Casino Commercial

[Zaraspooks]

As I was sitting in my boat in the garage tying lines and watching the Timberwolves game yesterday, I saw a commercial paid for by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibway questioning why the State would want to open "State Run" casinos in the metro area. The defense was that it would cost the local residents around the existing casinos jobs and lost revenue.

Has anyone else seen it on TV and just wondering what your thoughts are on the commercial?

The Spook

[This message has been edited by Zaraspooks (edited 04-28-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Zaraspooks (edited 04-29-2003).]

[perchman]

yes I saw it.. who do you think paid for the commercial? i bet it wasn't the employees..

[Guest]

Glad you posted this. Do they really think their employees are going to quit their $8.00 an hour job to move to the cities to make maybe $10 an hour when the cost of living is twice as much. This is a lousy commerical. It makes no sense at all. I know many people that work for Grand. If they want to retain employees, they should quit treating them like crap.

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[WallEYES]

Well said Derek, I also think that the state run casino's would be great for extra state revenue in the time of need as long as it goes to fund where it should. Maybe the state can get the tribal casino's to pay state tax. The state even has to maintain roads and highways in tribal/reservation land off tax payer monies. In Wisconsin it is the opposite way around. Thank Mr. Humphrey and the liberal polititians for that.

[bear hunter]

well i think that thay souldnt open state run casinos and i dont think that theay should pay taxs we took the land from them and thats the lease we coud do and thats my 2 cents

[Fathead]

This may come across in a way that makes me out to be some sort of prude, but here is my view on casinos.

I do not think that the state, corporations nor the indians should be allowed to operate casinos in this state. Casinos are hurting the people who frequent them the most.

From the time we have allowed indian run casinos (as well as pull tabs, lottery, etc.) to enter this great state. There has been a significant increase in problems associated with these gambling formats.

There has been an increase in personal debt amoung those who gamble, an increase in the number of people seeking counseling to correct their addictions, and not to mention crime associated with gambling. I personally feel that this adds to an increased drain on our society both economically and psychologically that far outweigh any good associated with creation of employment or revenues generated for specific state run programs.

Things like playing poker with friends, fantasy football leagues, etc. are fine. They typically do not get out of hand,at least to the point where people are forced into bankruptcy or counseling (typically speaking of course). But casinos, lottery, pull tabs, are extremely addictive and lead to major social problems in our community.

[Guest]

Fathead; I don't think your a prude, but I do disagree.

If someone has an addictive personality they will find "something" to become addicted to. How many folks do you know that are up to their neck in debt to get the new boat, the latest electronics, the trip to Alaska, etc.etc.etc. I know, "but that's fishing!!" well gambling is just their "fishing".

Ya just can't legislate everyone into a safe little corner, doesn't work, never has , never will.

[eye]

I think that maybe it's time people are held responsible for their actions!! Who's fault is it if someone goes in to these places and loses the monthly mortgage? It certainly isn't mine, yet I shouldn't have the option to go pitch a few chips around, or go to the buffet? Should we go back to prohibition? I know a few alcoholics, maybe it's the liquor store owners fault. I'm just sick and tired of the 10% who can't handle themselves making it a sin for the other 90% who just want to go and enjoy themselves from time to time.

Everyone makes their own decisions.

[Fathead]

Labrat and Eye,

I can definetely see both of your points here. I agree with the fact that there are responsible people, such as yourselves who may be able to handle situations that others find addictive.

What I was trying to say is that things like legalized gambling, create a negative undercurrent within our society that costs even the most responsible citizens tax payer dollars. This comes in the form of government subsidized grants to agencies who perform counseling and things like increased dollars for larger police forces,etc.

Should we prohibit drinking, gambling, etc? In a free country, that is up for debate. Just know this... legalizing gambling etc. results in taxpayers defraying the increased costs for the byproducts which it creates.

[eyes']

Bear Hunter, I have one question for you...How long do we have to pay for our mistakes? For the rest of our lives? For the rest of humanity? Where do you draw the line? We are paying for something that happend how long ago, those people are long gone and yet we still pay...

[Long Gray Line]

There's only one reason that the tribes don't want state run casinos and we all know what it is. I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for them since I found out that the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa own corporate suite #69 at the Excel center. They're an hour and a half driving time away from watching the Wild play so why do you think they own it and where do you think the money for it comes from??

