot Issue 3 would amend the Ohio Constitution to allow gambling at some locations in Ohio. Specifically, the ballot reads:

"Permit up to 31,500 slot machines at seven horse racing tracks and at two Cleveland non-track locations.

Permit expanded gaming in the four Cuyahoga County locations if approved by the county's voters."

In return for the gambling privileges, the locations will kickback 30 percent of their revenue for college scholarships and grants.

This issue is easy to analyze.

- First of all, for those who are anti-gambling, just vote NO.

- For those who have friends or relatives that suffer from a gambling addiction and for those who believe that the societal consequence of gambling addicts' behavior is unhealthy for Ohio, just vote NO.

- For those who are not opposed to gambling, per se, but believe that there is gross unfairness in having gambling legally monopolized by nine politically-connected operators, just vote NO.

- Although I am not anti-gambling, I do believe that there are a sufficient number of places for Ohioans to gamble as it is. I also believe that any expansion of gambling in Ohio shouldn't be reserved for a select few racetrack owners and casino operators. If gambling is to become more prevalent, any entrepreneur should be able to get into the business.

Recommendation: Vote NO on Ballot Issue 3.

Furthermore, from a cart and the horse perspective, let's look at the issue by determining what came first. A number of television commercials have been produced promoting this issue as helping young people get scholarships and grants to attend college. In fact, that's all that is being promoted. It's for the children. However, in reality, the gambling at racetracks subject has been bandied about the state for years and the only reason that a portion of the funds are allowed to be skimmed for education is to make the entire scheme palatable to the voters.

Don't kid yourself. The forces behind the issue don't place primary importance on education. The important element of the ballot measure is getting an expansion of gambling in Ohio, by a select few, mind you. The skim for education is no more than creative marketing. Hell, I'd bet that the gambling lobby would give 30 percent to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if it believed the voters would buy into it.

In conclusion, I'd like this post to be liberally construed to favor my purposes.