Put casinos to a referendum

AS ONE of the organizers who worked for years to successfully stop the demolition of Fenway Park, I am amazed that Governor Patrick and other politicians in Massachusetts are bringing the public through yet another waste of time and potential disaster with the casino proposal. Casinos, like stadiums, are sold to elected officials across the country as a great panacea and as a necessary part of competition among the states. Casinos are private industries that would not exist without the significant partnership and participation of government,.

Democrats are leading the way, incapable of making government meaningful again, and have aligned with the powerful casino lobby to solve our problems. Don't believe the hype. Call on Patrick to do what Governor Edward Rendell, in my adopted state of Pennsylvania, did not do: hold a referendum before the introduction of slots into your state. Trust the wisdom of the public and bring this to a vote. Casinos will be defeated if you have a true, informed debate in Massachusetts.

JETHRO HEIKO
Philadelphia

The writer is founder of Casino-Free Philadelphia.