Former Ohio GOP Chairman now gambling pimp

Pretty sad. Getting paid to go 100% against your party's values. I have no confidence in the GOP to speak for me when it comes to gambling.

Cleveland.com story here.


This is one reason to oppose expanded gambling in Ohio. The buying of politicians (regardless of party) and organized crime.

Gambling does not create "new" money. It just recycles it from the gambler's pockets to the casino operator's......along with state government and corrupt politicians.

Another reason is that anytime you can keep money away from government, no matter where it comes from, it is a good thing.

I always thought there was something about Bennett that was sleazy....

Voinovich right on gambling

And I do believe he would raise taxes rather than agree to more gambling. Even though, that is not the right answer either. Just cut spending! It's amazing how afraid our governors are of a mob of middle aged librarians when it comes to budget cuts.

Voinovich speaks out against gambling plans

Sunday, September 6, 2009 7:20 AM

Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, ripped both proposals to expand gambling in Ohio last week as an "attack on families." Voinovich made his comments as the Ohio Roundtable, a conservative policy group, announced a lawsuit to block Gov. Ted Strickland's plans for video slot machines at horse tracks.

Voinovich said at the event that the slots plan and a November ballot issue to permit full-blown casinos in Ohio's four largest cities would suck money out of the pockets of vulnerable people.

Voinovich said the fourcasino plan is the handiwork of "greedy vultures" from other states. The Republican former governor was not as harsh toward Strickland, a Democrat, but sounded personally betrayed as he recalled how Strickland stood with Voinovich and other gambling opponents against a slotmachine proposal in 2006.

"Based on his past comments, he knows that this is not in the best interest of Ohio's families," Voinovich said.
Strickland says that the state needs the $933 million in expected revenue from the video lottery terminals at the racetracks to head off massive cuts to education and social services.

Voinovich recalled that he faced similar budget problems, albeit less severe, when he took office in 1991. He noted that he cut the state budget four times and raised taxes, and would do so again in Strickland's position.

"I would have raised taxes," he said.

Ohio credit rating could drop again

Dispatch story

The short sightedness of the Strickland administration is staggering.

Now we will pay more to service our debt. Yes, the debt that politicians are addicted to with your tax money.

"The lower a state's credit rating, the more expensive it becomes to borrow money to finance a variety of infrastructure projects."

"Moody's analysts noted that Ohio has a strong history of reducing spending to respond to economic challenges but said the state is increasingly using one-time cash solutions to fill continuing budget obligations."

Which makes one wonder what happens the next time we have to deal with the budget again. Will there be massive spending cuts or massive tax increases (driving more people to Florida and Texas).

My guess is, if the dems are in control, there will be massive tax increases. We all saw how frightened Strickland became when little old librarians got mad at him. He will continue to try to make Ohio into Las Vegas.

If the GOP is running the state government, who knows? If it's the old low tax, low spending GOP we'll be in good shape. If it's Bob Taft's GOP.....well I'm not going there, it's too nice of a day to get mad.

17,500 slot machines coming to Ohio, thanks to our "anti-gambling" Governor

Two editorials detailing the gambling vice being forced on Ohio without a vote.

Dayton Daily News

Ohio.com

Once this is done, it's only the beginning.

More proof that Strickland is gambling with Ohio's budget

BUDGET FIX? Gambling payoff could be delayed

This is a budget set up to fail. More budget cuts will happen. Gambling is never a fix, pretty soon we'll be using tax money for gambling addiction programs.

Gambling is a vice and Ted Strickland does not deserve to be our Governor. He was voted into office with him stating over and over that he was against gambling. This guy has no real core values. He says one thing and does another.

From Pennsylvania's experience, it will take much longer than Strickland states to get slot machines up and running....and dumping their ill-gotten gains into the state's coffers.

"Just as anti-gambling groups held up Rendell's proposal by suing, the conservative Ohio Roundtable is vowing to go to court to block Strickland's plan.

