Yeah, We've Got Another Casino!

[jdmidwest]

Yep. It is the 47% that carries this country. Since I get a refund on my taxes, due to the government saying I over paid I am one of the 47% too according to Mitt. I bet if Mitt paid the same rate as I do, he would get a refund too. But he does the patriotic thing and hides it overseas.

You are only in the 47 percent if you get back more than you pay in. Just because you get a refund does not mean you did not pay taxes for the year, it just means you let the government hold your money in a no interest bearing account till you file the paperwork necessary to get it back. Next year, adjust your withholding and you will not have your problem.

The 47 percent are the ones on government subsidies that all the rest of the tax payers, ie the ones that pay in either with with holdings or quarterly payments, have to carry the burden of.

[Buzz]

I'm really interested in the crime you guys are talking about........ I live within 25 miles of 2 Indian casinos and there are more than I can count within 45 miles from us. I have never heard of any crimes committed that have been traced back to the casinos.

If you haven't seen or been to any of the Oklahoma casinos you would probably think they would be nothing more than metal barns. Not any more. These casinos are on par with some of the casinos you might find in downtown Las Vegas. The entertainment that they bring in is something that we have never had and I'm thankful for it. So next time you are heading down I-44 into Oklahoma stop in and see for yourself. These are some classy establishments. They contribute a bunch of money to the surrounding communities and supply good paying jobs with great benefits.

They don't get much of my money, but they are a welcome getaway if I decide to have an evening out with my wife and blow a few bucks.

47%??? Really JD?

[jdmidwest]

47 percent of the United States does not pay income taxes according to government reports. They still contribute by way of sales tax and gaming commissions, liquor and tobacco taxes, fuel taxes but not in Federal Income Tax. They get back more than they contribute with EIC and Child Deductions. They seem to loath and vote against the ones that do contribute to the Federal Income Tax. But the burden of the taxes are really carried by the upper percentage of wage earners and the middle class. Then there are the retired ones that do not pay income taxes any longer but did in their lifetime. They seem to worry and vote against anyone that may mention Social Security and Medicaid Reform. The 47 percent has been around longer than Mitt Romney has been running for POTUS and many have brought it up. His statement was merely stating a fact that that group will not be convinced that a Fiscal Conservative may ever help them to lead a better life. So why target them in a campaign?

As far as crime, when the one came into Caruthersville, several retail shops I visited on a regular basis reported increased breakins and night time robberies. They added bars to the windows, beefed up security, and cut back on inventory to curtail losses. Of course, they were outdoor businesses that specialized in guns. Don't really know what goes on in OK, never been there. This is a classy establishment too, but nothing of interest for me that I can see. If I want to gamble some cash, I will try some new sporting gear to see if it lives up to its fame. At least I will have something tangible for my efforts.

[joeD]

Name one city in the United States (not Vegas) that a casino has had a positive effect.

.

[moguy1973]

Name one city in the United States (not Vegas) that a casino has had a positive effect.

.

Maryland heights Missouri for one. They have highly rated schools and one of the best fire departments in St. Louis.

[Chief Grey Bear]

You are only in the 47 percent if you get back more than you pay in.

Do you have a link to the actual report and not some right-wing site??

Name one city in the United States (not Vegas) that a casino has had a positive effect.

How about whole areas? All of SWMO, NEO, SEK. Thousands are employed in this area due soley to casinos.

I'm really interested in the crime you guys are talking about........ ?

No time for crime....everyone is busy working.

[Jack Jones]

Hey Buzz, you may be right. To be fair, I haven't been to Downstream yet, or to the Hard Rock near Tulsa. I hear that Downstream is nice and I've checked their calendar for concerts. It's good to see acts so close. Had Taney County and Branson wised up, we'd be reaping those benefits. Sadly, Missouri is willing to let their money go to their border states instead.

Also, let's not forget that many of these casinos have been an economic salvation for many Native American tribes. Call it a bit of well deserved reparations.

[Buzz]

Hey Buzz, you may be right. To be fair, I haven't been to Downstream yet, or to the Hard Rock near Tulsa. I hear that Downstream is nice and I've checked their calendar for concerts. It's good to see acts so close. Had Taney County and Branson wised up, we'd be reaping those benefits. Sadly, Missouri is willing to let their money go to their border states instead.

Also, let's not forget that many of these casinos have been an economic salvation for many Native American tribes. Call it a bit of well deserved reparations.

Jack, Downstream is an awesome casino in every way. The concerts they had this year alone was over the top. My wife and I saw Boston last month. Man what a show. I can't even remember all of the classic rock bands that were there, not to mention the country artists. Downstream is still giving portions of the concert revenue to help Joplin's tornado recovery efforts. Buffalo Run in Miami OK is another really nice casino that has a lot of shows throughout the year.These establishments are top notch as far as I'm concerned and have helped the surrounding area immensley.

BTW. One of the biggest reason the casino was voted down in the Branson area was the fear of the crime that would follow it.

[ness]

Jack, Downstream is an awesome casino in every way. The concerts they had this year alone was over the top. My wife and I saw Boston last month. Man what a show. I can't even remember all of the classic rock bands that were there, not to mention the country artists. Downstream is still giving portions of the concert revenue to help Joplin's tornado recovery efforts. Buffalo Run in Miami OK is another really nice casino that has a lot of shows throughout the year.These establishments are top notch as far as I'm concerned and have helped the surrounding area immensley.

BTW. One of the biggest reason the casino was voted down in the Branson area was the fear of the crime that would follow it.

I should study up on this.

I said earlier that it's a zero sum game, and I still do believe it is to a large extent. Money spent there is not spent elsewhere, but there is no doubt the jobs created boost the local economy. If that somehow gets folks off the government 'teet' (as dad used to say) that's a good thing. I think it comes at the expense of somewhere else though -- that's just the way stuff works.

I don't think crime is a real factor anymore. That's mostly the reputation from the old days when the mobsters were so involved. Sure, some granny will gamble away her Social Security check and have to resort to armed violence, but that's probably the exception to the rule. If she's foolish enough to try that in JD's neighborhood -- well, we know how that'll go down.

I suppose my fundamental issue is that there's the 'something for nothing' mentality at the core of this. The time and money spent on all this could be spent so much more effectively on other things. You know -- good old hard work and smart work.

I don't gamble at casinos, because I know the odds are stacked against me. And, I recognize the way the casinos pay for all their glitz and glamor is on the suckers that think they'll be 'the one'. I know that for every big winner you hear about, there are many times that many that lost (and they tend to keep to themselves). Some lost more than they can afford, but most just pissed away some money for the excitement. I just get mine elsewhere.

[jdmidwest]

Do you have a link to the actual report and not some right-wing site??

Here is one from a conservative site, the Clinton Brodcast System, aka CBS. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57515033-503544/fact-checking-romneys-47-percent-comment/

He rounded up, actually 46.4 percent. 47 just sounds more impressive.