Well, the folks in Bethlehem, PA are considering building a slot machine parlor/casino on the grounds of defunct Bethlehem Steel. Inspired by the image of gambling in a town founded by Moravian Christians, I suggest these lyrics to the traditional Christmas hymn, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." (All apologies to Phillips Brooks, who wrote the text we all know and love).
O little town of Bethlehem, how still your steel plants lie!
A closed-down factory sits there, calling-on developers nigh;
Yet in their plans they see-eth, gambling revenues high!
The hopes and fears of down-trodden years, collide in plans unwise.
O little town in Lehigh, prepare for buses yet;
blue haired ladies spending their social security check.
They’ll play the one armed bandit, and celebrate small gains;
By the end they’ll spend it all; oh Grandma, please abstain!
O little town of Biblical name, a star sits high above
Calling wise men? No, not them. It calls on a gambler’s love;
"Come, lose money and see cheesy shows; it benefits the kids!"
Fund our schools with gambling games? Oh no! This God forbids!
O little town of gaming, the revenues may flow.
O little town get ready for promises unfulfilled;
Harrisburg says that gambling will help your town and school.
But doubt you should their statements; how has Atlantic City fared?
Run! Say NO! Reject this plan! It’s more than we can bear.
I think that legalizing gambling to benefit neighborhoods and fund education is about as smart as taxing the drug trade to fund urban renewal. On paper it might make sense (jobs, tax revenue, etc), but we don’t live on paper. Gambling creates it own problems, and the jobs available at gambling parlors are not the kind of jobs that lead to sustained development. But this is what Ed Rendell, our democratic governor, wants to do. His plan calls for gambling revenue to fund education and reduce the property tax burden. But in doing so, he creates a whole new burden.
The Lutheran Zephyr 