I try to be a good citizen. I believe in helping the people of my state every way I can, especially if it affects the ability of people to attend college. That’s why I wholeheartedly support Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s solution to the rising cost of higher education.

Bars and private clubs might get to offer video poker gambling under Gov. Ed Rendell’s plan to help families pay for college.

Under the plan, any of the state’s 14,000 bars, restaurants or private clubs holding a liquor license could operate up to five video poker machines that pay out to winners. Some of the revenue would support Rendell’s $128 million plan to boost financial aid.

This has nothing to do with the fact that I like to gamble on occasion. It has nothing to do with the fact that I live more than an hour from a place where I can wager a few bucks on something. This doesn’t in any way relate to my fascination with winning money.

This is for the kids. I just want them to realize their dream of graduating from college. I’m a giver, that’s what I am.

All we have to do now is weather the barrage of criticism from do-gooders who think that we’re going to hell in a handbasket because people will play video poker when, in reality, these machines are illegally in all kinds of places and you can already gamble in different ways at every private club in the state.

Combine this with the reality that table games will come to PA sooner rather than later, and I am a very happy boy. I won’t betthe farm when these things happen. I probably won’t even play that often. I will just like knowing that the option is there when I getthe itch.