The Editor, Sir:

I note the warnings issued by an Arnie Wexler which appeared in The Sunday Gleaner of May 4 in an article I read with a great deal of cynicism and suspicion. Can Wexler not convince the United States that gambling is not good for the US and point out to that country the dangers of addiction? After all, his loyalty should firstly be be to his own country.

Let me express my intolerance for all those who oppose casino gambling while greater ills are tolerated by citizens, civic organisations and churches alike. If the voices that count would rise up against ills like music that fill our children's minds with negative thoughts and negative behaviours, that encourage violence and indiscipline, that leads to poor performance in schools with the same vigour as they do against casino gambling, I am sure the ills of casino gambling would wane thin when compare to these greater ills.

Right to condemn

If the voices that condemn casino gambling would take proactive action to stem the growth of inner cities, to stop those who break the law, from road laws to land laws, then they have earned the right to condemn.

If the Church can take measures to provide counselling and skills training for street boys and for those young girls being used as tools in the booming business of massage parlours, then let them speak against the ills of casino gambling which again would fade alongside these ills.

The great attraction of Dunn's River Falls is now stale, reggae music has been adopted by the entire Caribbean and we are yet to see a new Bob Marley who will rekindle the interest and romanticism associated with Jamaica.

Casino gambling is overdue for Jamaica. Our people migrate to the Bahamas and St Martin which have flourished from casino gambling while we failed to upgrade our offerings to tourists. We shied away from offshore banking while our Caribbean neighbours have gone full speed ahead.

Improved lifestyles

Do we prefer our people to have a chance at improved lifestyles, improved jobs on their own territory or do we prefer them to be begging on the doorsteps of foreign countries for jobs? Do we want the crime of poverty to take over our land?

Let those who need opportunities speak. Those who live comfortable lives can afford to condemn but we need jobs and we need growth. We need something more than Dunn's River to attract tourists. We need to provide for our people the means to earn to give them that sense of dignity that comes from gainful employment.

Let me congratulate the Government on taking a bold and brave step in moving ahead in the interest of Jamaica.

FAYE E. JAC0BS

Faye_jacobs22@msn.com