The group believes slot machines fall outside the scope of the constitutional amendment authorizing the state lottery 36 years ago.

"We feel (Strickland) is going outside his realm of authority," said Rob Walgate, Roundtable vice president. "We don't think the voters in 1973 voted to authorize slot machines at racetracks." "

Walgate is correct. Who really believes that the voters that authorized the lottery were actually authorizing converting horse racing facilities into casinos? That logic is a huge, unsupported leap!

What's next when this budget does not cover all that it promises? Where's the contingency plan when this budget falls short?

The next time libraries post signs in their windows protesting budget cuts; is Ted Strickland going to legalize prostitution under the authority of the lottery?

Ted Strickland rolling the dice with Ohio's budget

Here's a video from the Athens Runaway blog.




Going to a parade on the July 4th weekend after telling our General Assembly folks that they shouldn't is small potatoes in the hypocrisy department, compared to his past stated opposition to gambling, yet now he, with his own signature, will endorse gambling by expanding it in Ohio.

What's really disappointing with Ted Strickland is his embrace of the vice of gambling. He's now forced it on us without a vote of the citizens. Maybe he did that because we've always said NO.

So, he doesn't care what the voters think....for that matter, he doesn't care what he thinks. He was against gambling clear up until the first part of June. Yes, 2009!

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that we need a new Governor.

Senate Republicans need to stick to their (and the voters) principles

Make Strickland (you know, the Governor candidate that was against gambling) go it alone. He wants more gambling? Let him do it. The Senate should not endorse more gambling as it has been turned down by the voters time and time again.

We are finally seeing some differences between the two parties in Columbus, and I, for one, like it.

"COLUMBUS — If Gov. Ted Strickland wants slot machines at Ohio's seven horse racetracks, he should use his authority to make it happen, just as he did when he brought Keno to the state, Republican lawmakers say.

Ohio Senate President Bill Harris, an Ashland Republican, told reporters Wednesday that his GOP caucus, which controls the Senate, has a "point of concern" with adding the Democratic governor's proposal to install slots at racetracks to the operating budget for 2010-11.

Harris said Republican senators probably would vote to put the slots-at-racetracks issue before voters but aren't willing to make it part of the budget."

Rest of story here.

Cleveland Plain Dealer story on Stickland's conversion on gambling

Plain Dealer column here.

"I don't know whether the governor uses numbers books as he sets about running the state. But his approach to governing seems as ragged and helter-skelter as a degenerate lottery player clutching a dream book."

I do disagree with one comment Phillip Morris says: "When he reversed his principled -- but wrong -- stance on casinos in mid-June and announced that he has suddenly become a proponent and wants to place slot machines at Ohio's seven major race tracks, it became clear that our governor is an impulsive problem gambler."

Ted Strickland was not wrong to oppose gambling in the past. His problem is he didn't keep his word. He said he was against gambling, up to earlier this month, for crying out loud. Now he's all for it. It's unbelievable the changes in a supposed principled leader when faced when cutting spending.

Flip Flop Ted

He's against gambling, then he'd consider it, then he's against it (just 4 days ago) now he's going to increase it (without a vote) in Ohio by saying it's in his discretion to do so by calling it an expansion of the Lottery.

He must be under immense pressure from his union / liberal interest groups to not cut further spending that he'd do something that he knows is not healthy for a society. Increase gambling.

Ted apparently has strong convictions that he chooses not to follow. We need a leader that not only has strong convictions, but follows them.

"The proposal, officially an expansion of the Ohio Lottery, would not need a vote of the people, Strickland said.

The governor had said repeatedly that he opposed expanded gambling as a budget solution and didn't trust the revenue projections of gambling supporters. He also has noted that state voters have rejected gambling ballot issues four times since 1990, most recently in November.

"I think the people of our state have spoken on this issue clearly, multiple times, and until the people change their mind about the issue, then I am supporting what I believe to be the will of the people of Ohio," the governor told The Dispatch last month.

