Bellyaching 8/09

Did anyone find it ironic that Governor O'Malley was bellyaching last week about the lengthy delays over implementing a slots program in Maryland?

Isn't this the same O'Malley who in 2003 called slot machine gambling "morally bankrupt"?  ("O'Malley called slots 'morally bankrupt' when Ehrlich proposed using them to finance education initiatives and balance the state's budget." Baltimore Sun, May 6, 2005).

Isn't this the same O'Malley who lobbied Baltimore City legislators and House Democrats to defeat any expansion of slot machine gaming in the state during the entire four years that it was proposed by legislators and the administration during Governor Ehrlich's term of office?

Isn't this the same O'Malley that as a result of his advocacy against slots now presides over a state where, instead of a vibrant racing industry, Maryland is left with a standard-bred racing program (Rosecroft and Ocean Downs) that is basically defunct and the major thorough-bred tracks (Pimlico and Laurel) in bankruptcy court?

The ripple effect of a deteriorating racing industry over the last six years has been felt by breeders, suppliers, feed mills and other agricultural enterprises that support the horse industry and preserve farmland.  Major horse farms continue to leave the state for greener pastures not to mention the higher purses at modern racetrack facilities in neighbouring states.

So after less than nine months of deliberations by the Video Lottery Facility Location Commission, Governor O'Malley is bellyaching about delays?

The real bellyaching should be from horse breeders, farmers and taxpayers about the gall of O'Malley to complain about delays when he orchestrated the failure of a gaming bill six years ago - all for the benefit of his own political ambitions.