Casino initiative?

[gaspee]

What does everyone think about it? I'm sick to death of the commercials already.

I'm voting against it. I have a lot of different reasons, but it all boils down to I don't like the deal, I don't think Kent County Water can supply a complex like that, most of the jobs are low-paying, gambling addiction, etc.

I have many many reservations and I'm voting no. But I'm willing to listen to other people.

So, Rhode Islanders, West Warwick Casino run by Harrah's and their "partners" yea or nay?

[stellanoir]

1. "Gambling

is just another way of taxing the poor."

Thomas Jefferson

No way= nay

[chumbawamba]

2. Yea

I think it's a good (but not fantastic) idea. Everything has come up roses in Connecticut with their casinos, and the tribe that owns Foxwoods is now the richest tribe in North America. They don't have a gambling problem in Connecticut, or in RI for that matter. The construction jobs will be high-paying and union, and that $144 million a year in property tax relief is a big sell.

So I vote yea.

[gaspee]

3. The problem is

That the tribe won't benefit for the most part, Harrah's will.

And I'm really, really PO'ed that Sachem Thomas had an entire family kicked off the roles. My step dad is Narragansett, but because he is 1/8, he's not on the roles. Even if he were on the roles, I'd vote no.

I just think it's a bad idea overall.

And the jobs will be low-paying jobs that they import people with H1 visas to fill. Have you been to foxwoods recently? I was there about three months ago and it seemed like every single job was filled by someone here on a work visa. I normally wouldn't have a problem with that, but these are not high-skilled jobs and they're importing cheaper labor than the local labor supply.

Then there's that pesky RI corruption problem. I think we're kidding ourselves if we think everything will be above board.

[Chico Man]

6. Property tax relief?

Sounds like the promise to return our sales tax back to 5% once it paid for the S&L scandal. Promises.. promises.

[grizmaster]

4. I'm going yea

To me it seems like the state is just bitching about their piece, not objecting for any other reason. And last I checked the Indians are supposed to have a soveriegn nation. If they want it they should be the ones deciding it not us colonial interlopers.

[Chico Man]

5. I voted no

Foxwoods grew out of what was once a bingo hall. What works for them will not work for the Narragansetts. They went with Harris too soon. They need to rethink this and lead rather than follow.