ON THE EXPANSION OF LEGALIZED GAMBLING

Gambling must not be expanded or further legalized in any manner.
Nothing can be legally right that is morally wrong. Gambling is morally wrong, and therefore should never be legalized.

Gambling teaches our citizens to be irresponsible with wealth, and to substitute the traditional work ethic with the fantasy of  --as one gambling promotional put it:  “a dollar and a dream.” Although we can never totally eliminate gambling, the government must not be on the side of encouraging a destructive lifestyle that strikes at the most needy of our citizens. Following this line of logic, the government might well decide to go into drug pushing as well. “Since they’re going to do it anyway, why not let the state make some money from it?”

Government must first do no harm to its citizens. Legalized gambling is harmful to our citizens, and to the moral fabric of our culture.  This is nothing less than state sponsored exploitation of the poor.

The expansion of Quick Draw or PowerBall in the gambling community is equivalent to the introduction of crack cocaine into the drug community. The government must not assume the role of pusher, legal or otherwise.

The argument that this is a good way to fund education is invalid. We must never sacrifice one part of our society to benefit another. Secondly, we all know what a farce this is. Using education to justify gambling is like trying to dress up a malignant tumor to make it look good. Sorry, it won’t work. On the contrary, this teaches our children how to live irresponsibly, and even destructively.
 

ON REFERENDUMS

We have elected legislators to make laws that benefit New Yorkers. Hopefully, we have elected men and women who come from among us, and represent the best of us, and legislate accordingly. To put this issue in the form of a referendum undermines the entire purpose of our republican form of government. The people don’t have the resources and knowledge to know what the long-term effects of gambling will be. That’s why we elect representatives who will take the time to study these issues and legislate according to the common good, not necessarily to our common desires.  We didn’t elect lawmakers to give us what we want, but to provide what we need, according to those values and traditions that have historically made us a great society.
 

SUMMARY

The Christian Coalition of New York strongly urges our legislators to turn the tide of gambling expansion here in New York. Our constituency is made up of over 160,000 individuals and 2400 churches that will be kept informed of the voting records of our legislators on these very important issues through our Legislative Scorecards.