By FITSNews || We developed a tremendous amount of respect for S.C. Senator Robert Ford last year when he announced his support of universal school choice legislation in South Carolina.
It wasn’t just Ford’s support of choice that impressed us, though … it was the way he withstood a barrage of slings and arrows from the establishment sellouts in the African-American community, so called “black leaders” whose definition of political courage is dumping more money into the same corrupt establishment that continues failing their children one generation at a time.
Anyway, Ford is back this year with a “brand new invention,” a plan to bring video poker back to South Carolina – and tax the hell out of it.
Ford says his plan would bring in nearly $1 billion in new tax revenue and create 40,000 jobs. He’s even put forward a detailed plan as to how he wants to spend all of that money – which is generating a surprising amount of interest given the state’s deteriorating revenue situation.
Among other items, Ford wants to spend $300 million on education, give $250 million to local governments and spend $100 million into raises for state employees. Clearly we disagree with his prioritization of funding (we would rebate taxpayers and eliminate debt), but it’s hard to argue with the idea itself.
A decade ago, video poker was one of South Carolina’s biggest industries – generating an estimated $3 billion in annual revenue. It was banned in 2000, however, when the S.C. Supreme Court blocked a referendum that would have given Palmetto State residents the right to vote on the issue.
That’s a right the Palmetto State’s citizens should be allowed to exercise.
As far fetched as Ford’s proposal might sound, GOP leaders are privately preparing for the gambling issue to come up during the next legislative session in a big way. In fact, FITS spoke Monday with one prominent Republican leader who said that discussions were already underway with religious leaders in an effort to prepare them for the coming push.
We’re not opposed to the notion of bringing video poker back, although we think a much better idea would be to legalize all forms of gambling along South Carolina’s coast – which would create a tremendous competitive advantage for the state’s $18.4 billion tourism industry as well as minimize the social costs that government would incur as a result of problem or pathological gamblers.
But still, props to Ford for doing what he thinks is right and taking on another controversial issue …
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By Nathan Rice May 3, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I didn’t see a “Hell Yes!” option, so I guess “Yes” will have to do for now.
And ditto on not liking his plan for the extra revenue. As if SC “public servants” needed higher salaries. Puh-uh-leeeze.
By 803andy May 3, 2010 at 6:31 pm
“legalize all forms of gambling along South Carolina’s coast”
Thats a great idea, I wouldn’t legalize all forms of gambling though…. but its a good idea. Video poker isn’t as attractive as the Vegas style of gambling, VP has a dingy lower class undertone.
By SnakeMD May 3, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Why can’t we bet on horses? Build some nice tracks and stadiums. Carolina Cup every month! It would provide tons of jobs and even maybe USC could start a Veterinarian School. Midlands Tech could offer Farrier classes. Horse racing is classy and the sport of kings. Video poker is on par with bingo and turkey shoots. Flashing fluorescent triple cherry signs are plain tacky and homeless people sitting on a stool plunking in their last dollar is a pathetic sight. I say bring on the ponies and tally ho!!
By Pluvlaw May 3, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Gambling should be legalized. SC would be huge. Vegas-East with beaches and Waffle Houses. And as to the “pathological gamblers” problem, it’s not like we don’t already have a system that could deal with it. The argument you always hear is the degenerate dad who stops at the thrift mart and wasted all the paycheck on video poker instead of buying the kids food. Let people petition the Family Courts to have someone declared a “spendthrift.” You have a hearing. Momma gives the court enough proof to prove Dad is a degenerate gambler and the State declares him such. Then Casinos aren’t allowed to let him in. If they do, they’re hit with a hefty fine and Dad gets locked up.
For those that don’t think this can work, let me remind you of how effective Casino security is: CASINOS CAN KEEP YOU FROM DOING MATH IN YOUR HEAD! If they can do that, they can keep Billy Ray from blowing his paycheck on the slots.
And as to the religious leaders…someone needs to sit down and let them know how big of cash cow legalized gambling would be for their bottom line. Praise Jesus! Think of the fundraising opportunities to battle Satan right here! Out Demon! I say get out demon of dice from this good man!