The governor said he wants to bypass a statewide vote because the state needs the revenue quickly."

Clearly Ohio needs a new Governor. Not a Bob Taft Republican, but a leader with convictions (yes, it's a pun). Ted needs to propose more spending cuts and forget more gambling, which will cost us more in the long run. He needs to tell his supporters NO. I don't think he can do it. One wonders if he's worried more about campaign contributions than he is for the cancer of gambling.

He's trying to lay a rotten egg in the Senate's lap by making them be (again) the adults and doing the hard work that needs to be done. That is, cutting additional spending.

A message to Bill Harris, you need to consider the will of the voters, who have time and time again voted down gambling schemes. Here is the Ohio GOP's chance to show a clear distinction between the two parties. The winning strategy would be to cut the necessary spending and leave the democrats on the record of supporting expanding gambling which the vast majority of Ohio's voters do not want.

Previous posts on gambling here, here, here, here and here.

What Governor Strickland has said about gambling in Ohio in the not so distant past.

Press release from the Ohio GOP:

Strickland Defies 'Will of the People'

"The people of Ohio have spoken with a clear voice on this issue time and time again. They do not want an expansion of gambling in their state."
- Ted Strickland, 10/25/07

(Columbus) - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine accused Gov. Ted Strickland today of using the gambling issue as a political crutch to avoid making deeper cuts to Ohio's budget.

"This is another pathetic display of weak leadership by Gov. Strickland," said Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine. "The governor has already said gambling isn't the solution to Ohio's economic problems, and the lottery expansions he's already proposed have fallen dramatically short of projections. This so-called budget fix rings about as hollow as the elaborate economic development stunt he pulled in Piketon."

Strickland has called gambling "an insidious condition that can ruin lives" and a "false solution to Ohio's economic-development needs." Asked last month whether he would support an expansion of gambling as a solution to Ohio's budget crisis, Strickland said:

"I would tell (supporters) what I have told them several times in the past, that my position remains unchanged, and that I do not believe that this is the right way for Ohio to deal with our budget or to try to fund education," the governor said yesterday. "I think the people of our state have spoken on this issue clearly, multiple times, and until the people change their mind about the issue, then I am supporting what I believe to be the will of the people of Ohio." (The Columbus Dispatch, 6/19/09)

In March, Strickland told The Plain Dealer:

"I don't think it would be accurate to sell this as an answer to Ohio's economic challenges. ... I really don't envision anything that is likely to change my mind."

In October of 2007, Strickland expressed his opposition to gambling when he signed legislation banning casino-style "amusement" machines:

"The people of Ohio have spoken with a clear voice on this issue time and time again," Strickland said. "They do not want an expansion of gambling in their state." (Office of the Governor, 10/25/07)

Despite his public opposition to an expansion of gambling in Ohio, Strickland had no problem taking contributions from the industry's major players, although he publicly assured voters that those contributors "are likely to be terribly disappointed."

According to campaign-finance reports, Strickland has received more than $50,000 from individuals and companies associated with gambling, including MTR Gaming Group Inc., which owns Scioto Downs, a harness-racing track near Columbus. Strickland also held two campaign fund- raisers at West Virginia racetracks. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/13/06)

Strickland acknowledged that he has gotten money at two fundraisers at West Virginia racetracks that operate electronic slots and has taken campaign contributions from gambling interests. But he said he has "received financial support and resources from a lot of people who, if they're giving me those resources because they expect a certain public policy out of me, are likely to be terribly disappointed." (Columbus Dispatch, 4/13/06)

Strickland on Gambling . . .

