Evil is coming to South Florida and it comes in the form of a 52-card deck.
The Florida House passed a gambling deal Monday with the Seminole Indians that will bring more than $1 billion in revenues to the state - money that is the seed of the Devil, according to one Republican who voted against the bill.
"The love of money is the root of every evil," said Clay County Rep. Charles Van Zant, according to the Naked Politics blog. "This Seminole gambling compact is evil and brings evil upon Floridians."
Really? We think it brings a pretty steady revenue stream for education and keeps the state from filling a budget hole with increased taxes and fees.
The bill now goes to Gov. Charlie Crist, the lucky devil who is expected to rubber stamp the deal he negotiated with the Seminole Indians. Under the terms, Indian casinos would be allowed to have blackjack and slot machines at their establishments statewide.
In return, the Seminoles agree to pay the state over $1.3 million in revenues over the next five years. Over the life of the 20-year deal, the state could reap about $7 billion worth of "evil" money.
Rev. Van Zant didn't say whether he would would rebuke any money earmarked for his rural county, but we doubt that check will be so devilish when it pays for new roads or a school in his town.
Local
Amen.
