Category — casinos

The casino debacle keeps getting worse for Governor Deval Patrick. The governor wasn’t even in the state let alone on Beacon Hill as the centerpiece of his economic development plan was being debated and voted on. With no visible leadership from the governor, Speaker DiMasi easily defeated the proposal.

What is interesting, and I’d argue becoming a pattern for this governor, was the reason for his absence—personal gain. The governor was in New York negotiating a book deal instead of leading his own key initiative. But that’s not surprising when you consider that in the months preceding the vote, he campaigned for Barack Obama and an eventual cabinet post for himself a lot more than he campaigned on Beacon Hill for his casino bill.

The governor’s failure, his campaign promises are nowhere near reality, was certainly predictable. Patrick is a dreamer. He all but screamed it with talk of “change” and campaign slogans like “Yes, we can”. Dreamers paint towering visions in the mind, but rarely put brush strokes on canvas.

And speaking of dreamers, the Patrick experience in Massachusetts is what fellow dreamer Barack Obama will deliver on the national level too. Dreamers don’t roll up their sleeves and get things done, which explains why Obama’s resume is devoid of actual accomplishments outside of being elected.

A year is a lifetime in political terms.  For example, a little over a year ago, Democrats were explaining why having a Democrat in the corner office was a must.  Our woes would vanish once a Democratic governor could collaborate with the legislature.  But in a rare honest moment, might Beacon Hill admit to wishing Kerry Healey had won the election:

“It seems like we have a proposal where no tough questions were even asked — let alone answered,” DiMasi said. “The Governor clearly has the burden of convincing the Legislature that this casino plan should be adopted. So far, the case has not been made, the evidence isn’t there and the Governor’s arguments for casinos are clearly losing credibility.” 

I’m with DiMasi on casinos.  Their economic benefit is overblown when you compare the revenue to expected infrastructure and service outlays.  Now, if the state wasn’t subsidizing their construction, I’d have no problem supporting them.  If adults want to gamble, so be it.  Just don’t use my tax dollars to fund these private enterprises.