"A statesman is thinking about the next generation. Get the money changers out of the temples. Get the politicians out of Texas.": Amen, Brother Kinky

Posted on Thu, Sep. 07, 2006

Friedman urges legalization of Texas casinos
JEFF CARLTON
Associated Press
DALLAS - Legalizing casinos in Texas makes sense because residents already drive to nearby states or fly to Las Vegas to gamble, independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman said Thursday.
"This is common sense," Friedman said. "It's crazy to have Louisiana gamblers mad at Oklahoma for taking away their Texans."
Friedman, a musician, author and humorist, said he recently returned from a "fact-finding mission" in Las Vegas and estimated that half the people he met there were from Texas. Texans are also responsible, Friedman said, for transforming the regional gambling hot spot of Tunica, Miss., from the "poorest little town in Mississippi to the richest little town in Mississippi."
Legal casino gambling in Texas would generate between $6 billion and $8 billion annually for the state, he said. That money would improve public schools and lower property taxes, which Friedman described as "obscene and outrageous."
"We would bring the money back home," Friedman said. "Legalizing casino gambling is very popular in Texas and I think most people want it."
The issue is a mixed bag among Friedman's major opponents in the crowded race for governor.
Republican Gov. Rick Perry opposes legalizing casinos. He proposed video lottery terminals at race tracks two years ago but the Legislature voted the measure down, his campaign spokesman said.
"To expect this Legislature to take an even larger step beyond video lottery players and to go on to full-blown casino gambling is completely unrealistic," spokesman Robert Black said.
Democratic candidate Chris Bell is not opposed to casinos but does not see them as a long-term solution to the state's education problems, according to his campaign.
"No one should try to mislead people into thinking this is any kind of silver bullet for school funding," campaign spokesman Jason Stanford said. "This is what they tried us to tell us for the lottery. Try to find someone in Texas who believes the lottery has solved education funding."
Carole Keeton Strayhorn, the state comptroller who is running as an independent, was an early advocate of the video lottery terminals but prefers to let voters decide when it comes to casinos, her campaign spokesman said.
"If voters want to place it on the ballot and voters pass it, that is fine with her," Mark Sanders said. "She just wants the people to have a say in the issue."
Friedman's comments on gambling were part of an overall political message he described as K.I.S.S.P.: Keep It Simple, Stupid Politicians.
Friedman positioned himself as an outsider compared to his opponents in the governor's race. His three major opponents have a combined 89 years of political experience, Friedman said.
"A politician is thinking about the next election," Friedman said. "A statesman is thinking about the next generation. Get the money changers out of the temples. Get the politicians out of Texas."
Friedman repeated ideas he discussed Wednesday in Houston, including beefing up security by increasing the number of National Guard troops at the Texas-Mexico border from 1,500 to 10,000. He also wants to give Houston $100 million to address rising crime.
Friedman complained about the budget surplus in Austin, saying he would use it to strengthen the state park system and improve social services.
"These areas have been so gutted by this governor that I don't think any policy I would create could hurt them any worse," he said.
source: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15462518.htm