Posted on 09/07/2006 5:33:57 PM PDT by Dubya
DALLAS -- Legalizing casinos in Texas makes sense because residents already drive to nearby states or fly to Las Vegas to gamble, independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman said today. ADVERTISEMENT
"This is common sense," said Friedman "It's crazy to have Louisiana gamblers mad at Oklahoma for taking away their Texans."
Friedman, a musician, author and humorist, said he recently returned from a "fact-finding mission" in Las Vegas and estimated that half the people he met there were from Texas. Texans are also responsible, Friedman said, for transforming the regional gambling hot spot of Tunica, Miss., from the "poorest little town in Mississippi to the richest little town in Mississippi."
Legal casino gambling in Texas would generate between $6 billion and $8 billion annually for the state, he said. That money would improve public schools and lower property taxes, which Friedman described as "obscene and outrageous."
"We would bring the money back home," Friedman said. "Legalizing casino gambling is very popular in Texas, and I think most people want it."
Friedman's comments on gambling were part of an overall political message he described as K.I.S.S.P.: Keep It Simple, Stupid Politicians.
Friedman positioned himself as an outsider to incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry, Democrat Chris Bell and Carole Keeton Strayhorn, an independent who is the state comptroller. Those three have a combined 89 years of political experience, Friedman said.
"A politician is thinking about the next election," Friedman said. "A statesman is thinking about the next generation. Get the money changers out of the temples. Get the politicians out of Texas."
Friedman repeated ideas he discussed Wednesday in Houston, including beefing up security by increasing the number of National Guard troops at the Texas-Mexico border from 1,500 TO 10,000. He also wants to give Houston $100 million to address rising crime.
Friedman complained about the budget surplus in Austin, saying he would use it to strengthen the state park system and improve social services.
"These areas have been so gutted by this governor that I don't think any policy I would create could hurt them any worse," he said.
Excuse me. Wasn't the lottery going to lower our taxes and make our schools rich? What happened to that?
Using that thinking ("people are already doing it") we could add to that list:
- smoke pot
- steal cable TV
- speeding (repeal the speed limit!)
And I'm sure a few others.
The legislature just started to spend more money.
Anoterh good reason to support Kinky, I say.
Governor Kinky ping.
I agree.
I tell you what. This race is a mess.
Well not on our state parks. Who wants to go to a casino in Texas any way? Part of the fun is getting away IMO.
Politics is messy. Thank God for that. Sorts out the wheat from the chaff.
No
He has a point. If you sit down at a table in La. , 89% are from Texas.
More Kinky crap.
Vote for Perry. "He stinks, but he's the best we got."
No thanks.
No
""Legalizing casino gambling is very popular in Texas, and I think most people want it."
Not this Texan..keep it out of here. We dont need these money suckers...this aint La. or Ms. here. They can have the riff raff of gambling....not here in Tx. Kinky is right on the borders but wrong on this one.
I dont' believe enough people are taking this guy seriously enough to affect the race. On the question of sending the Texas National Guard to the border, I would like to point out Texas also has its own Army that cannot be Federalized. Those troops are the Texas State Guard, all volunteers, all unpaid (they even supply their own weapons, ammo, and uniforms). The State Guard drills at National Guard Armories when the Guard isn't there and is tasked with backing up law enforcement during emergencies. The State Guard has served during numerous hurricanes and other state-wide disasters and has received many commendations. See their website under Texas State Guard......
This GOPer is voting for a Kinky governor to run Texas.
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