I think that most people who see petitions really haven’t a clue about the truth of the matter… whether they sign it, ask about it or pass it by.

Besides, telling people about schools pulls at the heart-strings, whereas telling people they’ll be able to bet more and with less difficulties, well, that has the possibility of upsetting some and maybe even making some gamblers wary - limits can be a good thing for addicts, and many addicts know it.

Signing a petition requires one to make a snap decision on something that they may or may not have already come to a conclusion about. Furthermore, asking the petitioner and/or reading the petition may not give the potential signer a good and proper understanding of what is being asked. This could especially be the case as many people are going to fell rushed, as they have somewhere to go and others might be stopping - and petitioners want as many people to sign as possible.

I experienced this when the stem-cell bill was going to be on the ballot a couple of years ago. I was stopped by a petitioner. I felt rushed, didn’t feel I had a complete grasp of what the petition’s position was and even felt like the petitioner might have been playing word games.

But hey, if people are willing to waste their money and spend their money on “entertainment” and the dream of getting rich, give them the needle. Just what this struggling economy needs; more dumb people with even less money to take care of their needs, requiring more government assistance.

And if people really think that Missouri’s educational system has benefited from casino taxation, it goes to show how uninformed the populous is… but as I said, tugging at the heart-strings, works every time.

Things like this just confirm my suspicion that a great plurality, if not a majority, of voters are idiots. The casinos will get the signatures, and then we’ll be treated to a season of advertisements about how “we have to do this for the children.” Well if you ask me, we spend enough money on the children. If the casinos want my signature, circulate a petition offering to provide free beer, subsidized by the casino tax. Throw in a few good cigars - perhaps Cubans, since Fidel has stepped down - and I’ll guarantee you my vote.

PS to the casino companies - I want Schlafly or Trailhead, not Budweiser. Thanks.

Gosh, Nick. You are looking your proverbial gift horse (not a Clydesdale, however) in the mouth there.

However, I can agree with your sentiment. Whenever I have been at the casinos it is mostly populated by the over 65 crowd. Hardly the big supporters of bond issues when the school board puts them through. Thus, they may not be successful pulling on the “for the kids” heart strings.

How about this?

Increase loss limits, but ban smoking and drinking from the establishment. Or at least only in designated, non-gaming areas. This will allow some gamblers to step away from the action for a minutes, possibly time to clear their head before losing the shirt off their back.

I heard an interesting rumor that part of the reason Jeff Smith is fighting his casinos arrest is b/c he is going to try to do away with the loss limits. The idea is if he drags his feet until the law is changed, then he can escape responsibility for his violation. The casinos are funneling him lots of money so it makes sense. Anyone else heard it?

I don’t think “ex post facto” works in reverse, which is what this theory would require. Any lawyers on here want to confirm that?

the gambler,

Casinos are NOT funneling money to Jeff Smith. Look at any number of websites that track campaign contributions. But FACTS clearly aren’t important to you or would have already taken the two minutes to check out your ridiculous assertion.

Wait a minute …. I have never seen Michelle Obama and Jeff Smith in the same room. Maybe they are the same person.

Couldn’t resist

In Missouri, What do Gambling and Stem Cells have in common?

Besides millions of dollars to promote their cause, how about the exact same team of lobbyists in Jefferson City and political consultants from California. Yes, the same team that wasted over 30 million dollars, running what every political insider says was the worst run Missouri campaign ever in support of Amendment 2 in 2006. Yes, they have now been hired by the gaming industry to gather petition signatures and remove previously voter approved loss limits at Missouri gaming boats. After failing for years ( and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on lobbyists) to get the legislature to do it, Pinnacle Gaming and Ameristar Casinos are taking it to the streets to convince Missouri voters to change the current law which limits gamblers to lose no more than 500 dollars every two hours. Since both industries, the embryonic stem cell research industry and the Las Vegas gaming industry, use the same Jefferson City lobbyists, its really no surprise that they are now using the same team of consultants to spend their millions convincing voters that gaming is good, just like cloning is good. Lead by consultants, who previously were best known for losing the campaigns to raise tobacco taxes so that Missouri would have more money to fund healthcare, they have hired Winner Mandlebaum out of California. The same brilliant team that took an issue with an almost 70% approval rating among Missouri voters when they took over and then barely squeaked out a victory. Of course they had by some estimates $37 million to play with vs les than $1 million from the opponents so it’s no wonder the outcome was so close.

Matbe they thought Missouri was like California. We do have three major cities like San Francisco, LA and San Diego what with St. Louis, KC and Springfield. Plus we have a major body of water the Lake of the Ozarks similar to their Pacific Ocean, the Ozark Mountains are similar to their Sierra Nevada and both have thriving wine industries.

Michelle Obama:

It isn’t that hard to find but you seem challenged so look here:
://www.mec.mo.gov/CampaignFinanceReports/CFFilerPDFs/FullReport/FullReport.aspx?CDRCP_id=18398&MyYear=2006
You will see that both Harrahs and Isle of Capri maxed out to him. You will also see Edison Schools continuing to funnel to Smith. Their lobbyist, McIntosh, is also lavishing spending on Smith including a $250 dinner
You probably got lost in all the donations that Rex Sinqfield funneled to Jeff “I am for strict campaign limits except for me” Smith. For those of you watching at home, Rex has sent over $10,000 Jeffie’s way. Personally, I have no problem with Rex’s action; I just think it shows what a complete hypocrite Smith is. Smith is also at the teat of big pharma, the insurance industry, and big business generally. I know you kids think he is sticking it the the Man but he is just doing the Man’s bidding.

We sure do have some simple minded people out here in Missouri. How the hell are you going to put a loss limit on gambling. Do people realize how much tax revenue would come to Missouri if we lifted this stupid thing. I’m tired of conservatives in outstate trying to tell me how to live. If you dont want to gamble DON’T GAMBLE! Since when is it my responsibility to take care of adults. I will be for this!!!! Because I would rather have gambling than them raising my taxes. St. Louis would put Biloxi out of business if we got more riverboats, but most people in Missouri are too conservative and thick headed to realize this. Gambling = Tourism = Tax Revenue = Less Money Out of My Pocket……..Plus I’m all for education!!!