[WallEYES]

The gill netting is a different issue. Hopefully it won't turn into another Red Lake, where both whites and native a. were at fault for the depletion of the resource for financial gain... but then maybe there would be a crappie explosion on Mille Lacs and I wouldn't have to drive that far. I don't agree with netting, especially during the pre and spawn periods. Give this issue a rest a do something about. I have written and bugged enough people in the legislature/governorships and attended many meetings and on proposed issues....get out and do your part instead of ranting in here. I'll get off my soap box now.

[huskminn]

The "Racino" bill was only passed in the House and still is up for consideration in the Senate. It is not law.

The Indian Casinos are a done deal. The federal gov't paved the road for reservation casinos in 1988 and, for decades, the BIA's position on economic development on reservations has been nothing but one of encouragement. That will never change.

The State of MN cut their deals with the tribes here over 10 years ago and now the State is unhappy with the deal that they, themselves, negotiated. Yet another lesson that government has little foresight and, when they do, it is most often incorrect.

It is somewhat humorous and definitely ironic that the State of MN now so desparately wants to confiscate Indian money. It is also shameful and telling. Obviously, our politicians are so greedy for money that they will do everything to get more of it and will do nothing to stop spending it.

In addition to these negatives, I think it is always a bad idea for government to compete with private business. That wasn't, isn't and never should be an intended function of government.

Gambling should not be a state sponsored activity. As much as I agree with those comments here that everyone should be left to their own free will, gambling--especially video gambling--can be a very damaging pursuit. The State of South Dakota runs video "lottery" machines in nearly every business that has a liquor license. It was an extension of existing scratch-off lottery legislation. I have personal knowledge of a number of individuals who were established, successful business men and women who lost their businesses, their families and their lives with the advent of video lottery in South Dakota.

There were Indian casinos in South Dakota prior to the introduction of video lottery. Yet the problems associated with gambling didn't become significant until the state got into the game and proliferated access.

I firmly believe that if our state politicians do not have the intestinal fortitude to curb spending (which they don't), they will not have the intestinal fortitude to limit themselves to only one Racino. Once they see the money coming in, they won't be able to stop themselves.

I am glad that Pawlenty will most likely veto this bill. Especially with the recent addition of language that agrees to stop this legislation if the Indian casinos will give the state 6% of their profits.

Talk about Totalitarian arm twisting....can you imagine running a succesful business for the first time in 150 years and the State dropping by to say that they are going to compete with you unless you share your profits? The Gambino family perfected this set-up and now the State of MN wants to try it's hand at it?

This Racino thing stinks all over.

If you find yourself favoring it because it gets back at the Indians, perhaps you should be lobbying your federal representatives to change funding guidelines in the BIA. Obviously, some tribes have a lot of money from their casinos...as their wealth increases, their receipt of federal dollars should be decreased.

[Rick]

The State Passed a bill that will alllow a Casino.

In the bill Tribal Governments can block the Casino if they agree to: Give 6% of gambling receipts to the state, agree to not add any more gambling devices and allow the state to audit their books.

[Guest]

Should request an end to spearing and netting in all cases other than for religious purposes also in my opinion!

[eye]

Huskminn,

I think every buisness owner knows exackly what it feels like to have the government step in, it's called TAXES! Everyone else has to pay then to live and work here, what makes a certain group untoutchable?

I agree with you 100% about the government's deal making abilities, they (casinos) should have been paying this money all along like every other ligitimate business.

As far as the state putting their fingers in the gambling business, that will be a good debate, I guess I can see both sides on that. I just think in this day and age everyone should have to play on the same level.

[Guest]

I do not see what the problem with the state having a cut of their profits, or even having a Casino. The Indians are being well overcompansated. Besides The dakota were here long before, until they were driven out, and the white man comes long and drives the indians away, now its still our fault. Why dont the Dakota get a cut from the casinos that are on land they once occupied. I also didnt know that in the treaty it was said to be allright for the indians to commercial net. My point being if they do not want to give any percantage to the state and be tax free, thats fine. Just have the state put a toll on all of the roads(which are paid by taxpayers)surronding the reservations at 50 dollars, so if people want to gamble they have pay the toll to go to and leave the reservation, sounds fare to me.