Money Donations Equal Power

In the fight for and against slot machines, there are companies and organizations duking it out behind the scenes, trying to lobby for the support of the general public for their specific cause. What is interesting is that the two sides must raise money in order to gain bargaining power and convincing power in order to sway votes to their side.

This is visible everyday during campaigns just like the ones that were going on during this past year. Each side has a point they are trying to make, and each side needs the money to try to get the most exposure for it. That way, they are able to maximize on the people are exposed to the persuasive material that they are trying to disseminate. Furthermore, each needs to put money muscle necessary to make their heard message loud and clear.

What is most interesting is the disparity between funds that each side is able to raise. The organizations that are in favor of slot machines raised a total of 7 million dollars that they put toward advertising and advocacy campaigns. This, put against the mere 1 million dollars that were raised by groups that are against slots, is nothing less than a total obliteration of the opposite side.

This is the situation that was going on over at Ocean City Maryland, where the residents finally caved into the slots side. After years and years of indecision, they $7 million dollars that they pro slots groups were putting into the whole deal finally attained the goal.

Back to January 2009 Archive.