THE PUBLIC MIND: IN GAMBLING VOTE, CITY SHOULD TAKE LOOK AT ITS PRIORITIES

To the editor:

The election in Cape Girardeau on riverboat gambling is now upon us: June 8. As was anticipated, those who want to bring this to Cape have geared up an aggressive, expensive campaign, financed greatly by outside gambling concerns who know legalized gambling will lift them big dollars of profit from our community.

Indeed, gambling has proved over and over to be an alluring temptation, misleading good people to squander hard earned dollars in the hope of a get-rich-quick fix. Now the same tactic is being used to lure Cape voters: that our city will prosper. But the only people who get rich consistently are the casino owners. Unless of course we are gullible enough to believe they are in it primarily to help our town economically. And from whence will their profits come? Think about it.

The sad truth is society's ethical standard seems to be the almighty dollar. If it can be argued (even erroneously) that something is "good for the economy" it is automatically "good" and therefore "right."

I write as unapologetically from a Judeo-Christian perspective, but as one who also has a non-sectarian interest in the well-being of his community. We are called to have ethical standards independent of our pocketbooks, even if they cost something, financially! Remember the Bible's principles? If God is sovereign, how can it be right to wager his resources on a game of chance? If man was made to be a worker (Ephesians 4:28), how can it be right to promote something-for-nothing? If man was created as a steward of God's wealth, how can it be right to squander his gifts recklessly? If we are to love our neighbor and be our brother's keeper, how can it be right to seek personal gain at his loss? Gambling is pure materialism, and a form of coveting. Jesus said you cannot serve both God and money. On June 8, Cape will choose.

What kind of city will we live in if we vote down a small tax increase to educate our children, and then two months later vote to throw money around recklessly at a craps table? A city with its priorities dreadfully out of order.

Dr. John E. Owen

Pastor First Baptist Church

Cape Girardeau