The editorial April 6, “Easy money no solutions for hard times,” quoted Dr. Clyde W. Barrow, director of the University of Massachusetts’ Dartmouth’s Center for Policy Analysis, who headed a study on casino gaming in New England. The Sun Journal quoted the study to support anti-Evergreen Mountain Resort claims.

Here is another quote from Dr. Barrow, from a press release issued Feb. 5:

“Maine residents’ desire for casino gambling, and the recreational and entertainment amenities it offers, continue to increase each year. It is clear that Maine residents of all economic and educational backgrounds view casino gambling as acceptable entertainment and will continue to pursue that experience in Connecticut if denied the opportunity to do so in their home state, or unless a similar and closer opportunity is offered in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.”

I’m no doctor, but this sounds like Maine has yet to offer anything that could draw patrons away from other New England destinations, or retain the 271,000 Mainers who visited Connecticut casinos in 2006.

Let’s pretend the newspaper is right, that only Mainers will come. Why is this considered failure? Isn’t the purpose of business to attract patrons?

When did we start being told how to live our lives and spend our money?

Gambling is legal and alive and well in this state. If citizens want to go to the nearest convenience store and load up on scratch tickets, what is to stop them but catchy government-sponsored slogans such as “Play responsibly”?

Jay Carrier, Rumford