| WBZ reports that lots of bars in Massachusetts have gambling machines that are being run like mini-casinos, cash payouts and all. WBZ's I-Team followed around undercover agents working out of the Treasurer's office (grainy video footage and all) as they played the machines and got handed wads of cash when they won.
Now, these bars obviously should not be running illegal gambling operations. But I enjoyed this part of the story -- I've edited it just a little bit to make a point. (The struck-out text is in the original story; the underlined bits are my additions.)
This isn't just about a small businessman trying to make some extra cash. It's big money.
Investigators say one bar crack house can make $10,000 a week under the table, and they say the slot machine drug suppliers could be tied to something bigger.
Shortsleeve asked Cahill, "Is it primarily orchestrated by organized crime?"
Cahill responded, "We don't know that, but it appears to be, and there usually historically has been."
LEGALIZE SLOT MACHINES DRUGS?
This raid by State agents comes the same week Treasurer Cahill has suggested slot machines drugs should be legalized in this State. Cahill says the problem with illegal gaming drug use is huge. But he reasons if the state regulates it, cities and towns will make millions. And he says the gambler drug user will have a lot better odds quality product while playing shooting up in a safe environment.
No, no, settle down. Tim Cahill is not arguing in favor of legalizing drugs. He is, as we know, arguing in favor of legalizing slot machines. But his argument seems to me indistinguishable from the arguments in favor of legalizing all drugs (not just marijuana). Legalize it, regulate it, and tax it, say the pro-drug-legalization folks -- it's safer for the users, the state gets tax benefits, and you cut out the criminals who at the moment control a very lucrative market.
That is not a crazy argument. But Cahill needs to be aware of the can of worms he appears unwittingly to be opening, and he needs to be ready to explain why his argument on slots doesn't work just as well for drugs. |
