Casinos in NYC

As the mayor's race heats up, we're going to be hearing more and more policy proposals from the various candidates. One idea that's made the most news is by Andrew Yang, this guy who came out of nowhere last year to run for president and is now running for mayor on a plaform of supposedly "big ideas."

Mr. Yang seems like a nice enough man and, as something of a self-made rich guy, I'm sure he's plenty smart but his biggest "big" or "bold" idea seems to be letting casinos operate in NYC -- even on Governor's Island.

This proposal is the kind of embarassing mistake that political amateurs and people who know nothing about government or have any business running for high office make. See, Rudy Giuliani proposed this back in 1998 and it never happened. When the US Government transferred control to NYC, casinos and hotels and businesses of this sort were banned.

Mr Yang and all candidates should really do their homework before running for office and proposing things that are simply not possible. 

Personally, I don't want a casino there on Governor's Island ever. New York City is the world center of commerce but it'd be nice to keep one part of the city -- ironically, a short boat ride away from Wall Street -- as a non-commercial, non-greed centered, non-money making oasis. 

However, there is a big legit debate on whether or not we should have casinos in NYC. The idea of lots of revenue going into the government coffers without needing to raise taxes is tempting but the questions, in my 'umble opinion, that need to be resolved regarding casinos in NYC are: 1) Just how much revenue will it actually generate for the city and what services will this money go to? 2) How will casinos change the character of NYC and impact its citizens, and 3) Do we really want to make NYC another Atlantic City?

This is an issue that won't go away any time soon.