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An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.


"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil—he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

First People - The Legends. Cherokee Legend of Two Wolves. November 16, 2004. [accessed April 7, 2012].

Monday, January 23, 2012

Gambling & Politics: Anonymous Prince George's Comments


Tracing Technology and its Effects on Slot Machines

                       The ever-present Anonymous of Prince George's County left a comment on my blog from December 28, 2011, Anonymous support for gambling in Prince George's County Maryland. In my last blog, What do We Know about Gambling, Gaming, Casinos & Economic Development in Prince George's County, Maryland?, I asked for any links to detailed reports. 

                   Today, with special thanks to Delegate Levi (D-23A Pri. Geo's), I now am reading the 128 page report from 2004, The Economic and Social Impacts of Racetrack Video Lottery Terminals on the City of Baltimore and Prince George’s County.[1]

               I am intrigued by some of the detailed information in this report. For example, the report notes that the slots industry, when established  in Prince George's County, would create an impressive 3,866 jobs in the county. Then I read  the gaming or gambling industry's purported  wage of $12,491 per year. The report also notes that there would be significant short term construction jobs at a higher rate.[2]


               I also found in the 2004 report the curious presentation of educational statistics for Atlantic City casino workers to be a form of faint praise at best for bringing gambling to Prince George's County. For a county that should be an international leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation, only14.8% of the casino workers had 4 years of college or more. 


               Of course this means that the gaming industry will provide work for those of us without higher learning and that is a good thing for we too need jobs. However the wage statistics indicate an hourly median figure of $11.25, hardly a living wage, but better than nothing.[3] The question remains is this how high (or low) are we setting the bar of expectations and excellence that this county wants and deserves? Besides slots and malls, what else do we have in the pipeline?  

               Below is the Prince George's Anonymous comment without comment from me, at least today.

               Mr. Thompson writes again that he supports gambling but questions the mismanagement of the potential tax revenue generated and the supposed benefits derived from the increased county and state taxes. He then questions Prince Georgians decision making as if we are incapable as he wonders why if gambling were such a good idea how come Bethesda and Potomac are not clamoring for a gambling operation?

               These two areas have been bolstered by BRAC, the influx of government jobs, and technology. For some odd reason or another our US Representatives, Congressman Steny Hoyer and Congressman Chris Van Hollen who are two of the highest ranking Congressmen have not been able or choose not to move the above into Prince George's County to bolster our economy. We not only have the government not wanting to move into our County but there is also a lack of private businesses desiring to move into Prince George's County. Our residents need jobs. We must either somehow figure out how to capitalize off the businesses who are willing to move here and incentivize others to move here or we must learn to use our voting power and elect those into office who will look out after Prince Georgians and ensure we ge the types of jobs and businesses we deserve in our county. 




[1] Optimal Solutions Group. The Economic and Social Impacts of Racetrack Video Lottery Terminals on the City of Baltimore and Prince George’s County. Commissioned By: The Presidents’ RoundTable, Inc. & Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, Inc. February 2004. [accessed January 22, 2012] http://www.responsiblegambling.org/articles/economic_and_social_impacts_racetrack_vlt_baltimore.pdf
[2] ibid. page 34
[3] Occupational Employment Statistics. National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates NAICS 713200 - Gambling Industries. May 2010. [accessed January 22, 2012] http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_713200.htm

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