Sin Taxes and the Collateral Damage

I sit in on some of my 7th grade classrooms to listen to their persuasive speeches.  I do this each year just to watch my students exercise a valuable life skill, to stand in front of others and defend a position that they care about.  The topics were what I would call typical for 7th graders,  Don't bully, don't smoke, etc.  One student did a topic that has real traction in this state and country.  He was persuading his classmates that marijuana should be legal.  This is not a new debate to those who follow state government, but he was especially passionate about it.

Central to the argument was that government could profit from the recreational sale of marijuana and farmers could benefit from the cash crop.  It is very hard to disagree with that.What I can disagree with is that the trend over the past few years to is to expand all the things that hurt or further impoverish our citizens that need us most. We have expanded gambling in this state and we have now legalized weed for recreational purposes.

Think about all the vices we have as a country.  Some can handle the recreational approach to gambling, drinking and so on.  Many cannot and become addicted.  This does not only have an immediate impact on them individually, but also their families and friends.  When we turn to get rich schemes with public policy, these folks are the collateral damage.  I understand that 60% of Illinoisans want this, but we have also been conditioned to understand our financial woes as a state.  We would welcome any kind of relief.  Even if it means at the risk of hurting more of our citizens.  If we were secure financially, would this be a discussion?  I'm not sure.

Gambling expansion seems to be another way out of financial crisis for the state.  Another addictive behavior that is becoming popular for revenue.  Don't get me wrong, my school has benefited form the way West Frankfort has used their gaming terminal revenues.  They have supported the needs of school groups and the development of programs for the city's kids.  The new money is a blessing for people that can benefit from it.  How many local communities are using the revenue responsibly?

My challenge to Illinois is that if we continue to balance our budget off of "sin" taxes, support those lives that are wrecked to make that money.  A recent article in the Southern Illinoisan detailed the state's record on the lack of support for gambling addiction and that they do not track the number of gambling addicts in the state.  This is shameful and irresponsible.  It gives the impression that this is purely a money grab and they the needs of vulnerable Illinoisans are not considered.  Step up Illinois, if you plan to balance the budget this way.