Casino workers or teachers?

by: robusdin

Sun Feb 13, 2011 at 04:01:19 PM EST

SO I was having a conversation with a conservative recently and the subject of NJ putting money into the casinos in Atlantic City came up.  I said "Do we really need to use our tax dollars to prop up casinos and Atlantic City?"

TO which I got a reply of "Yes, but the casinos contribute to the state economy, think about how many people would be out of work if they fail?"

"Hmmm...  So what you're saying is it's OK for the government to get into the business of bailing out free enterprise if it can't support itself?"

"No....I mean...we'll lose all those jobs...."

"So what about GM? SHould we have bailed them out or not?  Free market economy right?"

"Well, no....the government needs to help..."

more below

"Uh....yeah...."

"So essentially....it will be OK for the state to prop up a failing business that's run by unions?"

"Well...no....that's not what I said."

"So tell me again why we're pouring money into Atlantic City....but cutting money from education which has caused educated workers to be laid off.  At the very least - if we're going to spend money not on education....maybe we should take some of that money and put it into a fund to help those casino workers eventually find other work by educating THEM?"

"But no...I mean....the economy of the state..."

"Is already in poor shape, and if we don't have good schools, then that lowers property values and doesn't give people a whole lot of reason to stay in Jersey anyway....even if their taxes go down."

"Well...we need to invest in business...."

"Then let's invest in small businesses - which are the lifeblood of our communities.  Not entities that are failing in the free market economy.  You do favor free market economy right?"

"I have a headache"

"Yes, so do I.  Because we have chosen casinos over education.  A losing proposition."