Letter to the Editor: Say No to Pari-Mutuel Wagering
More gambling not needed in Georgia.
Dear Editor,
This alert comes with a warning of an upcoming issue we will be facing in our state. The following link will explain more fully my great concern that we are moving closer to having to deal with the issue of expanded gambling in our state.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/displaybill.aspx?BillType=HR&billNum=643
On the 40th and last day of the General Assembly session, April 14, 2011, at 7:36 p.m., the members of the House of Representatives were asked to vote on a list of uncontested resolutions. There were eight resolutions voted on as a group. The vote totals were: Yea 157, Nay 7, Not Voting 13, and Excused 3.
In that group of eight uncontested resolutions (which was the 365th vote of the 40-day session) was HR 643. When this batch of resolutions passed, it authorized the Speaker of the House to appoint a “House Study Committee on the Horse Racing Industry; and for other purposes,” to report and publish their findings and recommendations which may include suggestions for proposed legislation no later than December 31, 2011, at which time the committee will be abolished.
I see this as a serious attempt to bring pari-mutuel wagering at horse tracks into our state. Now is the time to contact your representative and senator to let them know we do not need or want expanded gambling in Georgia.
We know from across the country today that horse racing tracks must have casinos attached to them to make them show a profit. We oppose pari-mutuel wagering of any type and also oppose the establishment of casinos in Georgia.
The time for our voice to be heard on this issue is now. Contact your senator and representative on this issue. They can be found by going to www.legis.ga.gov
Thank you for being a partner with us as we stand for the moral right.
Ray Newman, State Missionary
Specialist Ethics and Public Affairs
Georgia Baptist Convention
Paul Armstrong
2:56 pm on Sunday, April 24, 2011
Dear Mr. Newman ,I believe you need to stand off a little bit on your stance about gambling.One question will answer this for you and many that believe as you.Do you have any monies in the stock market at all?If the answer is yes then back down.Our Gov. only wants control of our choices so they can retain power and dollars.They are here for one reason only ,To protect us from our enemies here and abroad! Really think hard about it, they are growing like a cancer taking away our freedom of choice one piece at a time If a may insert one more thing, I am a Christian also, but my belief is that God will judge me for my choices not what the devil throws in front of me. Be really carefull when YOU get in their way that might start banning the practice of worship Please Think About It Peace to you,Paul Armstrong
Edwin Gravitt
3:18 pm on Sunday, April 24, 2011
Paul, I could not agree with you more. I am also a born again Christian and consider Reverend Ray Newman to be a long time cherished friend. But, as the founding fathers of our country believed that if no physical harm is done there is NO crime. I think it is well passed the time for loving Christians to start letting God be the judge and stay out of the crime prevention game. It just aint working. Thanks for your comment my Brother in Christ.
Ray Newman
9:59 am on Monday, April 25, 2011
Thanks for the comments. I have no investments in stocks. To compare the risk in life and stock market to the issue of gambling does not connect. I have been taking the stand against what I see as moral issues a long time and have no plans to stand off. Keep reading the Dacula Patch
Paul Armstrong
8:39 pm on Monday, April 25, 2011
Mr. Newman,Maybe I was a little off or misunderstood with my comments,but I have two different close friends who almost lost everything in the stock market.I really feel they were gambling with their future and their families livelyhood.They are both dead now ,one to suicide the other to liver cancer 2 months ago,their families have nothing now.My point was we as humans were given by God the ability to make choices good and bad, trying to legislate morality with a Gov. that truely has no morals is wrong.Our Gov. has no business deciding what choices we decide on in our lives.Standing against moral issues is indeed noble and very,very needed ,but asking our Gov to back you is like asking the devil to do the same.None of this is really about gambling,is it? You want things the way you see them and I the way I see them,sad thing we never will win,will we? Yes indeed, if just one person reads our remarks and THINKS! not all is in vain. Thanks, Paul
Ray Newman
7:06 am on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Government has always been in the morality area. I believe in small government, and very little intrustion into the citizen's life. We are stuck with what we have. I did not pick the playing field I stand and fight on the field I have. In an ideal world, which we do not have, we would not be having this conversation. Government would be off our back and we would be allowed to live making correct choices, not so or possible in the world we have now. So, then we are having a conversation about government, and morals. The government decision is to regulate gambling, booze, smoking, etc all of which have a moral issue related to them. It is at that level that I speak to the regulators and seek to bring upon them information that will cause them to make decisions that fit the situation. I did not say I like that process, it is the only one we have at the time.
Paul Armstrong
7:10 pm on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
You win! so very well put,and really to the point.I think when there is reasoning now I must think some more, good job! God Bless, Paul
Ray Newman
10:11 pm on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thanks for the comments, Paul. I am glad to have you as a reader of Dacula Patch