To be a poor man in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships. - W.E.B. Du Bois
This week Dave and I had the opportunity to vacation for a few days at the Miccosukee Resort located in the Everglades but close to Miami. We had a fine time and are grateful to our trip planners and those who took such excellent care of us.
The Miccosukees originated from the Creek Nation. The Creek Nation was here prior to Columbus. We all know this country was theirs first. So we owe them.
In 1988 Congress formally recognized the right of Native Americans to conduct gaming operations. It's been a major catalyst for community growth and economic development.
Dave and I and the other folks in our group enjoyed four days and three nights of great food and drinks, lovely accommodations and various gaming opportunities (although, other than our free 25 dollar vouchers I don't know of anybody in our group who partook of the gaming.) All this came at an amazingly low price.
Of course, they offer this to seniors, and other groups, to get some of us into the casinos. We understand that.
So it's all good. Right? Right?
Well, here's the other side: Less than one percent of the country (2 million people) are Native Americans. They've always been the poorest of the poor in our country. Even though we all know they were here first and we white folks have never done well by them.
The impact of gambling has been monumental in terms of wealth building, but, as a group, Native Americans are still poor. And alcoholism is still pervasive. Fully 11 percent of deaths are alcohol related.
When we wondered around this massive casino, covering what seemed like acres of gaming, the vast majority of those doing the gambling did not look like folks who could afford to lose much.
Some folks call gambling the poor man's retirement plan.
Of course, everything in the casino is designed to keep people gambling. You can smoke, drink, eat and use an ATM without leaving your seat. And, no matter where you are, there's a restroom close by.
Years ago, I worked hard to keep casino gambling and the lottery out of Florida. We did this for one reason. It oppresses the poor. 2.6 million people in this country are addicted to gambling. Most of them have lost everything, and then some.
***
This week Dave and I had the opportunity to vacation for a few days at the Miccosukee Resort located in the Everglades but close to Miami. We had a fine time and are grateful to our trip planners and those who took such excellent care of us.
In 1988 Congress formally recognized the right of Native Americans to conduct gaming operations. It's been a major catalyst for community growth and economic development.
Dave and I and the other folks in our group enjoyed four days and three nights of great food and drinks, lovely accommodations and various gaming opportunities (although, other than our free 25 dollar vouchers I don't know of anybody in our group who partook of the gaming.) All this came at an amazingly low price.
Of course, they offer this to seniors, and other groups, to get some of us into the casinos. We understand that.
So it's all good. Right? Right?
Well, here's the other side: Less than one percent of the country (2 million people) are Native Americans. They've always been the poorest of the poor in our country. Even though we all know they were here first and we white folks have never done well by them.
The impact of gambling has been monumental in terms of wealth building, but, as a group, Native Americans are still poor. And alcoholism is still pervasive. Fully 11 percent of deaths are alcohol related.
When we wondered around this massive casino, covering what seemed like acres of gaming, the vast majority of those doing the gambling did not look like folks who could afford to lose much.
Some folks call gambling the poor man's retirement plan.
Of course, everything in the casino is designed to keep people gambling. You can smoke, drink, eat and use an ATM without leaving your seat. And, no matter where you are, there's a restroom close by.
Years ago, I worked hard to keep casino gambling and the lottery out of Florida. We did this for one reason. It oppresses the poor. 2.6 million people in this country are addicted to gambling. Most of them have lost everything, and then some.
***
