State missing chances to make money

The Sunday Herald contained three seemingly unrelated articles that suggest a solution to the state's financial crisis.

The first article indicated various candidates' position on the reinstatement of the death penalty. While indicating that innocent people can and have been sentenced to death, that the penalty itself doesn't serve as a deterrent and costs the government millions of dollars to pursue, the article did not explore the possibilities of turning the event into a moneymaker for the state. Fox News would pay large sums to televise the actual killings, narrated by some of their top-line correspondents.

The second article focused on the award of a contract for the state's lottery. The award winner promised an additional billion dollars to the state over the next five years. That amount would be insignificant if the state simply created a gambling center in Springfield that would rival Tunica, Atlantic City, or even Vegas. Building on the existing legislative base of gamblers, very little construction would have to take place.

The third article dealt with the discovery of three marijuana plants in a Grayslake field. Lake County Sheriff police destroyed the three plants, valued at $2,500 apiece. While I can imagine their sense of satisfaction and heightened awareness as they gathered around the fire, I thought of the lost revenue if the state allowed people to purchase confiscated marijuana.

John H. Mason

Grayslake