Struggling Ohio Opens Doors To Casinos

Really???,

You seem to think that legalizing something brings less control to it, not more.

I do think heroin, prostitution, and gambling should be legal.  Why?  Because it is proven, around the world, that legalizing, regulating, and taxing these industries, industries which exist no matter the legal status, prevents harm.

You don’t want to have gambling because some people might get addicted.  From what I’ve read, gambling addiction affects 6% of gamblers.  You think those addicted aren’t going to gamble online, buy lottery tickets, use a bookie, go online and bet, or call vegas and place a bet?  You are willing to let the 6% of people dictate policy for all?

Same with drug legalization,  the facts are numerous and easy to read.  Our prohibition has done nothing to lower drug use in this country.  Programs like D.A.R.E. have actually increased drug use.  Compare that to Portugal, where all drugs are decriminalized, and in 6 years they have shown a dramatic decrease in abuse, overdoses, and blood borne illnesses.

The same is said of prostitution.  Compare the prostitutes that work at the legal brothels in Reno to those that walk the streets of Columbus.  Which girls aren’t getting beaten?  Which girls are being checked regularly for diseases?  Which girls have a safe work environment? 

I am not willing to surrender my choices as an adult because a small percentage of people abuse something.  If that were the case, we’d still have alcohol prohibition, because alcohol is directly responsible for close to $200 billion in annual damages, and is a significant factor in all types of violent crimes. 

What about tobacco?  It kills 450,000 plus Americans annually, cost billions of dollars in damages to businesses, increases the cost of health care, and has an extremely negative effect on the non-smokers who sit around smoking, and yet it is still legal.

The government has stripped our rights away and told us that it was for our own good, when you look at the results this, its plain to see that no, it has not beeen good for us, and we have certainly not benefited.  Instead we have 25% of the world’s entire prison population.  Our prisons are overcrowded and we end up releasing violent criminals to lock up people guilty of selling or using drugs.

This nanny state will be the downfall of society.

Yay casinos!!!! Kinda funny for you ney sayers. I’ve been to Vegas and Atlantic city a thousand times and have no addiction problems, break the law, rape pillage or steal. I have a very healthy relationship with my wife and family. Judging by some of your comments this is not possible. Kinda funny all of our friends like to gamble and are pretty much in the same boat. Sure I’ve spent thousands gambling but I would rather give a big tip when I hit to a fellow ohioan than anyone else. I’m also very happy for Bob in “anywhere” Ohio that will soon have a job and be able to pay his mortgage. Way to go “lady that has expendable cash” , likes poker and helps Bob pay his mortgage. By the way, anything under 16 the dealer has to hit, just incase you wanted step off the soapbox and pick up some cards. Happy winnings!

While you’ve made quite the case for your stances, it seems apparent you’ve completely missed my point. How you actually feel about these issues is irrelevent. I only used them as filler in order to show the harm in following your “You can’t save everyone, there’s no point” argument. It could have been any political hot topic and essentially it would have amounted to the same thing. It doesn’t matter that we can’t fix everything and save everyone, we still HAVE to try. Imagine if firefighters bought into the notion that you can’t save everyone in that building so why try saving any?

I find your Libertarian view admirable. I wish I trusted that people where inherently responsible enough to make the best choices for themselves and our country as a collective. I don’t. I believe that in many cases what you do with you life affects my life and those lives in your family and community and nation. You become addicted to gambling, squander away your money and then have to file bankruptcy. You get sick or break a bone and have to go the emergency room. You have no money, so guess who has to pay that bill? Not you! Or take into consideration if there are kids involved. Who gets to pay for their clothes and supplies for school when their parent has lost every dime? Not the parent! Addictions cost us; Us the extended family, us the tax payers, us the non-profit community organizations, us the local church memebers. We are affected by the poor judgement and addictions of the individual. So in this case, it is as much a social justice issue, out of sympathy for the addicted and the victims as it is preventing myself from having to help those who could otherwise avoid needing that assistance. Even if it is just a handful out of the bunch, it’s worth doing.

Then by your logic, heroin, prostitution, and human trafficking should be legal because we are powerless to stop them? No, you’re right, we can’t save everyone. But we are a much better country for trying to, one case at a time.

Right, but we regulate some of these things, and rightfully so. There’s no harm in moderately and fairly trying to stop the abuse where we can, is there? It may be nothing more but a drop in the bucket but trying to make the world a better place is what keeps our heads above water as individuals.