The owners of Shorter's VictoryLand, Milton McGregor, and Dothan's Country Crossing, Ronnie Gilley, as well as four state senators, three lobbyists and two employees were arrested Monday in an alleged vote-buying attempt in April's electronic bingo vote.
The April vote failed, even with the rumored $2 million bribe paid to one state senator, keeping electronic bingo illegal in Alabama.
Of course it failed. Because, in Alabama, gambling and everything to do with it is considered a sin. (Or that's the mindset of some, anyway.)
States such as Tennessee and Georgia are using money from lotteries and other vice-related activities to fund schools, roads and the overall improvement of the state.
Alabama, as is so often the case, has taken the opposite approach.
Instead of embracing a new idea--an idea which might be scary or dangerous or downright sinful to some--but that will improve the state if the funds are properly appropriated, Alabama responds with fear and state power. Seeking to benefit most is the school system, which is woeful and in need of support.
Gov. Bob Riley and his anti-gambling task force, with its white armor and its John Williams' marching score, have shut down VictoryLand on several occasions, putting approximately 600 employees out of work each time.
VictoryLand and its 600 employees have been out of work since August 9.
Here's the thing: people can abuse anything--alcohol, afternoon TV, applesauce--almost anything you can imagine can be abused.
Gambling is no different.
It is abused by some.
But, as is often the case with abusive personalities, if it's not gambling, it's something else.
For Lee County residents, it's a quick drive to Georgia to service all lottery, strip club and 40-oz. dreams, with Biloxi's tables and slots less than an afternoon away.
Trying to protect people from themselves is not the answer, especially when it prevents the influx of much-needed money into our state.
What's more important: preserving the puritanical needs of the superstitious and perpetually angry or educating our state's children to help them compete in an increasingly global environment?
The answer seems obvious. Maybe the next governor will agree.
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