| I say Clyde Barrow, Professor from UMASS Dartmouth. Should we blame him for this entire plan? I think so. Just look at what one of his studies suggested, just more than a month ago: Professor Barrow, of UMASS Dartmouth, has come out with a study that suggests Massachusetts would be best served - in generating income revenue - by allowing three casinos in the state, two of which would be operated by native tribes. The study was initially reported on, and probably released, in early August. I reported on it at my website on the 7th. In it, he ignores the fact that much of the money generated by casinos will only have been redistributed from other sectors and areas of the Massachusetts economy. People's pocketbooks are a net-sum game; spending money at the casino's shops, bars, clubs and entertainment, leaves a whole lot less to spend at your local shops, bars and entertainment - especially when 20% of casino's revenue come from people who are either addicts or pretty close to it. That's why casinos lead to massive guttings of local economies, which Barrow's study also convientantly ignored. A little more South Coast/UMASS Dartmouth context below - including *good* casino advice from one of the Professors at UMASS Dartmouth whom I had far more respect for. |
It shouldn't be a shock: the forces that be in the South Coast really, really want a casino. It's the poorest part of the state and they'll take anything. No one should be surprised that UMASS Dartmouth has a casino hack "expert" who can lend such great advice to our Governor. From being at UMASS Dartmouth for the most recent years of my life, I know enough about Clyde Barrow to know that his studies and ideas are flawed. If people want the advice of a professor from UMASS Dartmouth that truly deserves respect - I suggest the advice of Professor John Carroll, the former head of the Political Science Department and State Politics expert: let's use this threat of casinos and knock on Connecticutt and Rhode Island's doors. They don't want us to build any of them, never mind three (including bigger and better ones). They'll pay us not to build them. If people want casino money that isn't mainly redistributed from other sectors of Massachusetts, that's one brilliant way of getting it - and keeping our character and local economies intact. |
