Proposition A -- Mike Smythe's Viewpoint

This is a transcript of KFVS12 General Manager Mike Smythe's Viewpoint segment that will air Sunday, provided to seMissourian.com as a guest column.

Anyone who watches this segment on a regular basis knows that I spent a number of my earlier years teaching high school.  I support teachers and schools.  Now that I am clear on that subject I hope you will vote NO on Proposition A in Missouri on Tuesday.  This is my ViewPoint, not necessarily that of KFVS12. 

Prop A is bought and paid for by casinos for casinos.  Get this, the casinos dumped more than $15 million dollars in advertising, wrapping it around "support the schools," when it is all about gambling and protecting their interests.  The big gaming houses want to limit the number of casinos to the 13 already built or under construction.   They want to get rid of the $500 loss limit and identification laws.  The old guy on the television commercial misleads when he says it is about money for our schools.  It's all about gambling regulations and revenue.  Hey, if you want to soft sell something on television use kids and dogs.  It's an old trick.  This time they use an old guy who says it is all about the schools and children.  Are you kidding me?  No new casino licenses give them a monopoly.  So how can we sugar coat it so we can control Missouri gambling?  Let's use schools and children.  If the casinos get their way with no new licenses you are stopping Missouri jobs, investments, and tourism. 

I admit I am not much of a gambler but this $15 million dollar advertising investment by the casinos is shameless in their efforts to use children and our schools.  The opposition to Proposition A has no money and you can bet the casinos are using loaded dice to get this passed.  They stand to win big on Tuesday.  Let's get out and vote NO on this stacked deck favoring the casino initiative.