tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post5882079661988900378..comments2024-01-12T11:26:35.176-05:00Comments on Working Stiffs: Here a slot, there a slot...Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-69467567526773086952007-10-03T14:58:00.000-04:002007-10-03T14:58:00.000-04:00I was just talking to someone (who wasn't aware th...I was just talking to someone (who wasn't aware that I had posted on this topic today) and she was pleased to tell me how much money she had won playing slots in West Virginia. But when I posed the question to her of how much money she'd spent to "win" that big, she admitted that she didn't know. From the expression on her face, I'm guessing the numbers didn't balance out in her favor. <BR/><BR/>By the way, this was someone who could NOT afford to lose money. She was trying to win money to make her mortgage payments.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-48996255376359123362007-10-03T14:49:00.000-04:002007-10-03T14:49:00.000-04:00Kristine, what do you mean, you're not a gambler??...Kristine, what do you mean, you're not a gambler??? You're putting your heart and soul and a large chunk of time into writing a novel and then gambling that an agent will like it and an editor will like it and the readers will like it. I think all of us writers are gamblers. It's just a different game we're playing.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-89625739198325230412007-10-03T11:49:00.000-04:002007-10-03T11:49:00.000-04:00An interesting topic. I must admit, casinos don't ...An interesting topic. I must admit, casinos don't do it for me. I'd be very curious to know where the slot money is going. Maybe we need a Sisters investigation. Thanks for the information, ladies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-33517957763499602442007-10-03T10:33:00.000-04:002007-10-03T10:33:00.000-04:00I'm most definitely not a gambler. I'm a strugglin...I'm most definitely not a gambler. I'm a struggling writer, remember? I don't part with what little money I have by chugging it all into a slot machine.<BR/><BR/>When we're on vacation, we do spend a day in Atlantic City, but it's not to gamble. My husband may play for a little while, but I cringe every time I see him stuff a dollar bill into the slot. My whole reason for going is that we eat lunch at a great sub shop and dinner at the cool Rainforest Cafe restaurant. Yes, I just go for the food. <BR/><BR/>I'm not a fan of casinos coming to Pittsburgh because I know that the city residents won't see a dime of the money it's supposed to bring in for tax relief. I think it's just going to bring nothing but problems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-72525566740591663692007-10-03T09:23:00.000-04:002007-10-03T09:23:00.000-04:00Gina, if blowing a roll of nickels is all they're ...Gina, if blowing a roll of nickels is all they're doing, more power to them.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-57638253299689517992007-10-03T09:17:00.000-04:002007-10-03T09:17:00.000-04:00Joyce, I actually edited a little diatribe about t...Joyce, I actually edited a little diatribe about the proposed property tax relief out of my post. Thanks for putting it back in for me by way of your comment.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I'm amazed at how many people seem surprised that we haven't seen that grand reduction in our taxes that was promised back when the powers that be were pushing for the legalization of slots. Ha!<BR/><BR/>And, I'm glad they failed in their attempt to put a casino near Gettysburg, too. Casinos and racetracks? Yeah, those go together. Casinos and historical battlefields? No way.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-60467292067999683312007-10-03T08:57:00.000-04:002007-10-03T08:57:00.000-04:00When we went to Harpers Ferry last year, we went t...When we went to Harpers Ferry last year, we went to the casino in Charlestown. It was the most boring hour I've ever spent in my life. I can't imagine being in one for hours on end. And from what I could see, the people at the slots looked like the people who could least afford to be there.<BR/><BR/>I had a big issue with the casino that was proposed for Gettysburg-right next to East Cavalry Field, on land where J.E.B. Stuart's troops had camped. I'm glad that one was voted down.<BR/><BR/>PA residents will never see a dime of any of that money that's supposed to be for property tax relief. When the state proposed bringing in slots, ALL the money was to go for property tax relief. The state has made millions on the slots so far this year. Where is it? (Probably paying for the governor's meals--one estimate states his food budget tops two million per year.)Joyce Tremelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498392016497131719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-4300265205860812492007-10-03T08:23:00.000-04:002007-10-03T08:23:00.000-04:00I think the big flaw in the pro-casino thnking is ...I think the big flaw in the pro-casino thnking is that everyone looks at Las Vegas and Atlantic City, seeing a vast influx of cash-bearing visitors, without realizing that, when everyone can gamble close to home, that money's going to be divided. It's like when one pizza shop moves into a community and does a booming business. Six more open up and they all end up in bankruptcy, because there really aren't that many people who want pizza.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I don't have anything against gambling. It's like drinking -- enjoyable to some, addictive and life-destroying for others. But having spent some time in Las Vegas (where I limited losses to $10/day), I realized that all those old folks dragging their oxygen tanks from slot machine to slot machine seemed to be having fun. And how many places are there where you can go to have a good time for a few rolls of nickels when you're old and sick?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-57466759149626468362007-10-03T08:08:00.000-04:002007-10-03T08:08:00.000-04:00You're right about those owners, Annette. Why wou...You're right about those owners, Annette. Why would a businessman go through all the hell of permits, meetings and investment if not to make gazillions back? They're certainly not motivated by doing good for neighborhoods.<BR/><BR/>Considering how the PA state lottery "benefits senior citizens," how come everyone over 65 doesn't have a chauffeur by now?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-56221230319545361862007-10-03T07:38:00.000-04:002007-10-03T07:38:00.000-04:00Exactly, Tory. And from what I've witnessed, the o...Exactly, Tory. And from what I've witnessed, the only ones making it rich are the casino owners.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-34592563678704323222007-10-03T07:20:00.000-04:002007-10-03T07:20:00.000-04:00Sometimes I wonder who is more engaged in wishful ...Sometimes I wonder who is more engaged in wishful thinking: the individual gamblers, hoping to "strike it rich," or the public who is voting to bring in the casinos, hoping that Pittsburgh will, "strike it rich."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com