LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: GAMBLING LEADS TO BROKEN FAMILIES

To the Editor:

Citizens of Missouri, and our area in particular, have another chance on April 5 to rectify the mistake we have made as a state in recent elections. The mistake I make reference to is the approval, expansion and promotion of various forms of gambling now present in our state. We need to vote no to the broken promises from the gambling industry.

A vote no is needed to stop the broken relationships, marriages and families which will result from the stress and trauma of gambling debt. We need to vote no to increased expenditures for police and prison budgets to house the gambling losers who resort to crime to pay back their gambling debts. We need to vote no to teenage gambling addiction which has followed the "gaming" industry in other areas. How about voting no to the three jobs that will be lost for every one gambling job created.

A vote no will also mean we're voting against greed, covetness, cheating, corruption, deception and manipulation -- which are the order of the day for the gambling crowd. Let's also vote no against the transfer of money that would have been spent in local businesses that will be siphoned-off to the gamblers profit coffers in some distant state. Finally, I would say, let's vote no to gambling precipitated hunger, homelessness and broken hearts among the children who will invariably be the innocent victims in this pursuit of lucre.

The sufferings of the losers (the average loss -- after winnings are paid out -- per person for each visit on the Alton Belle is $60) is not worth it. I hope you'll join with me in voting no.

KENDAL HICKS

Pastor

Southside Baptist Church

Cape Girardeau