Casino Gambling Opponents Blame Gaming for Defense Problems
A new book by a gambling critic demonstrates no shame in the author's attempt to slur the casino gaming industry. Throwing handfuls of crap at the wall to see what sticks, John W. Kindt makes an argument that the spread of legalized gambling hurts military preparedness and national security.Kindt, a professor of business at the University of Illinois, helped write "Gambling With National Security, Terrorism, and Military Readiness," the second in a three volume series called the United States International Gambling Report Series.
Kindt cites economic evidence that dollars spent in the traditional economy enjoy a multiplier effect in strengthening the economy through the creation of jobs, which leads to more dollars spent, and so on. But noted economic observer Paul Sonnnenstine says the multiplier is a more true criticism of government spending than gambling.
"Casinos bring thousands of jobs to otherwise depressed areas, and all those salaries and wages reenter the consumer economy," said Sonnenstine. "The multiplier effect exists, but it is more applicable as a reason welfare and socialist spending deprive the economy of productive dollars."
Kindt goes on to assert that the economy gets weaker, costing the state revenues which would fund defense spending. He also says legal gambling leads to military personnel enjoying time at casinos and patronizing gambling sites, which affects military readiness.
Sonnenstine says,' To say that soldiers may enjoy gambling in their leisure time and thus our military is less prepared is a desperate straw to clutch, indeed. If soldiers go to movies, or eat at restaurants, or make love to their wives, do these become issues of national security?
"This seems to be another case of people hating to allow free choice to others, and using any rabble-rousing zealotry they can imagine to create a mob mentality that overwhelms reason."
