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March 25 - It is a well-known ploy in political circles for interested
parties to push for legislation that serves their own needs. This point was
proven in the state of Michigan recently after a proposal was publicized to
allow the game of bingo to fund political campaigns.
The Michigan bingo industry has a long history but in recent years,
the game has become somewhat outdated, despite a huge revival of bingo on the
internet. Nevertheless, Party Representative Mark Meadows has introduced a
proposal to generate new life into the Michigan bingo scene by allowing parlors
to operate as long as the funds were injected into political campaigns.
Meadows said: "The primary reason political bingos were stopped is that
Democrats used them successfully and they were not a Republican fundraising
mechanism. This was done for the wrong reasons, and it's time to reverse this."
The general consensus in the state of Michigan is that using the game of
bingo to fund political campaigns is preferred by Democrats. The Republicans,
who usually have fuller coffers, traditionally shy away from Michigan bingo
legislation because it gives the Democrats a greater advantage to further their
causes.
With the decline in the popularity of bingo in the state, many are
questioning the wisdom of investing in bingo parlors that may or may not take
off the ground. But Representative Steve Lindberg said: "In areas like mine
where there are a lot of casinos, bingo games aren't very big sellers anymore.
But in some areas, it will be a good way for political parties to raise money
without going out and asking for direct donations."
While past laws in Michigan allowed bingo revenues to be used to to fund
political campaigns, today only operational costs can be paid from political
bingo games.
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