> is that casino style gambling destroys the
> "family tourism"that a tourist RR
> or museum relies on. The only folks who come
> out are the casinos; local restaraunts don't
> make any more because everybody eats in the
> casino, local attractions don't come out
> because gambling is a very "event
> spacific" activity. Gamblers go to
> gamble, and do nothing else. Even if they
> wanted to see the sights, and take in a
> tourist road or museum, if they have
> substantial casino wins, they wanna go home
> to keep them, if losses, they're mad and
> wanna go home cause they're broke. Non
> gambers just aren't interested in being
> anywhere near it.

To bad these simple facts can't be explained to "Fast Eddie" Rendell. Somewhere along the way, he and members of both parties in the legislature have got the idea that this is the Commonwealth's salvation.



superheater@rrmail.com

> To bad these simple facts can't be explained
> to "Fast Eddie" Rendell. Somewhere
> along the way, he and members of both
> parties in the legislature have got the idea
> that this is the Commonwealth's salvation.
Got that right! OOPS- politics! Gonna get this thread deleated...

bas1210@comcast.net

Isn't the real issue how the tax money from gambling is used, whether it's state run lotteries or taxes on casinos? If the money is used to support railway preservation or other historical preservation endeavors then is it all that bad? In many ways this is just income tax on idiots who wouldn't contribute to historical preservation in any other way. It's up to us to convince our governments that more money derived from gambling should go to preserving history. If we don't speak up most of this money will continue to go to sports and the arts.

mike211@yknet.ca

Again, the leaders of rail preservation, the Brits, are an example. England has a heritage treasure chast funded by a lottery.

There are many hot fireboxes becuase of this fund.

> Isn't the real issue how the tax money from
> gambling is used, whether it's state run
> lotteries or taxes on casinos? If the money
> is used to support railway preservation or
> other historical preservation endeavors then
> is it all that bad? In many ways this is
> just income tax on idiots who wouldn't
> contribute to historical preservation in any
> other way. It's up to us to convince our
> governments that more money derived from
> gambling should go to preserving history. If
> we don't speak up most of this money will
> continue to go to sports and the arts.


trains@robertjohndavis.com

> If the money is used to support railway
> preservation or other historical preservation
> endeavors then is it all that bad? In many ways > this is just income tax on idiots who wouldn't
> contribute to historical preservation in any
> other way. It's up to us to convince our
> governments that more money derived from
> gambling should go to preserving history. If
> we don't speak up most of this money will
> continue to go to sports and the arts.

You aren't suggesting the ends justify the means are you?

As a government employee, working in a "fiscal area", I must tell you we have a great many problems because taxes are increasingly designed to be deceptive, to obtain support from the unwilling.



superheater@rrmail.com

> You aren't suggesting the ends justify the
> means are you?

Generally no, but in this specifc case yes.

> As a government employee, working in a
> "fiscal area", I must tell you we
> have a great many problems because taxes are
> increasingly designed to be deceptive, to
> obtain support from the unwilling.

Gamblers are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. Who cares if we fleece money from these idiots to finance more important endeavors like railway preservation?


mike211@yknet.ca

> Generally no, but in this specifc case yes.

> Gamblers are not the sharpest knives in the
> drawer. Who cares if we fleece money from
> these idiots to finance more important
> endeavors like railway preservation?

AMEN BROTHER !!!!

Thr Real "Real issue" is that gambling is not a
value added industry. It is a skimmimg operation that takes the cream off the local economy. If you
doubt this, talk to the merchants in and near the
cities that have casinos.
In one instance, a Department Manager in a large
chain store told me that the day the Indians opened a Casino on a nearby reservation, their
sales totals dropped and have never recovered.

A little gambling, for persons who can afford the loss, is fun. It's great to face the challenge
and see if you can beat the game. Unfortunately , too many who gamble really can't afford the losses.
The Casino adds don't show the wife who has lost the grocery money crying in the rest room. The ads
only show the winners whooping it up at the tables.
Jim

> Isn't the real issue how the tax money from
> gambling is used, whether it's state run
> lotteries or taxes on casinos? If the money
> is used to support railway preservation or
> other historical preservation endeavors then
> is it all that bad? In many ways this is
> just income tax on idiots who wouldn't
> contribute to historical preservation in any
> other way. It's up to us to convince our
> governments that more money derived from
> gambling should go to preserving history. If
> we don't speak up most of this money will
> continue to go to sports and the arts.


rrfanjim@charter.net

> Generally no, but in this specifc case yes.

> Gamblers are not the sharpest knives in the
> drawer. Who cares if we fleece money from
> these idiots to finance more important
> endeavors like railway preservation?

Beyond the morals or ethics of the situation, of regarding a portion of the citizenry as bereft any of any dignity or value outside their ability to finance our interests, (OK HAPPENS EVERY DAY) it isn't going to happen.

Gambling produces conspicuous tax revenues but the social pathologies that attach to it are part of "society" and inconspicous. Anybody familiar with Antlantic City knows a few blocks away from the glitz is the same problems that existed before the casinoes. There's more drugs, more hookers but you don't have clear cause and effect. Brass fixtures and coins ringing government coffers, on the other hand are very easy to see.

There are too many established, active, alert and connected groups who will be ready to make use of the proceeds. Long before our tiny lobby is noticed the AARP, NEA and other groups will have pounced on the new booty like squirrels on the last peanut on earth-armed with slick lobbyists and tall tales of ways to better the human condition and the destitute among us.

Secondly, the long term interest of preservation would served by best by the following methods of funding (or a combination)

1.) General Tax Revenues -This of course assumes the general population doesn't mind being "fleeced".

2.) Better profitability-This assumes a dynamic business model which entertains as it educates can be adopted withot ruffling feathers and obtaining the necessary management skills.

3.) Attracting more Foundation money-This assumes we as a group develop better grantseeking skills.

In short, in the near term, volunteer efforts are the lifeline for railroad preservation.


superheater@rrmail.com

The Dubois County RR (freight operated by IRM) received at least that amount this year in TE funds for track rehab, this may be what you heard about.

Aside from the goofy comments about gambling, keep in mind that gambling built the two famous resort hotels in French Lick / West Baden in the first place!! In fact you could say that gambling is historically accurate for French Lick.

Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana has worked very, very hard to restore and stabilize the palace known as the West Baden Springs Hotel. It was nearly lost. Gambling will likely provide the people needed to get it back into operation as a hotel again. The two old hotels are worth the trip on their own, IRM and the new "riverboat" casino aren't the only destinations there.

JK

jameskissinger@hotmail.com