Editorials
Friday, October 4, 1996
Federal commission
will study gambling
GAMBLING continues to flourish nationwide - the industry posted record revenues of $44 billion last year - but it has run into political roadblocks. Since 1994 more than 30 legislative and ballot proposals to legalize or expand gambling in 25 states have failed. Pro-gambling forces won in only two states.
Opposition has been particularly strong when cities and states have tried to legalize casino gambling. Industry analyst Eugene Martin Christiansen says one reason for the opposition is that "gambling remains deeply troubling to many Americans." In addition, he says, "Against the benefits of jobs and tax receipts must be set the costs of compulsive gambling and the community dislocation that is the price of any substantial economic development."
Concern over the social costs of gambling led to the formation of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, which claims credit for the string of gambling defeats. Now President Clinton has signed a bill calling for the formation of a nine-member commission to study the impact of gambling on society.
Hawaii, one of only two states that has refused to legalize any form of gambling, should await the commission's findings with interest. We expect them to confirm that gambling would be bad for Hawaii. There are better ways to stimulate growth.
Burmese barred
PROTESTING the arrests of hundreds of political activists, the Clinton administration has barred Burma's military rulers and their families from entering the United States. The White House said the president signed the order in response to "ongoing repression" of the democracy movement headed by Aung San Suu Kyi.
The action is more symbolic than substantive. But it is a clear expression of disapproval that brands the Burmese junta members as pariahs. White House spokesman Mike McCurry called on the Burmese military junta to release all of the activists. The order barring the generals from the United States was a way to back up that demand, but it isn't likely to be sufficient to obtain the desired result. Still, it's useful to make clear that the United States condemns such behavior.
Parks legislation
AS Congress prepared to adjourn, the Senate gave final approval to an omnibus parks and land bill containing dozens of items affecting 113 federal sites in 41 states. Of particular interest are the provisions affecting the Presidio, the former Army post in San Francisco that is now part of the national park system.
The measure would establish a trust with financing and leasing authority aimed at helping the Presidio become self-supporting and end its dependence on federal funds. The trust could negotiate leases that would require tenants to rehabilitate the Presidio's historic structures. The Presidio provisions are especially noteworthy because of their significance for the cause of historic preservation as it applies to former military sites.
Corporate welfare
TWO defense contractors, Martin Marietta and Lockheed have merged, forming Lockheed Martin. OK, but they want the taxpayers to pay for the merger - $850 million, to be precise. That would offset such costs as severance pay, moving machines and equipment and retraining and relocating employees. It shouldn't be approved, but it probably will be. This is a flagrant example of corporate welfare, part of the enormous waste of taxpayer money that blights government.
Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor