Gathering Places
Gathering Places
Governor Benjamin Cayetano has revived the question of legalized gambling in Hawaii, an issue that never seems to die. The governor has suggested that the issue be decided by a referendum during the next election. Gambling is a
loser for HawaiiThis is but the latest of the resurgent pressures to persuade the public to accept legalized gambling. When the Legislature is struggling to find money to cover the continually rising costs of government, the temptation for this easy money is great -- and the proponents of the issue are powerful.
Having lived in Las Vegas for two years, I saw firsthand the fruits of legalized gambling in ways the casual visitor may not absorb. Nevada should have had the best schools in the nation because, in theory, the taxes paid by gambling establishments were designated to support education.
It didn't work that way. My children were in the Las Vegas school system, and I was a substitute teacher there. In no way were the schools even remotely up to the standards we enjoy in Hawaii.
First, persons who are responsible for paying gambling taxes are experts in tax evasion. Ask Internal Revenue Service agents how many of their problem cases come from owners of gambling establishments, not only in Las Vegas, but Atlantic City and other gambling centers.
Second, since schools are supposed to be financed by gambling taxes, the state does not even consider a budget for financing education, so the schools end up having less, rather than more, support.
We lived in Las Vegas because my husband was a Navy chaplain stationed at a now-defunct base. His major responsibility turned out to be helping the many young Navy people who had gotten into serious trouble because of their gambling habits.
These people thought a weekend in Las Vegas would help stretch their small salaries to cover their already heavy gambling debts -- but it never ended up like that. We heard only of those who hit it big in Vegas, while the persons who came into his office daily had a completely different story. Don't be fooled. For every big winner there were hundreds whose lives were ruined by gambling.
People from Hawaii flock to Las Vegas for exciting, glittering holidays and see only the tinsel and sparkle of the bright lights of the casinos, the big time shows and the fabulous food. They don't see the junior high school girls being lured into prostitution. They don't see the drug dealers in elementary, junior high and high schools, which thus required elaborate security systems.
Along with those who sponsor legalized gambling come the other tag-a-longs aimed at lowering a community's standard of living. Is there any wonder that the police forces of all islands are against legalizing gambling? Do we really want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg -- the natural beauty and spirit of aloha that is unique to Hawaii?
If other communities choose to pollute themselves with the smut that is inherent in legalizing gambling, we can't prevent it. But we can keep it out of Hawaii. We are the ones who will either approve or defeat it, and defeat it we must.
Graceleanor Baird, a retired English teacher,
lives in Kalaheo, Kauai.