No Slots at the Mall

I am not politically savvy. However, this Halloween, I have to post about the posturing and masquerading of big business and the lobbyists over a big issue here in Anne Arundel County, MD.

Big business and the teachers and police unions are pushing the opportunity to have slot machines installed at Arundel Mills Mall. There are signs everywhere talking about increased jobs and revenue as a result. It's despicable, really. Let's promote a questionable activity that we would not allow our kids to participate in and use it to support our kids. Blood money!

Are we that desperate for money and jobs that we would use any means necessary?
Come on! Let's put the gambling where the gambling already exists - the Laurel racetrack. (If if were me, I'd vote to not have gambling, but that is just a personal, moral issue with me.)

Big business is not exactly being truthful with all this increase in jobs and revenue. More of it is going to end up in their pockets, and whatever is distributed to schools will be distributed across the state.

Are the lobbyists worried? I think so! They continue to cloud the issues and mention all the perceived benefits while ignoring the real issues of traffic, mall access and displaced jobs elsewhere. Not to mention the moral implication of providing money for our children with an activity that causes many participants to lose their savings and encourage indebtedness.

Being a fair person, I'll let you decide for yourself. Compare No Slots At the Mall and Vote for Question A. The No Slots site is much easier to navigate and really gets to the issues at hand. The Vote For site provides a lot of text, but hides under the banner of "More Jobs and Revenue".

Check out this op-editorial in the Baltimore Sun.

Frugal Find: Free Taster's Choice Coffee

Folks that know me know that I love free. So, I registered for my free coffee sample of all 6 varieties of Taster's Choice coffee individual instant coffee packets. Positioned to be a wallet friendly competitor to the Starbuck's VIA, I figured it's worth a shot.

Want your free sample? Just register at www.tasterschoice.com/thesmartchoice

I've had the VIA and it's pretty good. As soon as I get my samples, I'll post my opinion here...

Enjoy!

Frugal Families: Saving Money with School Lunches and Snacks

Check out my latest post for Chesapeake Family....
Frugal Families: Saving Money with School Lunches and Snacks

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