Gambling

I’m still trying to get over the shock that I may agree with Gov. Pete Wilson on something! I grew up being taught that gambling was bad and, for the most part, illegal.

It amazes me that since the government got involved in gambling, primarily state lotteries, suddenly gambling was good and legal. This even though the basic tenets--those who play are typically the less fortunate who shouldn’t be spending their money on gambling, which is still a losing proposition (you have a better chance of being struck by lightning twice than winning the state lottery!)--haven’t changed.

This is not to pick on Indian casinos--all forms of gambling, including state lotteries, just aren’t very constructive uses of the time, energy and money involved. And it is such a sad commentary that Indians or, for that matter, any depressed area, often reach out to gambling as a savior.

RICHARD HORMEL

Los Angeles