My thoughts on Maryland's biggest new acts of legislation.
1. Question 4 aka Dream Act
What it is: This bill would provide conditional permanent residency to certain undocumented residents of good moral character who graduate from U.S. high schools, arrived in the United States as minors, and lived in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment. (Wikipedia, unlike annoying teachers I find it quite the reliable source)
What I think: Hells to the yeah! These kids had no choice in coming here and are trying to become productive members of society; the fact that we are giving them a boost is a great step in enhancing Maryland's workforce and keeping people off welfare. Plain and simple.
2. Question 6 aka Maryland's Gay Marriage Bill
What it is: Redefines marriage in Maryland to the union of “any two individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from marrying.”
What I think: I'm against it. My religious views are against gay marriage and I completely believe that marriage should be defined as a union between a man and woman, as it has been for thousands of years until now. Simple biology proves my point. While I'm not particularly ecstatic about it its not that huge of a deal for me. This country is supposedly separated between church and state and is supposedly a democracy. With those two things in mind I don't care too much about the passing of Question 6. In a secular government religion shouldn't dictate laws and if the people vote for it the people vote for it. Simple as that.
3. Question 7 aka Casino in the National Harbor
What it is: Allows a casino to be built in the harbor and allows for all Maryland Casinos to play certain table games. (Poker, blackjack, etc.)
What I think: I hate it. Not because the money won't go where its supposed to, but because I dislike casinos and gambling in general. Gambling is addictive. The reason many Marylanders don't have that addiction is because Delaware, West Virginia and Las Vegas aren't readily accessible places. While I don't endorse it, it isn't nearly as harmful if a guy goes to Vegas for a few days, blows a $100 on Poker or something and has a good time knowing he was going to lose money. Take away the distance factor and now I can drive 20 minutes and get to a vast array of machines that will happily take my money. While proponents of Question 7 preach how it will reinvest Maryland money in Maryland the source of the money has to be taken into account. If this new money is from the pockets of irresponsible gamblers who are ruining their lives by spending paycheck after paycheck on gambling it hurts, rather than helps Maryland. Sure the gamblers could be to blame since they are the ones being irresponsible but the government shouldn't be setting up opportunities for people to ruin themselves, there are enough of them already. Its like communism in the sense you are sacrificing individual concerns for a supposed gain as a state. I don't like it and don't think it is a good thing to happen to Maryland, not to mention how casinos can be nice breeding grounds for crime.
Also I am happy to report congressmen Allen West and Adam Hasner lost their seats in congress. Working for CAIR, the names of racist, islamophobic bigots were driven into my mind as I saw countless acts of discrimination and hate against Muslims. Allen West and Adam Hasner are two big ones. While its probably not the entire reason they lost their seats, its good to see that the majority of voters in this country aren't supportive of racist bigots representing them.
Comments? Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments! And as always, thanks for reading!
3. Question 7 aka Casino in the National Harbor
What it is: Allows a casino to be built in the harbor and allows for all Maryland Casinos to play certain table games. (Poker, blackjack, etc.)
What I think: I hate it. Not because the money won't go where its supposed to, but because I dislike casinos and gambling in general. Gambling is addictive. The reason many Marylanders don't have that addiction is because Delaware, West Virginia and Las Vegas aren't readily accessible places. While I don't endorse it, it isn't nearly as harmful if a guy goes to Vegas for a few days, blows a $100 on Poker or something and has a good time knowing he was going to lose money. Take away the distance factor and now I can drive 20 minutes and get to a vast array of machines that will happily take my money. While proponents of Question 7 preach how it will reinvest Maryland money in Maryland the source of the money has to be taken into account. If this new money is from the pockets of irresponsible gamblers who are ruining their lives by spending paycheck after paycheck on gambling it hurts, rather than helps Maryland. Sure the gamblers could be to blame since they are the ones being irresponsible but the government shouldn't be setting up opportunities for people to ruin themselves, there are enough of them already. Its like communism in the sense you are sacrificing individual concerns for a supposed gain as a state. I don't like it and don't think it is a good thing to happen to Maryland, not to mention how casinos can be nice breeding grounds for crime.
Also I am happy to report congressmen Allen West and Adam Hasner lost their seats in congress. Working for CAIR, the names of racist, islamophobic bigots were driven into my mind as I saw countless acts of discrimination and hate against Muslims. Allen West and Adam Hasner are two big ones. While its probably not the entire reason they lost their seats, its good to see that the majority of voters in this country aren't supportive of racist bigots representing them.
Comments? Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments! And as always, thanks for reading!
Can I add a thing or two to the Question 7 paragraph?
ReplyDelete1. Casinos, such as the one by Arundel Mills, are completely shady, seedy places, that bring nothing but negativity to family friendly places such as malls, restaurants, etc.
2. Despite Lavar Arrington's incredibly annoying commercial where he stands there, with his terrible haircut, holding a football and shouting at the screen, Question 7 money does not automatically go to education. It goes into a trust fund, which can and usually is raided by politicians to spend on other things.