Massachusetts rarely lets me down. But this Tuesday, it did.
I'm a proud resident of the Bay State. We've led the way on many issues throughout this nation's history. We fought the first battle of the Revolutionary War, elected the first African-American U.S. senator since Reconstruction, legalized gay marriage, and mandated universal health care coverage. Massachusetts is a state of leaders, not followers, and we have a history of firm stands on controversial issues.
All this makes Tuesday's decision to legalize casino gambling all the more mind-boggling.
For such a liberal state, we're actually quite conservative on many issues. In the November 2006 elections, Massachusetts residents struck down a resolution that would have allowed liquor to be sold in convenience stores. Only three years ago, one could not buy liquor on Sundays in the Bay State. To this day, it is illegal for stores to be open on Thanksgiving, thanks to our "blue laws."
Granted, a lot of these are holdovers from our days as a Puritan "city on a hill." Some have been reformed, but some have stayed. They reflect a genuine concern for the moral character of the Commonwealth. I am proud of this tradition.
Governor Deval Patrick's invitation to the casino industry is a breach of public trust, and a poor decision for the Bay State. Our state lottery is pernicious enough, taking in more than $4 billion from Massachusetts residents every year. Lottery money is accrued directly by the state and reallocated to help Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns. I'm not too happy about the lottery's influence on society, but at least you know exactly where the money is going. Casino gambling has an entirely different dynamic and cash-flow structure.
Massachusetts residents have been pouring into Connecticut for years to gamble their money away at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. One of the major arguments for casino gambling in Massachusetts is that by not having our own casinos, the Commonwealth is essentially donating millions of dollars to Connecticut.
Bringing casinos to Massachusetts would bring in $600 million to $900 million upfront dollars, with 27 percent of gambling proceeds in taxes after that.
Gov. Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, who support this plan, are blinded by the money. The $600 million to $900 million up front is immediately reduced to $400 million once the costs of treating problem gamblers, increasing police presence, and establishing new bureaucracy are factored into the equation. Any proposal that necessitates between $200 million to $500 million for treatment of affected citizens and crime prevention needs to be seriously re-examined.
A culture of casino gambling will breed bankruptcy, both financial and moral. The residents of Middleborough, Palmer, Marlborough, Revere, and East Boston should not have to raise their children by telling them to avoid the big flashing lights down the street. Families should not be forced to watch as their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, or children lose their paychecks and dignity at the blackjack table. As I look out over the Boston skyline from my apartment window, I can't help but feel a twinge of shame.
Thankfully, the proposal is not yet law. It must pass through the state legislature, led by notoriously anti-casino Speaker Salvatore DiMasi. If you're a Massachusetts resident and you agree that casinos are bad for our state, I urge you to write your state senator as soon as you can.
To further this important debate on campus, the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life is focusing on gambling this semester. In addition to a film series and student debate, the Boisi Center will be holding a two-day conference in the Heights Room of Corcoran Commons on Oct. 25 and 26. There will be a series of lectures presented by prominent experts on gambling-related policy, social impact, and theological implications.
Boston College has weathered gambling scandals in the past, and we know how deleterious its influence can be. Bringing the casino industry into the Commonwealth can only mean problems, and a betrayal of our historically strong moral compass. Massachusetts residents must demand that this great Commonwealth stand up for the moral health of its citizens.
If we don't, the house always wins.
Joshua Darr is a Heights
staff columnist. He welcomes comments at jdarr@bcheights.com.
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