Don’t let gambling dictate Hawaii’s future
Don’t let gambling dictate Hawaii’s future
To those who wish to make Hawaii a gambling destination: Gambling is by its nature an activity that encourages people to let go of rational thinking and hope that luck will make them rich and powerful.
Along with that irrational thinking are the other irrational and destructive acts that accompany gambling. Like prostitution, smoking, drug use, sleep deprivation, overeating, no exercise, no sun exposure, and becoming indebted.
Gambling does bring in money to those who own casinos. It does broaden the tax base. It does create jobs. But it also subtly destroys positive social values in many ways. Take a look at Atlantic City in New Jersey.
Gambling will not get rid of the homeless. It will create homeless. Gambling will not improve educational institutions or encourage students to graduate. It will not support family values. Just the opposite. Gambling encourages illicit and self destructive behaviors. Casinos encourage people to release their inhibitions and self-control in very negative ways that are not limited to the actual casinos themselves.
Society is transformed into one of believing that something for nothing is preferable to working, saving, building, creating. I submit to you that Hawaii with casinos will lose its innocence and become a state of crass self indulgence and bitter regret.
Hawaii is about far more than surf, sand and money. It is a state of being. Of caring about one another and the aina. Yes, I know, we are slipping from that model already. But with casinos it will be a much steeper and deeper decline.
We must not allow gamblers and gambling business interests to dictate Hawaii’s future. Hawaii is not so callow as to believe gambling is nothing but sugar plums and fairies. All the promises pale next to all the problems that gambling will bring with the money.
Do you really want your family to get caught up in the gambling culture? Do you really want Hawaii to look like Vegas? Is that the Hawaii you want?
Tom Beach
Waimea