Scourge of Oklahoma and the Legacy of Governor Brad Henry

It is almost time for Brad Henry to leave. He has been a two term Governor for the State of Oklahoma and his term will expire in January 2011. His crowning achievements for Oklahoma are the “Education” Lottery and Casino Gambling.

I cannot see how aggressively encouraging the citizens of Oklahoma to participate in the lottery through their advertising campaigns is good public policy. The lottery is designed to, or supposes to make money to contribute to an education fund to benefit Oklahoma public schools. The only way this happens is when the participants LOSE MONEY. How about consolidating school districts, reducing administration as a means to save money, thus providing more money for schools? Increased tax deductions for giving money to schools perhaps? Lotteries don’t work, don’t let Brad Henry fool you. It was and is a bad idea.

The casino gaming compact was pushed through, or disguised as a measure to help the struggling Oklahoma horsemen. The proliferation of Indian Casinos is an embarrassment to this State, to the Indians, and to Brad Henry. The extent of the problems caused by gambling and problem gambling are never talked about. Obviously I cannot monitor every news outlet in the State of Oklahoma, but I do listen to the radio and watch the news daily. I don’t remember any stories about the problems that gambling causes. Don’t kid yourself into thinking there are not problems right here in Oklahoma. I suspect you don’t hear about them though because the casinos spend huge amounts of money advertising in the print and broadcast media.

I am a native Oklahoman. I love this State. However, it will never be a tourist destination like Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe, or Atlantic City, and that is OK with me. The Indian casinos are taking money from Oklahoma citizens and leaving problems behind. I have three options:

First option: repeal the gaming compact immediately or start working towards repeal. I believe the compact comes up for vote again in 2021.
Second option: open up the casino market to all players. If we want Oklahoma to be a tourist destination for gambling, let the big players in. Maybe then we will actually get new money into the State. We can abolish the State income tax because we will more than make up for it in tourism taxes. We can then also regulate the casinos. As it is now, we have the fox watching the hen house.
Option 3: if we can’t or won’t do option 2, then restrict access to Indian casinos to those that are enrolled members of an Indian Tribe. We will see how anxious the Indian Tribes will be to expand their casino operation then.

I don’t have a moral issue with gambling and I certainly don't have a problem with the Indian Nations. It is just flat bad business for the State of Oklahoma. Thank you Brad Henry.