The 3.5-Point Question Revisited

Citizens across America -- at least, the ones who remembered that our democracy functions every year, not just once every four years -- did their patriotic duty and cast votes on all sorts of decisions Tuesday. They voted for legislators, executives, judges and ballot initiatives of every sort.

One referendum that passed in New Jersey covered a topic near and dear to the People's Pigskin's heart.

By a margin of nearly 2 to 1, residents of the Garden State authorized their legislature to amend the state's constitution to legalize sports betting there. Now, before you book your reservations, there are a few things you should know. First, the state still needs to overcome a federal law prohibiting sports betting in all but four states (including Delaware). New Jersey could get Congress to overturn the law, or it could get a court to declare the law unconstitutional. Either effort would take a while. Then, if the state got one of those things to happen, it would still have to work out the mechanics of sports betting. What games would be offered? Who would set the odds? Who would make sure everything was on the up and up? Et cetera.

Longtime readers of this blog know how we feel about the issue. It's silly to allow someone to walk into a convenience store, put a $50 bill on the counter and say, "Give me two Wheel of Fortunes, three Win $500 a Week for Lifes, five Minute to Win Its and 10 dollars on the Powerball," while arresting someone for going to that same counter and saying "Give me Cowboys minus the 3 for $50." And those who worry about betting scandals and game-fixing aren't paying attention. Neither college athletes nor their professional counterparts have needed legalized sports betting to corrupt themselves.

Of course, not everyone thinks that way. While New Jersey residents were passing their referendum, residents of Maine were defeating a casino proposal. Still, it's clear that progress is being made.

Quick reminder: The first fantasy football poll of the week will close on Thursday. We need to know whether the People's Pigskin should start Michael Bush on Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers. Your vote counts, so please make it now.