By Mike May 3, 2010 at 8:38 pm
I love gambling.
50 bucks the Smails kid picks his nose.
Another 50 he eats it.
By Jeffy May 3, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Maaaaaan……..shiiiiiittttttttttt
By Better B Glad May 3, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Problem with legalizing it is the Bob Jones nut job real republican party destroyers will launch a massive campaign to stop this….Until someone can say no to them or put a stop to their ridiculous radical stances at times this subject and the passive thereof will remain moot…..I say pass…..here is a simple concept….if you dont like gambling, dont gamble, if you see a gambling machine, turn away if it bothers you….where in the hell did all our common sense go??????
By Mike at the beach May 3, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Mike-
Any pop-culture reference from Caddyshack gets two thumbs up…
By FITS_Gals May 3, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Mike,
You’ve watched Caddy Shack a bit much, huh?
xoxo,
FITS Gals
By FITS_Gals May 3, 2010 at 9:59 pm
That was pretty funny.
By SubZeroIQ May 3, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Yeah, that’s exactly what South Carolina’s illiterate children need to help their education: their parents (such as they have) glued to vidoe poker machines.
People: when will you understand? Gambling and video-poker and bingo-parlors do not “bring money in,” they just move it around. They do not “create jobs,” they just take people without skills and put them in situations where they aren’t stimulated to develop any skills.
Real jobs make things. True money comes from selling things which you made and which people really need and want.
By oh My May 3, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Ask Attorney General candidate Robert Bolchoz, he is all for video poker. He has had some good hands when playing that game… High priced clients and all.
By Psst May 3, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Robert Bolchoz will get a lota votes!!! LOL Bring it on! If people want to gamble, it’s their choice. REMEMBER that word? CHOICE…. Hmmm goes hand in hand with Freedom. Personal responsibility. No thanks to Nanny state… No Thanks!
By Billy Bob May 4, 2010 at 7:12 am
So, instead of just one stupid idea, Ford now has two. Of course, Fits likes stupid ideas.
By Liberty For Me May 4, 2010 at 9:37 am
We should bring in all forms of gambling and casinos.I thought this was “supposed” to be a free country.
Those of you that think adults should be controlled in all aspects of life are free to move to China.Those of us responsible enough to be able to govern our own actions would like some LIBERTY…..Wait,the Chinese probaly have more freedom than we do now.HMMMM
On second thought,who would want to increase jobs and tax revenue…silly rabbit
By FunkyChicken May 4, 2010 at 10:22 am
The fact that Robert Ford is part of the voucher movement and aligned with Will Folks’ employer, South Carolinians for Responsible Government, is all I need to know to convince me the voucher movement is loaded with the nuts of South Carolina. I know you like the money coming from SCRG Will, but Robert Ford is a joke and, like you, for sale to the highest bidder. It does not matter if the idea is good or not as long as you and Robert get your money from Uncle Howard Rich.
By Ed May 4, 2010 at 10:40 am
Don’t go stealing my platform for Governor. I have been advocating for about 10 years that we allow gambling in Myrtle Beach, creating an Atlantic City-style area in the Myrtle Beach city limits, but leaving the north and south free of gambling for family-friendly activities, hotels, and restaurants. Take all the golf courses, throw in the beach, and add gambling, and you have a major player for conventions, bachelor parties, vacation destinations, but preserve the ability for families to come down to North Myrtle and Surfside.
Oh, I think the voucher idea is a joke. Legalize gambling along the coast and there will be so much money for the schools no one will need a voucher, just tougher standards on teachers and administrators.
By fitsnews May 4, 2010 at 10:41 am
Funky Chicken,
Again, reading comprehension:
“We’re not opposed to the notion of bringing video poker back, although we think a much better idea would be to legalize all forms of gambling along South Carolina’s coast …”
Also, the SCRG accusation against our founding editor is “so 2008.” People by now have figured out we support school choice based on its merits, not because anyone is paying us to do so.
