Don’t buy the ‘spin’ put on gambling bill

I appreciated you recent editorial about the proposed gambling legislation awaiting the governor’s signature. This plan cannot be good for the people of Illinois in the long run. The current casinos and the lottery have not proved to solve the budget problems. The original publicity about them seemed to be based on the revenue they would generate in lieu of a tax increase which the poor could not afford. Who is going to the casinos, who is buying lottery tickets? Many of the same people who could not afford a tax increase are now spending their rent, grocery and utility monies in the hope of eventually winning big.

Several years ago my family had a reunion in Deadwood, S.D., where we found the once picturesque, historic town turned into a place where every establishment was filled with slot machines. The historic hotel where we stayed did not even have a lobby where you could sit — only row after row of slot machines. People walked the streets carrying plastic containers with coins and wearing a vacant stare. This has also happed in the historic town of Cripple Creek, Colo. These were places where one used to go to enjoy the scenery, the history and the tranquil atmosphere.

No one particularly wants to pay more taxes, but that may be necessary. Of course, we could avoid raising taxes if we could save money by doing away with waste, fraud and the excessive retirement benefits given to many of the public employees. How about lowering the tax on businesses to encourage them to stay in the state and develop jobs. Finally, why not do something about tort reform?

For the elected officials their argument comes down to the “revenue and jobs” — well, I don’t buy into that.

Agnes Kenton

Carol Stream