Drive a spike through gambling

Gambling expansion is making enablers of us all. We are enabling the destruction of families within our communities knowing very well that greater ease of gambling brings only disaster. The number of families destroyed by this insidious addiction grows ever greater.

We also know well that state income does not grow with more and more gambling institutions and opportunities. The very opposite is true, as state and community services must step in and help destroyed individuals and families.

But worse is the cynicism of a state legislator who has not the courage to raise taxes or become more efficient in the use of tax money, and instead turns to the siren call of gambling's legalized deception, turning to what appears to be "free revenue" to pay for the services a state and community want and need.

Please end this folly, yield not to the fallacious temptation that video poker and Internet lottery will bring new dollars to our economy. It brings only ruin.

Senators, please vote against gambling expansion. Governor, please promise to veto any gambling legislation that appears on your desk.

Stephen H. Swanson

pastor, St Paul Lutheran Church

Villa Park