I spent a little less than a day and a half in Atlantic City, NJ, the east coast’s gambling destination. First, even south Jersey has a smell to it, though I am told north Jersey smells worse. Second, it’s a lot classier than Vegas. The huge resorts are there, but the huge signs and flashing lights and constant noise aren’t. Inside the casinos is a different story. While I enjoyed dropping a few coins into the slot machines, it was utterly depressing to see so many folks who I know couldn’t afford to be there blowing their money. Too many walkers in there – old people who could barely get around, who through the personal choices they made not to save money earlier in life are now there blowing their social insecurity checks thinking that’s how they’re going to make it big and live out the rest of their lives as high rollers.

That said, thank God we live in a free market economy where people are free to do stupid things with their money. While it’s clearly irresponsible, we sure as heck don’t need the government running such operations making sure everyone is “equal” and distributing the wealth any more than they already are.