Kaching!!!
Posted by John McHale
The regulars at my favorite diner this morning are quite excited by the improved prospects of a casino in Massachusetts. A casino in an economic downturn? Seems crazy but ... they say hell yes, because it means more jobs. One gentleman says he thinks people are more likely to place bets when times are tough, in hopes of scoring the big pay out. Desperation pays I guess.
My fellow diners found hope when they learned the elected official who was blocking the slot machines the most -- Massachusetts Speaker of the House of Representatives Salvatore F. DiMasi -- resigned under a cloud of ethics allegations. It was the lead story in the Boston Heraldthis morning, hence the breakfast conversation.
Seems as if the hopes for employment in this liberal state may lie with casinos and defense contractors. Seems an odd paring, but residents are excited about the casino and experts forecast a steady 2009 for the defense industry. The state is home to Raytheon and other major primes have a large presence here as well, including BAE Systems just over the border in Nashua, N.H.
I'm all for the gambling. Maybe they could tax the casinos and leave our income tax alone -- wishful thinking in this state. My fellow commonwealth residents voted against lowering the income tax last fall.
Missing the no income tax, "live free or die" state...
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
