Arguments and evidence in persuasive writing

¶ … against the idea of legalizing gambling in the town of Youngstown, Ohio. The writer takes the reader on a short history of the town and exposes the gangster activity that has always thrived within the town. The writer uses this as a springboard to argue that gambling becoming legal would only encourage a repeat of such mob activity. There were four sources used to complete this paper.

LET's NOT REPEAT HISTORY

As the residents of Youngstown debate the issue of legalized gambling, there are many forces being exerted on both sides of the issue. Youngstown, Ohio has been economically deprived for some time and the city government as well as community advocates are scrambling to re-vitalize the area. When advocates of legalized gambling look at cities across the nation who have allowed it, they see improved economics through jobs and tourism as well as money for the school system being obtained. They wave these examples as proof that Youngstown would benefit from legalized gambling. What they don't publicize or address is the seedy side of the issue. Youngstown has long been known as a gathering place for the operation of mob gangs. While the town works to clean up not only its image, but also the actual activities that earn its reputation legalizing gambling would only open the door for all the hard work to be voided.

When we see gambling on television, it is filled with lights, noise and seemingly fun. People are sitting at card tables or slot machines and enjoying their time off from their jobs, or the responsibilities of home. It looks harmless enough, and advocates of legalized gambling in Youngstown want to know why it can't happen here. Why can't the town use this form of entertainment to better the town's economic standing and growth? The answer is simple. Youngstown does not need to invite crime, violence and problems into its boundaries.

As of the year 2000 Youngstown had convicted over 70 ill reputed mobsters and public officials who did business with the mobsters. " The Mafia has thrived in this mid-sized Ohio city since the 1950s, when a robust economy gave mill workers extra cash to use for gambling games. In the late '50s and early '60s two factions of the mob, one based in Cleveland and the other in Pittsburgh, began to struggle for control. In 1963, the Saturday Evening Post called the blue-collar city "Crimetown, U.S.A." after the battle between the two factions led to 75 bombings over a 12-year period (Ohio, 2000). "

During the 1980's the mob experienced a comeback in Youngstown when public officials were murdered by mob hits because the mafia felt it would not be able to control them the way it already controlled those left alive (Ohio, 2000). This led to a three-year investigation in which many mob and public officials were arrested, charged and convicted of various crimes. One of the biggest crimes that was consistently committed according to the affidavits was illegal gambling and cohesion.

The late 1990s saw yet more public official murders that were contracted by the mob.

Several years ago a sheriff was convicted of assisting in the mobs cover-up of illegal gambling in Youngstown (Racketeering, 1999).

Those who want gambling legalized claim that it would allow the city to have control over the gambling and its funds and practices (James, 1997).

Gambling should not be allowed to come into Youngstown. With the history of the city so entwined in the life and business of the mafia; allowing gambling to become legal would be inviting the mob to take over the town. Regardless of the economic problems Youngstown is currently facing, legalizing gambling is not the answer. The town has endured the proven criminal intent of public officials and a sheriff (James, 1997). It has also buried its own public official that the mob had killed to make a statement of its control Allowing gambling into Youngstown on an legal avenue would start a problem with crime and racketeering that would be almost impossible to get a handle on and clean up.