Viva Las Massachusetts

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/09/under_patrick_p.html



Deval Patrick has given the high sign to the State signifying his thumbs up to casino gambling. Much like everything he does, I expect that this will be much bluster and hot air before anything of consequence comes of it. Already DeMasi is condemning the idea and the anti-casino lobby is rolling up to shoot it down.

I'm not opposed to casinos. I think in moderation, a casino or two in Massachusetts would be a nice bump to the revenue stream. God know we need it.

But its not a cure all. Its not going to improve my quality of life. We seem to be so deep in the hole, that any revenues realized will simply be keeping us afloat.

20 Billion in transportation cost mismanagement is what the past quarter century have brought us. Fattened pensions, corruption and patronage are to blame. Bridges are crumbling and roads are falling apart, but toll takers still bring home 60K a year for stealing out of the cash box.

Have you ever seen a help wanted ad looking for toll takers? Ask yourself why.

Governor Gary Coleman certainly generated a lot of false hope with ' together we can' and has yet to deliver on his promises. Is this his answer? Perhaps. Is it a good one? To a point.

The problem I have is that this isn't going to improve my quality of life. The graft , corruption & patronage will continue. This will simply fuel it. A gaming commission? Please. Another nationwide search before the cousin of a state rep or prior state rep gets the gig?

There are other answers. Consolidate Mass Highway and the Turnpike authority. Get rid of the toll takers. Convert the states pension boondoggle into 401(k) plans like the rest of us have. Increase the cost sharing of heath care like we all have to pay. Make state reps & senators on par with the middle class like they were intended. Then they'll understand what we have to go through before they decide they want to pry open our wallets yet again.

Yea its all pie in the sky. None of this will ever happen because my state rep & senator aren't looking out for me. They're looking out for themselves.

But I'm OK with casinos. 4 or 40 - what difference does it make? Its just going to cost me more in the end anyway, like everything else Patrick does.