Another perspective on gambling

My wife and I are married to each other 46 years and have lived in the same neighborhood 44 years. We raised three sons, provided each of them with a college education, and now enjoy sharing the experiences of their lives as they conduct themselves as productive citizens, loving spouses, and devoted parents.

My wife and I pay our taxes on time, go to church on Sunday, have never had a traffic citation, donate to charities, vote in elections, are good neighbors, and fly the flag of the United States of America on proper holidays. For 33 years I earned a living and provided for my family working as a public school mathematics teacher.

Now in retirement, we enjoy theater performances, traveling, spending time with our grandchildren, visiting museums, attending sports events, gardening, exercise, and occasional recreational gambling. Spending a sunny afternoon at Arlington Park betting on the horse races is very pleasant. The excitement and sounds of playing games in a casino is exhilarating. At least 99 percent of the people we see at the track or in casinos are neatly dressed, well-groomed, and conduct themselves in a decent, refined manner.

I most vociferously resent the self-appointed saviors of society labeling those of us who enjoy casino gambling as seedy, as outlaws, and as individuals with low moral values. If people only of questionable character frequented casinos, Las Vegas Strip traffic would not be taxis, busses, and cars, but would be tanks and armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with loaded weapons would patrol the walks.

Opponents of gambling expansion pontificate people will lose their houses, crime will increase, and gambling addicts will take all their money out of the bank. They say "bank." I say bunk!

This evening my wife and I are meeting a group of friends for dinner at a restaurant. All of us will enjoy a cocktail, a glass of wine or a beer. Would we be judged as a bunch of drunks?

Richard J. Piagari

Des Plaines