|
|
Who gets to vote on bingo?
Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008 - 11:20 AM Updated: 12:24 PM
Email a Friend
Reader Reaction
RSS
digg it
Printer Friendly
Sphere IT
Save This Page
Merriam-Webster defines, “Vote: a usually formal expression of opinion or will in response to a proposed decision.” To make that decision, I have to have an option. To place a candidate’s name on a ballot, there must be two or more challengers and, therefore, a decision to be made. If there is only one candidate, usually the incumbent, then there is no decision — a winner by default.
For the past 15 years, Houston County has left the decision to play bingo with the voters. Every Wednesday I get to vote on whether I want to go to the VFW and play bingo or not. Every Thursday I get to vote on whether I want to go to the Shriners club and play bingo or not. Once a month I get to vote on whether I want to go to Dothan Country Club and play bingo or not. I have an option. I make a decision. I get to vote.
The freedom of individual choice extends beyond bingo. I get to vote on whether I play the lottery or not. If I vote “yes” to play the lottery, then I get to vote which state receives the revenue from the lottery. Note that Alabama is not on the ballot. I also get to vote whether I want to go to a casino and gamble or not. If I vote “yes” on casino gambling, then Mississippi wins by default due to travel expenses.
I also get to vote in the privacy of my home. If the weather is bad, or I’m just feeling lazy and don’t want to go out, then I get to vote on whether I want to go online and play poker or not. Then there are more decisions to make. Do I want to play black jack, Texas hold ’em, roulette or video slot machines?
All this voting is making me hungry. Now I have to vote where to eat. Houston County has left the decision to play bingo or not with its residents. Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley wants to give us another option. State Sen. Harri Anne Smith, state Rep. Ben Lewis and a select few in Dothan have voted for you. Their vote is to take your vote away. Clearly, they have decided that you don’t need to decide.
Remember, every dollar earned in Alabama and spent outside of Alabama never comes back to Alabama.
John W. Martin
Dothan
Editor’s note: John W. Martin is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. On Monday, Sen. Smith withdrew her bill to put the question of bingo to the voters in a constitutional amendment.
For the past 15 years, Houston County has left the decision to play bingo with the voters. Every Wednesday I get to vote on whether I want to go to the VFW and play bingo or not. Every Thursday I get to vote on whether I want to go to the Shriners club and play bingo or not. Once a month I get to vote on whether I want to go to Dothan Country Club and play bingo or not. I have an option. I make a decision. I get to vote.
The freedom of individual choice extends beyond bingo. I get to vote on whether I play the lottery or not. If I vote “yes” to play the lottery, then I get to vote which state receives the revenue from the lottery. Note that Alabama is not on the ballot. I also get to vote whether I want to go to a casino and gamble or not. If I vote “yes” on casino gambling, then Mississippi wins by default due to travel expenses.
I also get to vote in the privacy of my home. If the weather is bad, or I’m just feeling lazy and don’t want to go out, then I get to vote on whether I want to go online and play poker or not. Then there are more decisions to make. Do I want to play black jack, Texas hold ’em, roulette or video slot machines?
All this voting is making me hungry. Now I have to vote where to eat. Houston County has left the decision to play bingo or not with its residents. Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley wants to give us another option. State Sen. Harri Anne Smith, state Rep. Ben Lewis and a select few in Dothan have voted for you. Their vote is to take your vote away. Clearly, they have decided that you don’t need to decide.
Remember, every dollar earned in Alabama and spent outside of Alabama never comes back to Alabama.
John W. Martin
Dothan
Editor’s note: John W. Martin is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. On Monday, Sen. Smith withdrew her bill to put the question of bingo to the voters in a constitutional amendment.