Letter to the Editor, Posted: 4/13/05
TO THE EDITOR:Ý
ěIt is not a proper function of government to be running and owning and profiting from gambling operations. Thatís not really part of our constitution, or the vision that our founding fathers had for our state.î
-Governor Pawlenty
MPR interview, May, 2003
Isnít gambling really just harmless entertainment? Itís Bingo on steroids, right? My Swedish grandparents played whist till all hours of the night. They enjoyed it immensely and it didnít cause them any harm.Ý
But gambling isnít harmless entertainment. Itís big business. And it is rigged so the house always wins. In a harmless game of late night whist my grandfather could lose his pride; but not his savings.Ý
Here are some facts you need to know about gambling:
1. For every $1 the government gets from gambling, the community pays $2 or $3 in social and economic costs.
2. Up to 40 percent of white collar crime is caused by gambling.
3. 25-50 percent of casino revenues come from problem or pathological gamblers.
4. Two-thirds of gambling addicts turn to crime to finance their addiction.
5. Teenagers are up to 3 times more likely to get addicted to gambling than adults.
If we are talking about family values, it is clear where the Bible comes down on this topic. And the Governor, in this interview, got it right!
Wade Vitalis
Shafer
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