“How Not to Get Rich Quick”

To the Editor,

Do you know anyone who throws money out the window? Not a trick question.

I went for a walk one day and saw 4 pieces of paper strewn along our country road.

I got closer and found that they were (4) $20 scratched-off (losing) lottery tickets. As I

picked them up, the thought occurred to me that someone had (almost literally) tossed

$80 out the window. $80!!

Now answer the question... Do you know anyone who throws money out the

window (AKA in the trash)? Apparently, people do.

This was one person, one purchase, during one visit, to one shop, in one town, in

one state, in one day! Hellooooo! Stand in a convenience store for 10 minutes. This

practice occurs countless times a day by countless numbers of people in countless

locations. Imagine what we (individuals, communities, NYS, our nation) could do with

all that money! I went home and began writing.

A couple of weeks later, about a half mile from the first spot, I found 4 more losing

scratch-offs at $5 each. Wrote some more.

Recently, there is more talk about siting the first 3 of 7 new casinos in NY. I’m

reminded I hadn’t yet finished this article and got at it, realizing that it’s not going to

make me many friends. Can’t help it! I care about people. If just one is spared by this, I

have done my job.

In November, NY voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing up to 7

more Las Vegas-style casinos in the state. About the same time, Governor Cuomo signed

legislation to put up better signs at gambling facilities to notify compulsive gamblers

where to get help because “current signage isn’t effective; …only 1,449 calls were placed

in 2011 although about 1 million New Yorkers have been identified with a gambling

problem.” (http://www.nbcnewyork.com/). Really??

I am a Celebrate Recovery Leader. I’ve been in denial (not about gambling, but

about other things – like the fact that I have no issues). If I were a gambler, I’d be willing

to bet that most compulsive gamblers don’t even see these signs, or if they do, they think

they’re for someone else.

From Governor Cuomo’s office (http://www.governor.ny.gov) on July 30, 2013,

“Destination gaming resorts will be required to develop comprehensive problem

gambling programs, and part of the decision for siting a destination gaming resort will be

determined by” – get this – “the quality of the applicant’s ‘problem gambling program.’”

Really??

So then, New Yorkers, if you want a casino in your town, research its ill effects,

then despite your findings, justify building one anyway and come up with a good

“problem gambling program” to help those who have gotten sucked in by your marketing

schemes.

How warped is that? I’ll fill out that application. Here’s my “problem gambling

program”: Don’t Build! No doubt that application would get rejected, though I think it

would arguably be the most effective.

From the Daily News January 2013 (http://www.nydailynews.com/) - Gov. Cuomo

was proposing “to boost state coffers by adding 780 new locations for Quick Draw lottery

games. This proposal would allow 18-year-olds to play the instant-win game in

restaurants …that currently only allow 21-year-olds to play.” Really??

From gamblingcourt.org in Amherst NY: 40% of all problem gamblers started

gambling before they were 17 years old; the number of teens playing poker for money

has increased by more than 700% in the last two years alone; there is a 75% co-morbidity

rate (the person who is addicted to gambling usually has at least one other addiction as

well); of all the addictions currently recognized, problem gamblers have the highest rate

of suicide.” Addictions are life, family, marriage, and even community, destroyers.

Gambling addiction is no different. Losing is part of the game and can render one who

has put their hope in it (money) hopeless, say nothing about penniless.

If you or a loved one has gotten sucked into the game, please get help. A great place

to start is by attending Celebrate Recovery on Tuesday nights at 6:30 at Hoosick Falls

Community Alliance Church.

So, the question begs, is our government more concerned about money than it is

about people? The answer is evident….

Remember when cigarette machines were everywhere, then health risks associated

with smoking became apparent, so they were placed out of reach; and the bar was raised

in 1984 for the drinking age to 21 from 18 because of the number of teen alcohol related

traffic deaths a year. These are examples of our government responding in a right and

proper way.

It seems that the dangers of gambling are recognized, but instead of legislation with

more restrictions, the opportunities are increasing - for the sake of the almighty dollar

and at the expense of people.

We dangle the proverbial carrot in front of those already sucked in and even

encourage youth to engage at an earlier age knowing the dangers; then back peddle and

try to fix the symptoms with band-aids after the damage has been done. What are we

thinking New York? God is not interested in band-aids. He wants to heal the root of the

problem. 1Timothy 6:10 says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

Proverbs 1:19 says, “Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes

away the life of those who get it.” Even if one were to win at the game – whatever form it

takes; and even if they were to give away their winnings - God’s Word is clear. He

doesn’t honor ill-gotten gain. Gambling shows a lack of trust in Him to meet our needs. It

will come back to bite you/us; and it is.

The thought of using this money to promote job growth and increase aid to schools

in New York is scary to me. It is my deep conviction that some of our state’s financial

woes are the result of God not being pleased with our decision to increase our state’s

coffers through games of chance.

On a separate note, did you hear Governor Cuomo’s statement not long ago that

there is no place in New York State for extreme conservatives, i.e. those who disagree

with his views on certain issues, those who uphold the Word of God, the very foundation

that our nation was founded on? God help us! I digress…

Anyway, one morning last week as I was reading my Bible, something jumped out

at me that I feel a need to challenge us all in. Now that you know how not to get rich,

tune in next week for God’s Get Rich Quick Plan.

Gail Smith

N. Petersburgh, NY