The predatory practices of the casino lifestyle

RE "MY father and the loan sharks" (Op-ed, Aug. 16): It's not often I give kudos to the Globe for an opinion article, so I will jump at the opportunity to cheer the piece by David D'Alessandro.

It's pretty clear that the casino movement gained a lot of ground once a Democrat found his way into the governor's office. Isn't this the party that supposedly represents the interests of the little guy, the minority, the oppressed?

Every day we read about the mortgage crisis and its toll on families. Politicians, especially Democrats, cite "predatory lending" practices as one of the main culprits. But how can they attack these practices and then support casinos in our state?

What's more predatory: a bank that targets you and traps you in a loan, and you end up losing your house? Or a casino that targets you and traps you in a bad lifestyle, and you end up losing your house or worse, as D'Alessandro described?

DAVID RYCHALSKY
Boston