---

All right. Let's revisit this insane idea of gambling in Bermuda. Here's a question I have: "What is the largest legitimate form of gambling permitted and even endorsed by governments?"

The answer is, The Stock Exchange. Yes. This is a legitimate avenue by which investors (educated gamblers) risk money in the hope of making a big return.

Each day they watch the numbers rise and fall, hoping to end the day with stocks having increased in their monetary value. (Have you ever seen them? They look like addicts to me).

Just as these investors risk other people's money, gamblers risk money which has previously been set apart for another use. You know, there are some who gamble away the rent and even their mortgage, hoping to strike it rich through gambling.

Share losses

Again, let's look at The Stock Exchange. As far as I am concerned, what has occurred over the past six months concerning the economy of the U.S. is the best example and reason for gambling not to be allowed in Bermuda.

Have we read about the depression, the suicides, the murders, and the crimes that have resulted from the loss of finances due to the failing performance of Wall Street?

Former President Bush consented to a bailout that resulted in further 'crimes' because the banks basically took care of themselves and not the consumers. Hence, President Obama has released another infusion of money into the economy. This time, the focus is on those 'ordinary' citizens by helping them with their home mortgages.

All of this has happened because of the legalized gambling called The Stock Exchange. In Bermuda, just this past week one of our own banks received an infusion of money. With this news, there were those who ran to the bank to withdraw their money or transfer their money to another bank.

Listen, the fact is that as the economics of any country experiences lack of funds there will be devastating consequences. When people don't have money, their normal actions and reactions are greatly influenced and indeed changed. It is similar to the person addicted to drugs. They are changed because of the drugs and acquiring the substance becomes their central focus.

Debt cause

Bermuda, do we dare imagine what the gambler will do to get his next 'hit' of cash in order to gamble. Bermuda, the chaos and increase in crime we see in Bermuda all began somewhere. It began in a place called 'nothing much' and today it is at a place called 'too much'. In other words, most people gamble because they do not have enough and those same people continue to gamble because they then have too much debt, and take the gamble to 'strike it rich' and cure all of their ills.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

If we allow gambling in one area, it then becomes the rising agent (the yeast) causing an increase in gambling in other areas. Before we know it, every one will have a right to gamble and we will be dealing with the all-out consequences of having allowed gambling here in the first place.

You know what? I don't want gambling here because I care about preventing another distraction that will keep our youth in bondage. Let's be real. Our youth face enough challenges without throwing something else in the mix. How many will we lose to the career of professional gambling? Why do we do these things to ourselves?

Supporting losses

Bermuda, are we prepared to provide help, perhaps a bailout, for those who gamble and lose? Amazing! We do not want our children to gamble with their future and yet we encourage gambling. Oh, if only it were as easy as just saying no. No, it is not that simple. Unfortunately, when people are near or below the poverty line, they would rather gamble with their last penny, than save that penny and add it to the next penny.

While nothing in life is a sure thing, it is surely true that to gamble, with gambling, is a gamble that we cannot afford to take. There will be winners if gambling is brought to the shores of Bermuda.

However, I would 'bet' my bottom dollar that it will not be the average 'Joe'. Yes, some will be laughing to the bank, but you can bank on the fact that it will not be the average 'Joe'. No. The rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.

How sad it will be to know that a labour government allowed a process of destruction to enter in and begin its process of ruining this island for generations to come.

What a horrible legacy to have attached to the record book of any ruling government. Let us pray that commonsense and integrity will be the order of the day and that this government will make the morally, socially, economically, and spiritually correct decision. Respice finem. n[[In-content Ad]]

---