Snubbing the governor's carrot

August 04, 2008 05:37 am

— Property tax rebates were the carrot the Rendell Administration used to convince Pennsylvania voters to accept state-sanctioned casino gambling. The governor's plan was simple -- sugar coat gambling with property tax rebates. It is a similar approach to one used by the Pennsylvania Lottery -- which devotes a portion of sales to programs benefitting senior citizens.
Regardless of who profits, ill-gotten fruit can have a bitter taste.
Even ignoring the industry's close ties to organized crime -- a substantial concern to overlook -- the prospect of profiting from the sale of chances to anyone willing to place a bet inspires ambivalence in many. The government's role in the endeavor may be even more troubling considering the social cost of gambling addiction.
Yet, property tax rebates have been accepted by almost all. A school board in Lancaster County will allow residents to decide by referendum whether the district should participate. Otherwise, property owners have largely accepted the governor's carrot -- a decision that can hardly be blamed at any time, but particularly in difficult economic conditions.
There is at least one exception.
Last week, officials in the Warrior Run School District said they received a check from a local Amish farmer who refused to accept his share of the state's gambling profits. The move is in keeping with an admirable Anabaptist tradition of conscientious objection. Faced with governmental policies that conflict with their religious beliefs, members of the Amish and Mennonite community have long sought ways to satisfy their community responsibilities without sacrificing their moral grounding.
Diogenes of Sinope may be best-remembered for his vain search to find an honest man. The Greek philosopher likely would have appreciated the stance of the Warrior Run farmer who decided he would stay true to his beliefs.