This Year's Wedge

Kentucky Republican candidates have found their wedge issue for this campaign cycle – gambling.

From the Herald-Leader:

“A month after Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher began laying down the melody of his anti-casino tune for the fall election, the GOP candidate for attorney general, Stan Lee, has harmonized.”

I believe that expanded gambling in Kentucky is the simple, easy to understand wrong answer to the complex question of how we fund state government.

Fletcher, Lee, et al might have a reasonable argument if they could offer any alternative to gambling that would deal with the current tax mess in Frankfort. Their only plan is say anything and keep power.

The one note song of ban the “evil doers” just rings kind of hollow. Gambling is not the only issue in this election.

We should not forget that indicted Governor Fletcher copped a plea to avoid being drug into court.

If you want to decide what kind of Attorney General Stan Lee would make, look at his legislative record. Based on his record he would be more concerned with what goes on in your bedroom than what goes on in a casino.

I’m sure the rest of the Republicans will march lock step to this one note song, but even though I think expanded gambling is the wrong answer for Kentucky, the records of the Republican candidates make them totally unacceptable.