Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2003
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2003 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221
Author: Bruce Bartelli

GAMBLING NO ANSWER

Our governor-elect has proposed as part of her economic plan to expand 
legalized gambling (12/31, A-1, "Sebelius favors slot machines at tracks"). 
Residents of Kansas, beware. If this is the best she has to offer, we are 
in for a long and torturous four years.

Since Sebelius wholeheartedly supports unleashing upon the citizens of 
Kansas an addictive behavior, here are a few other suggestions to go with 
her mentality of economic enhancements.

1) Have state licensed "bookies" set up at all statewide university 
football and basketball games.

2) Legalize prostitution.

3) Put heavy taxes on Kansas abortion mills.

4) Give immunity to drug dealers on high school and college campuses, with 
schools getting a 25 percent take.

5) Let the Kansas Bureau of Investigation regulate distribution of 
legalized drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine. They're addictive? When the 
state needs money, what does it matter?

The unfortunate thing is many would support these ideas.

The Kansas Legislature has wisely kept the regressive taxation and 
addiction of gambling out of our state. Apparently Sebelius is willing to 
sacrifice some percentage of our population as "collateral damage" to 
gambling addiction.

Bruce Bartelli

Southeast Kansas Coalition Against Legalized Gambling

Frontenac, Kan.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart