Legalize Victimless Crimes #2: Gambling

Before I start, let me make clear: I have gambled probably a few dozen times. I have never gambled more than five dollars at a time, if I recall correctly. I have played nickel slots in Vegas, quarter slots at an Indian Reservation Casino, and have bought lottery tickets for $1.00. But that's it.

I'm sick of the police being wasted and my tax dollars being wasted and the courts being tied up to prosecute victimless crimes. Besides, are we or are we not supposed to be the freest nation on the planet. Well, we're not, and I'm sick of that too.

Why legislate against gambling? Legalize it. Period.

Nevada has legalized it. Last time I was there it wasn't exactly a cesspool of crime and degredation. I mean, Detroit is far worse....In fact, there are quite a few cities who have higher crime rates than Las Vegas. Detroit, Amarillo, Lubbock, Stockton, Albuquerque, Miami, even that obvious cesspool of iniquity, Brunswick, Georgia.

But still. The government lets you buy lottery tickets. Hello? Why should the government get to engage in the gambling industry and everyone else can't? When did it get to be a government monopoly? There's off track betting too in most states. What's the difference between betting on greyhounds or horses and with betting on a roulette wheel?

Heck, the Native American reservations have casinos. Are they cesspools? No, most Reservations have actually improved thanks to the additional revenue.

Speaking of that, Nevada has very low taxation. And other nations that have legal gambling, like Britain or France, are not exactly known as total de-evolved uncivilized cesspools.Thanks to the legalized gambling...So I say like drugs, legalize it. Everywhere. Who cares?

But gambling can be addictive.
Yes, but we don't outlaw something because it is addictive. Many things are addictive, including drugs, alcohol, chocolate, shoes for women, sex, religion, and blogging (especially by demented self-important Texans).

What about kids gambling?
Well, like drugs and alcohol, no one under 18.

If we allow gambling, it will hurt the poor most and people will be wiped out.
Actually, it will hurt the STUPID more than the poor. Right now, you have the ability to blow your paycheck on lottery tickets, jewelry, the stock market, shoes, or any other number of asinine purchases. Clearly, gambling is not the issue here. Fiscally irresponsible people are fiscally irresponsible, no matter whether you legalize gambling or not.

Again, I don't want my tax dollars going for this. I don't want criminals to make money off of stupid laws, and I don't want police to take the time to bust up illegal poker games (because we know they are obviously a danger to the Republic).

And also, like legalizing drugs, legalizing gambling is a nice way to free up police to actually, you know, stop crime. And raise tax revenues. Another win-win situation which also is not addressed by any politicians.