-FITS
By Ed May 4, 2010 at 10:42 am
Atlantic City’s gaming halls employed 36,091 people at the end of March 2010, according to statistics from the state Casino Control Commission. The figures show that 30,470 of those workers live in Atlantic County, with 7,246 workers — or about 20 percent of the casino work force — living in the resort.
By Pluvlaw May 4, 2010 at 11:31 am
Two obstacles to SC casinos: Bob Jones (despite the lame “just at the beach” pandering) and Burroughs & Chapin.
By Checking in May 4, 2010 at 12:02 pm
B&C may reconsider that now that a lot of their properties sit dormant in the dirty Myrtle
By Scene SC May 4, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Worst idea ever. They would have to put the poker machines outside now with all of the indoor smoking bans. I guess since we have the lottery, why not have poker machines too And why not full on casinos? Gambling is gambling. Hell, it paid for me to go to college for free.
By Jim May 4, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Where are we on the oil wells? Bring back gambling and dril baby drill. Greenbacks and Black Gold on the beaches, the smells of money in the air heaven on earth.
By Charles May 4, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Oh, when the sun beats down
And melts the tar out on the beach
And your streak is so hot
You wish another credit card was in reach
Under the boardwalk
Down by the sea, yeah
In a casino with my kids bringing me beers
Is where I’ll be
(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be having some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People rolling the dice
(Under the boardwalk) It’ll be so nice
(Under the boardwalk, boardwalk)
In the park you hear
The happy sound of ringing bells
and You can almost taste the oil whose
fragrance drifts in from the wells
Under the boardwalk
Down by the sea, yeah
Washing oil off of my oysters
Is where I’ll be
By Jeffy01 May 4, 2010 at 3:19 pm
wow….wouldnt want Myrtle Beach to look tacky or anything…right?
By madcock May 4, 2010 at 8:01 pm
This guy is a real loser!
By Cancerman May 4, 2010 at 9:19 pm
At least he has a fucking idea, none of the other assholes have a clue about revenue generation and whats coming next year, NO MORE STIMULUS MONEY TO SHORE UP THEIR PET PROJECTS.
By Toyota Kawaski May 5, 2010 at 8:33 am
School choice on its merits HA HA!!! Fits you are full of more Shyatt then your former boss.
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By sureYknot October 21, 2010 at 2:32 am
I think it’s a great idea and it’s about time,this time however they need to create an extra law that makes it illegal for the State legislatures to make it illegal again.
Sure I am a gambler for many years I’ve lost tons of money on video poker games.
But the State needs money if it lowers property taxes I’m all for it.
If it keeps the sales taxes amongst the lowest in the nation I’m for it.
If it finally puts some real money into a working school system I’m all for it.
Let me tell you I had played those video poker games for nearly 15 years in South Carolina before those nimwits made it illegal.
Then came the all mighty savior called the “Powerball” which I voted against period.
The numbers show something much different,since South Carolina has only had a single citizen that has won a Powerball JP since 2001 I’d say in the long run we have lost hundereds of millions in possible revenues which would be depended upon year after year with video gambling devices,unlike the lottery which the States are gambling that there will be a winner in that State,and besides the vast majority of winnings as far as taxes go gets fed to the federal government(32% or higher),the very ones that love to give businesses that are not responsible the hard working peoples money.
Or they create a bunch of bigger government spending that keeps the people from getting their money back,and then they blackmail the States into doing what the Fed’s say or they will keep it but instead of calling it blackmail the fed’s call it “Federal appropriations”.
The States need to stop depending on the federal government,once that happens then the States start to regain their control over big irrational government.
What this will mean is if the States simply STOP getting those appropriations then the Fed can no longer justify holding the tax payers money to fund those crazy ponzie schemes.
They will have to refund the monies back to the rightful owners and more jobs will be created period.
Although they blocked the people from South Carolina voting on the video poker games,they had no problem allow them to vote on the Powerball,I voted against the Powerball myself because I knew full well what was going to happen.