• Democratic Congressman Ted Strickland, a psychologist, warns of the social costs that accompany gambling addiction, which he called "an insidious condition that can ruin lives." (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/24/06)

• Although the proposal includes money to treat gambling addictions, Strickland said its inclusion "points to my biggest concern as a psychologist: This is a difficult addiction to treat." (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/24/06)

• "Quite frankly, if I'd been in the legislature when the Ohio lottery passed, I would have opposed it," [Strickland] said. "It amounts to a regressive tax. The benefits of casino gambling in my judgment are significantly outweighed by the negative consequences." (Toledo Blade, 4/10/06)

Strickland, the Democratic frontrunner, told The Plain Dealer's editorial board earlier this week that he is not supportive of expanding legalized gambling in the state. While he didn't bring up religion, his denomination's Social Principles, which are its guideposts of faith, are clear. They denounce gambling as "a menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic, and spiritual life, and destructive of good government." (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/25/06)

"I don't think an answer to Ohio's economic future is expanded gambling," [Strickland] said." (Columbus Dispatch, 4/13/06)

Strickland said he always has regarded gambling as a false solution to Ohio's economic-development needs. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/13/06)

Strickland ... opposes expanded state-sponsored gambling in Ohio as well as three proposed ballot issues this fall to allow casinos or slot machines at racetracks. Strickland, a six-term congressman from Lisbon and a Methodist minister, said his opposition isn't based on moral issues but on a belief that gambling isn't good for the state. (Columbus Dispatch, 4/13/06)

What can I do? Get involved now!

I was approached by a friend on the street about 7 days before the last election. He asked me "what can I do?" I asked him what he was talking about. He said "for the election, of course". I told him the election was already over as it started a year ago.

Conservatives that don't like how our state / country is headed need to get involved now, not 7 days before an election.

Why be involved so early, you ask? Well,

• as you saw from the previous post, the gambling pimps are not waiting until 7 days before an election to start their campaign to legalize more gambling in Ohio.
• ACORN (Jennifer Brunner and Obama's enablers) have not stopped campaigning, as they are heavily involved in conducting our census. Yes you heard that right.

Here's the conservative's conundrum. We want to vote and be left alone until the next election. We are happily oblivious to the shenanigans that the left is subverting our state to. We go to the polls and are surprised at some of the issues on the ballot.

We go to work everyday and spend time taking care of our families and neighbors, we trust our Representatives to do the right thing and don't have time to pester them about issues.

The leftist is completely opposite. They don't have jobs. If they do have so called jobs, they are in government. Their life's work is to lobby government for more government. This means more job security for them. All the while sucking your money and freedom away from you to support their Marxist form of government they are slowly and patiently trying to install. (see Obama and the bank bailouts)

Did you know the next election is less than a month away? It's May 5th. Do you know what's on the ballot? Don't trust the "news" papers to tell you. You can call your local board of elections and get a list of offices, candidates and issues so you'll be prepared before you vote.

Here you can find info on the proposed issues in Pomeroy: a new income tax and a Proposed Gas Aggregation.
Here you can read about Warren School District's proposed tax levy

I know this is a ramble, but we need to get involved now. I'll give you some ideas where / how to get involved in...in the next post on this subject.

previous post on "what can I do? Vote!"

Ballot Board OKs Ohio casinos petition

Dispatch story

"The Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan would place one casino each in the down towns of Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo."

Don't you love these titles?

Economic Recovery Act = Deficit Creation Act

Social Security = Social Insecurity

Evidence Based Education = No Evidence of where the plan originated from

Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan = Casino Gambling in Ohio or the Transfer of dollars from poor to rich plan

We do not need additional gambling in Ohio. Yes, it's completely hypocritical for the state of Ohio to be against gambling when we run a lottery...another dumb idea....

Even so, that's no reason to support more of this vice. Remember when gambling was called a Vice?

"Proponents say the casinos would generate $1.8 billion in annual revenue". Where do you think this "revenue" will come from? It comes from your pocket book when you gamble. If you really want to give your money away, give it to your local Church or School. Give it to your neighbor. It would be more rewarding in the end.

Casinos are in business to make money. The house doesn't lose in the end.

Here are some links to various state gambling addiction websites. Oh, I forgot, gambling is a "victimless" crime....well, it used to be a crime.

