People either love or hate politics. By definition, politics reflects one’s personal ability to triumph over figurative and philosophical stab wounds from opponents. Former President Bill Clinton recently labeled politics a “contact sport” while campaigning for his wife Hillary, a presidential candidate.
I fall into the “like-a-lot politics” group, but also acknowledge that cable news is on in the background too much during my workday. In fact, as I write this, the news is on “mute”.
For the politics haters who refuse to get involved, think again. You cannot conduct business without it. History shows that the plot rarely changes; only the names of the characters do.
My husband Norman and I recently visited Washington D.C., which is one of my favorite American cities. We stayed a few blocks from the Capitol. It was a stroll down memory lane. In my old job in the late 1980s and 1990s, hundreds of American amusement operators met en masse for the annual legislative conference. I was on the national trade group board for six years.
We met with our respective state representatives and senators at their office. Everyone realized that without favorable legislation, conducting business could be tough.
Operators actively engaged with their elected officials. If they were politically aligned, so much the better. Doing solid business is important, but it means little if fighting the government on legislation drains time, energy and resources.
The gaming industry has similar issues. Several key legislative and political issues have faced Atlantic City, Nevada and other jurisdictions this year, which will undoubtedly affect how business is done.
All of New Jersey, except for Atlantic City’s casino gaming floors, has been totally smoke-free for a few years. Following a relentless battle, Atlantic City lawmakers have taken the historic step of outlawing smoking everywhere, even on the gaming floors. The measure takes effect on October 15, but casinos may build separate ventilated un-staffed smoking rooms.
Atlantic City revenues have declined since early 2007. Some blame the slowing economy and high gas prices; others point to competition from Pennsylvania. Still, others claim the original smoking restriction is responsible. It is uncertain how this new law will affect profits in the fall.
Fighting a competitive threat to Atlantic City, New Jersey Governor Corzine signed legislation barring VLTs at the state’s racetracks for three years. In return, casinos must pay racetracks $30 million annually.
Taxes are a big issue in Nevada. For decades, Nevada’s casinos have paid 6.75 per cent in taxes, but numerous groups now seek a raise. In April, the Carson City District Court validated a proposed referendum – raising state taxes to 9.75 percent – effective in 2011.
The Nevada Resort Association will probably challenge it, but Nevada’s teachers’ support it. If enough sign the initiative, the question will make the ballot twice – in November and again in 2010.
In April, Pennsylvania Supreme Court awarded Foxwoods Casino the zoning permits Philadelphia’s City Council had withheld for a year. The ruling followed a similar decision on behalf of SugarHouse Casino on the waterfront.
The list goes on, but success requires two components – securing good legislation and preventing the bad laws. The American Gaming Association formed in 1995 to fight a proposed federal tax on gaming receipts. They succeeded, and the group’s watchdog role has continued as gaming has expanded.
While in Washington, we visited the National Portrait Gallery, which houses original portraits of the past 42 presidents. There is no painting yet of George W. Bush. A biographical profile was beside every portrait.
What a fascinating study into human behavior, economics and political savvy. The reason for America’s high number of presidents in 220 years is a high attrition rate. Four were assassinated, a few died in office and several others were not reelected or chose not to run for a second term. Richard Nixon, the only president to ever resign, left office in 1974.
However, most stories had common threads. Many battled Congress during their terms; others faced intense economic obstacles, political fallout and war. Some – like Thomas Jefferson, the third and one of America’s most respected presidents – just hated the job. Finally, some faced all of the above.
Jefferson disliked the job so intensely that he refused to list it on his tombstone. Instead, he is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and founding the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. 
Ah, politics… seems like nothing has changed.

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