Many of us living within US boundaries, are as indignant as the balance of the planet! Imagine the conversations (in numerous tongues, dialects and accents), concerning such an obvious affront to personal freedoms. Our form of government must appear on the brink of extinction, resorting to regulatory manifestos for the social good. Haunting, isn’t it?
Curious, too, that gambling, prostitution, and drugs have created such divides between the self-proclaimed good and inferred evil. It is comforting, though, that some things do not change.
Having grown up under the Orwellian giant, millions of Boomers have flexed their mid-life consumer muscle to accumulate the stuff of dreams. We’ve had one eye fixed & focused on the pleasures of the purse, and the other eye blurred by all else. Individually, we’ve been navigating the Malls, while Big Brother’s been walking the Halls of Congress. Favor for favor and Buck for Buck, he has aligned our representation against us.
Of course, this didn’t occur quickly with any obvious display of chest-pounding or conspiracy. That would have signaled cause for alarm. Instead, this misalignment of duty and priority, has quietly infected our leadership with it’s own folly. Slowly but surely, the Old come to grips and the New are indoctrinated. (Muscle-flexing as a matter of course.)
Gambling law disputes between governmental Davids and Goliaths, are only symptoms. The actual disease afflicting our government, is a Congress addicted to raising and spending taxes, ignoring the consequences and the crumbling foundations of our young democracy. This course of misguided action is akin to steadily blowing up a beautiful balloon. At any moment, what was a sight to behold is no more.
My perception of the process follows:
Make promises to get votes
Propose taxes to fund promises
Author legislation to create the tax
Make more promises to pass the legislation
Propose regulations to make good on pork promises
Squeeze the citizenry to pass regulations
Invoke force to quiet the citizenry
… next mistake
… last mistake
Everyday, the consumer-citizenry is called upon to pay more and receive less. All the while, a desperate Government regulates and legislates, for the sole purpose of satisfying its habit. No longer attempting to control the beast, Congress seems content to simply beat the drum for control, regulation and taxation.
With renewed fervor, our esteemed officials try to legislate morality and choice. Holier-than-thou do-gooders (assured they know what’s best for the rest), provide ammunition for a Congress seemingly intent on protecting us from ourselves. When the smoke clears, our lawmakers will have spent another fortune trying to control the uncontrollable.
Gambling is but a pawn in a power game. Flying in the face of worldwide opinion and acceptance, our Congress is living in the proverbial glass house … and throwing large stones.
Only a “government-without-a-memory” would pursue prohibitions on personal choice, as though they were good at it.
rnCarl Bailey is an author by default. Having followed this story since it’s beginning, he has chosen to speak-out occassionally, as opposed to simply exploding at his desk. Your indulgence is appreciated. Along with a handful of like-minded self-proclaimed Casino Gaming Nuts.. big77 slot