How To Save Californea….
As Governor Arnold Schwarznegger jets back from DC to the insolvent state he runs I thought I might help him with a bail out plan for Californea (as he pronounces it). Why doesn’t he follow the lead of Delaware Governor Jack Markell and legalize sports wagering accross the state and while he is at it why not legalize all forms of gambling now legal in Las Vegas. Yes, the federal government would have to approve such a measure but they are in no position to say no. How can they let four states collect revenue on this activity but yet deny that right to the other forty-six state governments. The lobbyists representing Nevada in Washington have had their way long enough. How many favors and gratuities do you think have changed hands over the years to ensure Nevada’s virtual monopoly on legalized sports wagering?
You see Delaware has no sales tax so Governor Markell has pushed through a bill that legalizes sports wagering in his state. I heard him this week on the Dan Patrick radio show say that although this activity will be limited to three facilities (racetracks) the projected revenue for the first year alone is $52 MILLION!! Now if tiny little old Delaware could wager that kind of money what do you suppose Californians would risk? Also isn’t the Govenator backing a bill to lessen our dependence on foreign oil? How much oil do you think is burned every weekend when thousands of Californians make the five hour car trek accross the desert to Las Vegas? I also find it amusing that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell feels legalizing sports wagering in “other” states would undermine the integrity of the game and make the public question certain plays and calls. Does he live in a bubble or what? He knows gambling has made the NFL the monster that it is he just can’t admit it publicly. What does Fantasy Football add to the integrity of the game?What other business in America can hold cities hostage to build a “NEW PLANT” with tax payers money under the threat of relocating. NFL lobbyists have to be some of the most powerful people in Washington.
The NCAA also chimes in with their anti-gambling rhetoric and they too are represented in political circles by spokepersons like Rachael Newman Baker who say legalized sports wagering will undermine the college atheletes. This is the same organization that makes millions of dollars by pulling kids out of low income neighborhoods putting them on television to display their talents for four years and then what? Most of these kids do not go on to the NFL, NBA or MLB to make millions. Yet the NCAA generates more than half a billion dollars annually because of them which is ALL TAX EXEMPT REVENUE!!!! Wouldn’t we all like to be invited to some of the “events” thrown by the various NCAA personnel during the bowl season or March Madness.
Now I am not into politics and I am into politicians even less but enough is enough. Billions of dollars in revenue is being sent overseas via internet gambling and many a state could use the additional revenue generated by legalizing sports wagering accross America. Let’s hope the Govenator will wake up in time.