Originally posted by The Nuul
Obama is right though.
No, Obama isn't right. Many other places also rely on travel and tourism, should people avoid those too? As for gambling, thirty nine states....thirty nine, now have casinos and only Utah and Hawaii don't have some form of gambling. States always legalize it saying the money will go for education, healthcare, the elderly, etc...but it never does. It goes in a general state spending fund where politicians can use it as they see fit. Meanwhile most gambling markets are either local or regional, the casinos in those markets rob Peter to pay Paul, they put other businesses out of business because the locals no longer see movies, go bowling, eat at non casino affiliated resteraunts, etc. Vegas on the other hand caters to truely an international market attracting people from all over the country and world...and most of them only visit Vegas occasionally. Of all the gaming markets in the US Vegas is actually the LEAST harmful to our national economy. It's also interesting to note that 2 mega companies. MGM/Mirage and Harrahs, now control the majority of the Vegas market yet also have numerous casinos in other markets.....why didn't Obama mention them? Why just vegas? Ehy not the casino industry as a whole?
Indians want to hunt whales to "preserve their culture" and at the same time want to open casinos.
No..Obama is wrong....totally wrong.
Originally posted by The Dark Cloud
No, Obama isn't right. Many other places also rely on travel and tourism, should people avoid those too? As for gambling, thirty nine states....[b]thirty nine, now have casinos and only Utah and Hawaii don't have some form of gambling. States always legalize it saying the money will go for education, healthcare, the elderly, etc...but it never does. It goes in a general state spending fund where politicians can use it as they see fit. Meanwhile most gambling markets are either local or regional, the casinos in those markets rob Peter to pay Paul, they put other businesses out of business because the locals no longer see movies, go bowling, eat at non casino affiliated resteraunts, etc. Vegas on the other hand caters to truely an international market attracting people from all over the country and world...and most of them only visit Vegas occasionally. Of all the gaming markets in the US Vegas is actually the LEAST harmful to our national economy. It's also interesting to note that 2 mega companies. MGM/Mirage and Harrahs, now control the majority of the Vegas market yet also have numerous casinos in other markets.....why didn't Obama mention them? Why just vegas? Ehy not the casino industry as a whole?Indians want to hunt whales to "preserve their culture" and at the same time want to open casinos.
No..Obama is wrong....totally wrong. [/B]
TDC maybe onto something here...as far as competition goes. For years Indian Casinos in California (and Arizona too) have been increasing and expanding to compete with the Vegas Strip. While they do gather business and customers they failed to even come close to attract the masses that LV have. This is despite the fact they have advantage because of their reservation rights, which unlike Vegas they have it easier. In the next 10 years Indian Reservation Casinos will eventually become quite more bigger....but the competition with Vegas will always be there.
Originally posted by The Nuul
Real people have real issues to take care of and gambling of any kind is at the bottom end of their list on things to do. Dont forget the American housing market crashed because people got greedy.
I'm glad you speak for everone else. I guess the 80 million gamblers in America, not to mention tens of millions in other countries, aren't "real people". Hell, let's shut down sports. People shouldn't be wasting money going to sporting events.
As for the housing, market....it's totally NOT the same thing and you know it, or at least I hope you do.
Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
That's completely irrelevant, but nice try.
You're right. Americans should not go to casinos and support a multi billion dollar industry that employs several million nationwide. Instead we should listen to Obama and pay more taxes so he can continue two wars he said he was going to stop. Now that's real productive.
Originally posted by chomperx9
i cant wait for someone to take a picture of obama or his family members visiting vegas. that would be hilarious
Na, he's filthy rich, he can afford to piss away money playing roulette and it isn't going to affect his or his children's future.
He was referring to the poor rabble that can't make the rent or the mortgage payment, but have a shiny new car and are taking it to Vegas.
Originally posted by The Dark Cloud
But he isn't right
I don't know, the first thing he said was somewhat vague, but after he clarified, I think it makes perfect sense. I mean, I wouldn't know how to quantify whether what he said is "right" but to me it rings true that if you are saving money for things like college education, blowing it on gambling is a counter productive thing. I understand people enjoy gambling, but I think like most things, moderation is the key, which is what Obama tried to say I believe. Going on vacation is fine and so is gambling as long as you spend your money reasonably. The college fund of your children is perhaps not what should support your losing streak...unless you don't like your children, then why the hell do you have a college fund in the first place though?
The article says he "suggested" people spend their money more sensibly. In tough economic times, a president who's advising the people to not blow money away should be lauded not criticized. I can understand why the gambling business itself would be upset, but personally, I care more about the welfare of the family than the welfare of the casino.
Now if Obama was ordering people on the other hand...
If you're gonna make non-strategic (non-poker) random chance bets in a bad economy, don't go to Vegas, just buy tickets for the lowest yield lottery in your state, so money will at least be going to good causes. I know here we have a Cash 5 drawing every day with prizes ranging from $1-$20,000 with a 1:6 chance of winning.