Question 2 is about GAMBLING

This fall we have seen countless ads about Referendum Question 2. If one was to listen to the ads and read the fliers that are being received three or four times a week they would be convinced that this was a jobs bill that was being funded.

It is not. No matter how many times people who look like everyday Mainers tell us in ads that this will bring jobs that is not what this is about.

This is about gambling. This is about bringing a casino to Biddeford. Let me ask you something. Without denigrating Biddeford is there anyplace in Maine that is less suited economically and demographically to having a casino in Biddeford. The routines that Maine comedian Bob Marley does about Biddeford are broad and generalizing but they are about Biddeford for a reason.

It is quite something to see these ads. All one has to do in these instances is follow the money. It is never about jobs. No private company wants to do business to bring in jobs. If they feel they can make money at it and jobs are a result so be it but if it was just about jobs we would have a million non profits. There is nothing wrong with making money, there is nothing wrong with wanting to make a profit.

What is wrong, at least to me, is the bait and switch being done with these ads. One could see all the media on this issue and not know what business is being promoted.

We have a casino approved in Oxford, constant agitation in Princeton for a casino there and now we have Question 3 that relates to Hollywood Slots in Bangor. They want us to now allow them to have table games. With the gambling companies it is always something more. One of the methods on the ads for Question 3 to get us in favor is their claim that Oxford will have table games so it is only fair for Bangor too.

Think about it. All the economic trouble in Maine and the two major referendums this year are about allowing the Gambling industry to dig further into our psyche and business climate.

We need to build something. We need factories and call centers and industry. We do not need to go for the easy low wage money that makes out of state gambling interests rich.

Another note. Construction jobs? How many of those will be union jobs? And how many of those will be employing Mainers. Will the bids be given to Maine companies.

On all levels this is a bad idea.