California
Washington state
Minnesota
National Council on Problem Gambling
Oregon

I could go on and on, you get the picture. If gambling is such a god-send, why do we need to fund special programs to combat compulsive gambling and the vices that go with it?

Another casino group is offering up a bad bet for Ohio's voters

I don't always agree with everything Thomas Suddes has to say, he defiantly nails it with this column.

No matter how you cut it, or roll the dice, gambling is a bad idea for Ohio.

I just wish our Governor would make up his mind. First he's 100% against it, then he's for it, sort of. Now he's against it again.

Mountineer Racetrack cut 266 jobs

Mr. Strickaland wants to pin Ohio's future on this business? Detailed in previous post. They have their good years and bad years. It just so happens, their bad years line up with a bad economy.

It's not like Ohio would keep a bank account with all the state proceeds from gambling to be used during the next economic downturn. No, everyone will have their hands in the slop bucket and it will be empty all the time. Can you imagine the OEA seeing a huge pile of money just laying in the bank collecting interest without trying to get their cut?

Mountaineer Racetrack Cuts Another 175 Jobs
Friday, January 16, 2009 – updated: 7:39 pm EST January 17, 2009
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort officials said Friday they have reduced the facility's work force by 8.6 percent. Officials said 175 jobs have been cut.

And again in Nobember

Mountaineer Cuts 91 Jobs

You can't count on gambling to save our economy. What we need is lower taxes and spending.

Governor Strickland is a Democrat who has recently changed his mind on allowing more gambling in Ohio. He now is ok with "exploring the option".

Community Initiative

We were joking in a previous post that Governor Strickland should promote prostitution, since he's now promoting gambling....which is counter to his previous statements against the vice of gambling.

Well, it looks like one of Strickland's aides beat him to our idea. "Robert Eric McFadden, the director of Strickland's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives until the fall of 2007, was arrested in Dublin this morning. McFadden, 46, lives at 6290 Hyland Drive in Dublin but was not arrested at home. McFadden is charged with seven prostitution-related counts. Among the accusations made by Columbus police: that he promoted prostitution by using online discussions to sing the praises of a prostitute who is 17 years old." "

One wonders what Faith this guy belongs to. I guess one could call this a "Community Initiative".

Strickland is a democrat. I have to tell you since the media generally only mentions a party if it's a Republican involved in something like this. I'm sure this is always just an oversight, because we know the media is not biased.

Gambling Pimps

If at first you don't succeed, enlist a Governor and a Speaker.............

How many times do the voters have to say we don't want gambling in Ohio. Except the lottery, of course. Just a little hypocrisy, but voters have that right.

Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish
"As the beleaguered state looks for money, new House Speaker Armond Budish is willing to consider casino gambling"

Why not legalize marijuana while we're at it? We need the money, we could tax it!!!

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland
"But for Strickland, desperate times call for desperate measures. "I think it is impossible to know how deep this recession is going to be or how long it is going to last," Strickland, a Democrat, said in an interview on Thursday. "I am therefore willing to keep an open mind and listen to whatever argument that may be brought to me regarding gambling.""

So if things get bad enough, we'll legalize anything? Why not prostitution, Ted? The AFSCME union could use the new legal members and their dues could be funnelled back to you via campaign contributions.
Come on Governor, you've always been against gambling. Do your core values change this easy?

You'll notice that both of these men have already met with gambling "officials" I wonder how much campaign money they were promised?

State Representative Jennifer Garrison gets it:
"Garrison said she would be opposed to any expanded gaming in Ohio."I do not support it, and I think voters in Ohio have spoken several times now about how they feel about it," Garrison said. "There are a lot of negative impacts on communities where there is gambling."

I've got an idea if we think our tax money is shrinking: CUT SPENDING. THEN IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, CUT SPENDING, THEN IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, CUT SPENDING!

We don't need a gambling ponzi scheme that is proven to harm society.