To be clear, we visit Las Vegas once or twice every year and we enjoy the glitz, the excitement, and the chance to strike it rich. We are not BIG gamblers but manage to leave a little of our green with the casinos. For that, we get occasional free (!) nights of lodging.
This last visit we saw even more construction going on - it never stops here - and still are amazed at what certainly has to be built on the backs of losers. OK, my hand is up here, but we are careful to lose only what we can afford. We don't spend the rent, the food budget (heaven forbid), and other needed dough.
Yet, I am torn between my conservative (read cop) views, allowing people to be responsible for their own actions and allowing businessmen to spend their earned money as they see fit. So another hotel and casino, the $1.9 billion Palazzo, has risen from the desert like so many before have done.
Another project, City Center, will be selling condos for millions (that's plural) and then my social worker side wonders what kinds of good things could be done for kids or others with those excess millions. Wow, the project is set to cost over $9 billion! Just for a hotel, condos, and probably another casino or two.
I guess I am ambivalent (maybe). I will visit those casinos when they open and likely contribute to their balance sheets. I already "gave" at the Palazzo "office". But I still wonder if this is all excessive and where does it all end? I recall the mighty Romans built edifaces to themselves and lived to excess as well. Could all this be a part of the Rise and Fall of the American Empire?
This last visit we saw even more construction going on - it never stops here - and still are amazed at what certainly has to be built on the backs of losers. OK, my hand is up here, but we are careful to lose only what we can afford. We don't spend the rent, the food budget (heaven forbid), and other needed dough.
Yet, I am torn between my conservative (read cop) views, allowing people to be responsible for their own actions and allowing businessmen to spend their earned money as they see fit. So another hotel and casino, the $1.9 billion Palazzo, has risen from the desert like so many before have done.
Another project, City Center, will be selling condos for millions (that's plural) and then my social worker side wonders what kinds of good things could be done for kids or others with those excess millions. Wow, the project is set to cost over $9 billion! Just for a hotel, condos, and probably another casino or two.
I guess I am ambivalent (maybe). I will visit those casinos when they open and likely contribute to their balance sheets. I already "gave" at the Palazzo "office". But I still wonder if this is all excessive and where does it all end? I recall the mighty Romans built edifaces to themselves and lived to excess as well. Could all this be a part of the Rise and Fall of the American Empire?
1 comment:
I agree that there is much to Vegas that is excessive. The trouble is how does one define or draw the line on excessive? Like another topic - I know it when I see it. Sure people should have the "right" to spend their money as they see fit... and yes there are things as a nation we could use more dough for... So we seem to value the "talent" of the entertainment fields - sports - movies etc over the "need" fields of garbage collector - teacher etc. Now folks need entertainment and the arts - but we seem to over emphasize those things and seem to under emphasize great teachers - for example. It is true that few can hit that high note in the opera or hit that grand slam in the bottom of the 9th or complete that touchdown when we need it - but try not having your trash picked up or your 911 call not answered.
This topic could go on and on. Balance I would argue is needed. - But who determines what is the proper balance. Today it seems like those with the most dollars make all the decisions.
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