Ohio approves crime and disaster at the polls

They've really got the Obama Flu. He has so dispirited Americans that they seem to think things will never, never get better, so let's bring out of state gambling interests and plump the state coffers with something besides federal pork. Sad story at Columbus Dispatch

Only the people voting NO made any sense at all in their choices:

"Many voters who cast "yes" ballots noted that thousands of Ohioans gamble in other states without benefiting their home state. The casinos would jump-start economic development in the state's largest cities and retain tax money in Ohio, they said.

"I don't go to casinos, but lots of people go elsewhere to gamble, so they might as well keep the money here," said Regina Lee, 35, of Westerville. "We need the tax dollars and the jobs."

Some who voted against Issue 3 cited the potential for crime and other social problems as well as exaggerated promises of jobs from casino proponents.

John Goettler, 45, an Upper Arlington consultant for nonprofit organizations, said he is opposed to expanded gambling in Ohio. He is worried the casinos could bring more crime and other problems and thinks the pro-casino television ads promising thousands of jobs contained "blatant lies."

"As bad as the economy is ... legalizing casino gambling is not the answer," he said.

Ohio voters had rejected gambling issues four times before, including twice in the past three years. Last year, nearly 63 percent of voters rejected a proposal for a casino in Clinton County."

The casino owners and union bosses got out the vote in our already crime ridden, struggling major cities.

"The measure benefited from a strong appeal by unions and urban politicians to get voters in the four casino cities - Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo - to the polls. The measure carried by large majorities in the Cleveland and Cincinnati areas, won with a smaller majority in Toledo, and lost in Franklin County."

Our neighbor Detroit has 70,000 abandoned buildings. Doesn't it have casinos bring in billions? One of the pushers set to benefit (besides our former Methodist pastor governor) is Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and owner-to-be of two of the casinos. And they said Rush Limbaugh was unfit to own an NFL team?