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When sending letters to the editor,You must include your name, telephone number and physical address in the email or postal letter before it will appear. We will only print your name and city on-line. Ramifications Of Legalizing Slot Machines As we consider the consider legalizing slot machines in West Virginia, let us also consider the ramifications. 1) They prey upon the lowest income groups of our society - - those who can least afford it. Left behind in the wake are divorces, bankruptcies, theft, suicide, domestic violence, alcoholism and drug abuse. 2) Other states that had legalized gray machines in the past have witnessed its devastation on society and their economy and have now banned them. Take South Carolina, for instance. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce did a study and determined that $424 million was lost each year in societal and economic costs. WE SHOULD LEARN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA'S MISTAKE! 3) State-sanctioned gambling does not generate NEW income. It merely takes money away from our poorest citizens and transfers it to the Government and slot machine operators. West Virginia needs to restructure their tax code and find out why large corporations are not locating here so we can generate NEW income in our state. Why do you think we are continually one of the poorest states in the nation? We keep transferring our income amongst ourselves instead of generating new wealth. 4) We should not be in the business of funding scholarships exclusively through a sin tax. How many middle income and wealthy individuals do you see sitting in front of slot machines day in and day out? Our poorest citizens should not be asked to foot the bill for our wealthiest to attend college for free. 5) Most West Virginians OPPOSE gambling expansion. 6) It is laughable to say "we can't enforce the illegality of gray machines, so we might as well tax them." Should we use that argument regarding drug enforcement or controlling prostitution? Prostitution & drugs are also illegal, yet we know it takes place. Should we now legalize these activities so that we they can be taxed? 7) What will happen to the prepaid tuition program that is currently in effect? The bottom line: While a few video poker operators make money & taxes may be paid, the cost to the state will be much higher. We cannot base our state's budget on the state-sanctioned legalization of gambling. To balance our budget based upon a "sin tax" is very shady and many West Virginians won't buy it. I urge our legislators to concentrate on bringing in new jobs & forget about taking us down the slippery slope with the expansion of legalized gambling. Sincerely, Kelli Sobonya Barboursville, WV
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