Lottery’s false promises

The Land of Lincoln continues to be denigrated by its association with corporate gambling. Harold Mays’ Guest View on Monday suggests we “celebrate” the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest scams dangled in front of its citizens.

The Illinois Lottery is nothing more than a shell game with an initial promotion of the good it would do for our school systems. We find a dollar steered to the school system, which results in a dollar the state doesn’t have to provide — it’s a net zero.

Like so many things in our state, false promises, even those maintained for 50 years, continue to be embraced as a means of fiscal responsibility while slyly draining one’s pocketbook.

Peter Nelson

Trout Valley