Help remind Rendell what democracy means: sign the petition

Last semester, after having followed the Philly casino chronicles for an urban studies class, I signed up for the Casino-Free Philadelphia newsletter to stay on top of the issue. I've vacillated between supporting and opposing the proposed casinos, recognizing both the advantages and difficulties they present for the city. Some critics, including CFA, haven't wholly rejected the notion of casinos and have instead taken a more muted approach, opposing the casinos in their currently proposed locations in favor of alternative sites away from neighborhoods.

There have been a lot of twists and turns in the process, replete with petitions, neighborhood rallies, vociferous opposition, City Council resolutions and now, rebukes from the top.

Today's Metro reported Rendell's fierce condemnation of a:

"City Council with no guts that can be extorted by community groups."

Clearly, Rendell is not happy with City Council's reluctance to jump on board his propaganda-infused money train.

But last time I checked, City Council was a group of civic officials, elected to office by voters from Philadelphia communities, with the express purpose of representing these people's interests. And if the people don't want Casinos in their backyards, isn't City Council just doing its job?

Now, the word "extort" has a negative connotation, but that's exactly the kind of power people should have over their government. A more appropriate usage of the word, Governor Rendell, would be in reference to the Gambling Industry's ability to extort your complicity.

If you would like to remind Rendell that the government operates on the people's behalf and that private interests extort power, sign here