Discussion of California Ballot Initiatives

[innerSpaceman]

Regardless, it's a move by four rich tribes - filthy rich i might add - to get richer by adding 17,000 more slots to their casinos. As it stands now, the wealth is divided among 2,100 people ... who get 30,000 a month! Yes, that's per month. And the vast beneficence of Indian Gaming revenue goes to a mere 2,100 people who control more than a third of the state's indian gaming industry (and representing a mere 4 of the state's 108 federally recognized tribes).

The bit about more gaming revenue providing more money to the state is a canard. The more California residents gamble away on gaming spending, the less they spend on goods and services that are taxed at an even higher rate. If 94 -97 pass, the money will simply be shifted from higher taxed spending to lower taxed spending. And the 2100 filthy rich indians will get filthier.

By the way, gaming has become an $8 billion industry in California, soon to overtake the trucking industry, dairy industry and perhaps even the Hollywood film industry as the leading industry in the state.


The two sides on this issue have spent more than $100 million dollars, making it the costliest initiative fight in California history ... maybe in history, period.

Says Cal State San Bernadino economics professor Eric Nilson, "When someone goes to a casino and loses $500, that's money not spent at a local restaurant, at the video store or at a local mall - all businesses that pay state taxes. The casino pays no state or local taxes on that money. This is just shifting money around."



innerSpaceman says VOTE NO ON PROPOSITIONS 94, 95, 96 & 97.

[3894]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

And the 2100 filthy rich indians will get filthier.

Quite right. Tom and I are writing a book about who gets to share in that wealth, i.e. who is in the tribe and who ain't. Look for it in about a year.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

And the 2100 filthy rich indians will get filthier.

By the way, gaming has become an $8 billion industry in California, soon to overtake the trucking industry, dairy industry and perhaps even the Hollywood film industry as the leading industry in the state.

So?

When I lose $500 in Vegas that is money that doesn't get spent in California restaurants either. And to me, this is essentially the same thing as us having a vote on what Nevada is allowed to do.

You disagree that the tribes are deserving of any distinctive rights but I don't and also don't consider it my role to determine what is fair among them. Besides, unless the reservations have developed complex service and industrial infrastructures I've not heard about, that $30,000 month earned is ultimately spent back in California so you can tax it then.

So Alex says vote yes on props 94, 95, 96, and 97 because it is none of our damn business.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Alex

So?

Damnit Alex: you stole my opener.

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Regardless, it's a move by four rich tribes - filthy rich I might add - to get richer by adding 17,000 more slots to their casinos.

To quote Alex: So?

Since when is making money a problem? I've never understood that argument. Revenue is being generated, people are employed; where is the harm in that?

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

The two sides on this issue have spent more than $100 million dollars, making it the costliest initiative fight in California history ... maybe in history, period.

That is great news! That means that they have injected $100 million dollars into primarily the California economy and for certain the US economy. We should be thanking them for the near-term economic stimulus at a time when it is badly needed.

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Says Cal State San Bernardino economics professor Eric Nilson, "When someone goes to a casino and loses $500, that's money not spent at a local restaurant, at the video store or at a local mall - all businesses that pay state taxes. The casino pays no state or local taxes on that money. This is just shifting money around."

And what does someone do when they WIN $500? They typically spend it on items that are taxed, thus creating income for the state and local economies. While I concur that there is more money lost at the casinos (be they local or Nevada), the differential is minimal (in the sense that it is not a 10:1 ratio of money lost to money won).

I have yet to hear a solid argument against the propositions that would sway me to vote no on them.