In an October 27th interview Speaker Dennis Hastert said of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, "There's no treaty." Even though the Department of Interior says differently in a 2001 ruling.
Even though Hastert says that the Potawatomi will "absolutly not" have a bingo parlor in his IL-14th district, it may be another campaign promise he cannot deliver.
It's not that he opposes gambling or gaming interests, it is just those who do not pay to play. Just look at the facts...
Of all members of Congress Hastert received the most from Abramoff and his Native American clients, over $100,000. Also since 1997 his Keep Our Majority PAC has received over $300,000 from Native American gambling and gaming groups.
Hasert has also raised millions of dollars for the Republican party from the gambling industry. He has been walking the tight rope between supporting the bills that would prevent regulation and taxing of gambling profits while at the same time saying he opposes internet gambling to his suburban family constituents.
His money trail shows very plainly that it's not Native American Gambling establishments nor bingo parlors he opposes as long as they make contributions to his favorite PAC of the month. Actually his many lucrative fundraising trips to Las Vegas have always lined his pockets very well. In August of 1999 after becoming Speaker he raised over $600,000 in one whirlwind weekend on the strip. The Las Vegas Review-Journal quoted Hastert calling gaming and gambling "a great industry."
Oh well it's a tired old story by now...the only politican who will not be on the take in Washington after November 7th will be John Laesch. And the new story will be how John's victory took Hastert, the Republican Party, and the United States by surprise.
Any takers on this action?