Economic Stimulus Aid Trickles Down to Casino Gambling Junkets

First, thousands upon thousands of jobs depend on the Las Vegas casino industry thriving.

Billions of taxpayer dollars are being handed out to giant corporations and banks, and they are preparing to use it to stimulate the economy the way they always have: party in Las Vegas! The Huffington Post is notable among many media outlets attacking beneficiaries of the bail-out package for criticizing management for continuing to organize gambling junkets and casino getaways, but aren't these important in many ways?

First, thousands upon thousands of jobs depend on the Las Vegas casino industry thriving. Dollars spent in Vegas keep dealers, waitresses, hotel personnel, bartenders, cooks, and pit bosses employed. Single moms galore shimmy up metal poles, forlornly hoping for a stray stimulus dollar. Restoring the economy to health means bringing back the masses to the largely empty Las Vegas resorts.

Secondly, companies accused of wasting the stimulus money are competing for top employees. Sinking morale and workers deserting ship does not engender rapid economic growth. Sending valued employees to luxurious stays at casino resorts, allowing them to relax while gambling, keeps an organization sharp and attracts the highest caliber of worker.

Wells Fargo is reportedly considering canceling its company excursion to the ritzy Wynn Las Vegas, a twelve-night sojourn endangered by bad publicity. But the company says the getaway is a longtime Fargo tradition; without it, employees might think the company had gone bankrupt or something!

Wells Fargo spokesman Melissa Murray said today in defense of the gambling trip, "Recognition events are still part of our culture. It's really important that our team members are still valued and recognized."

Morgan Stanley has canceled a scheduled trip to Monte Carlo, but then that would violate the "Buy American" clause of the stimulus package. Why shouldn't Wells Fargo allow its insurance division to meet for two days at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas?

After all, they have great meeting rooms, and think of the dollars that float down to Ricardo, who carries your bags; Denise, who turns down our bed; Al, who busts you with a ten after you hit on twelve, and even Susie, whose thousand-dollar hourly fee at the Bunny Ranch has to come from somewhere.