Constitution Party of NY Statement On the Casino
Issue
5/6/2004
The Constitution Party of New York is dedicated to restoring New York to
its constitutional limitations and biblical presuppositions. When New
York families are struggling to get by, we understand the temptation to
turn to casinos as a panacea. However, gambling is a destructive force
in any society, which, if planted and allowed to grow, will thrust its
roots deep into the soil and eventually poison surrounding communities
with its toxic fruit. Gambling, is predicated on the losses, pain, and
suffering of others. Scripture is replete with exhortations toward
industriousness and admonitions against slothfulness. Gambling,
meanwhile, portends something for nothing. The multi-billion-dollar
gambling industry is built on money and greed.
Over five million people are currently addicted to gambling. In many
cases, money spent on gambling is money that should have gone to provide
for the well-being of one's family or the advancement of a worthy cause.
In all cases, it is an unwise investment with an almost-certain negative
return. More importantly, such spending propagates an immoral, predatory
and exploitative industry. Legal gambling operations are steeped in
deceit. Casinos without clocks or windows to hide the passage of time,
slot machines programmed for "near misses," and "riverboat" casinos
that cannot sail are but a few examples. To engage in gambling indicates
both a lack of trust in and dissatisfaction with God's provision.
Therefore, we oppose casino gambling in Erie County and all gambling
across New York. We particularly condemn the government of New York,
which regulates gambling while simultaneously running a lottery of its
own. The purpose of government is to protect the welfare of the
citizenry and to suppress evil. State-sanctioned gambling does the
opposite.
The Constitution Party of New York has a real plan for economic
growth in New York, but gambling isn't part of it..
Submitted by:
Joe Eldred
Secretary
Constitution Party of New York