Most of the arguments for and against seem to be mostly concerned with the accuracy, or lack thereof, of the competing commercials on TV or in print. Frankly I don't really care. Of course, there are many who do believe that the casinos will mean jobs, immediate and definitely needed in the communities where the casinos will most likely be built. And then there are the longer term service jobs at the casinos for card dealers, janitorial staff, etc. So, sure, some folks, including lower wage folks perhaps suffering the most, will benefit.
However, who is going to be going to these casinos? Who are the people that will be frequent the slots and tables? Somehow, probably not the folks who live in my neighborhood. Probably those people I mentioned above who are suffering in this economic downturn are the most likely to part with their money in the casinos. Probably those most in need of some other options in terms of better, more stable, more productive jobs.
And what about the short and long term effects of casinos on the cities that host them? Some of my friends pointed out that the impression they have is that cities with casinos seem to turn to them as a last ditch effort of development. What I would really like to know is if anyone has done in-depth studies of the long term effects of casinos on cities and their surrounding communities like the ones proposed.
I guess what I want to believe is that Cleveland, the city I love, will not stoop to this level. It will remain a great city, it will be reborn, it will find effective leaders that are smart and understand the steps necessary to bring a civic renaissance. And, if the voters are smart and understand this, I will never have to see the alternative.
