NO THANKS this Thanksgiving to the short-sighted politicians

Advances in legalized gambling offer little to be thankful for

NO THANKS this Thanksgiving to the short-sighted politicians, blinkered to how insidious the disease of gambling will become once it is legalized in Massachusetts.

I offer sympathy to the upcoming generations who can look to chance and luck, a something-for-nothing lure, and the fate of recklessly abandoning self and family in place of creatively working to overcome financial hard times. Lawmakers and investors could not have timed it better, seeking personal gain and pleasure from those who are already vulnerable.

The fact is, legalization of gambling will result in more people gambling when casinos are accessible in this state.

I am from a long line of gamblers, and what many people don’t understand about this silent addiction is that, while the alcoholic staggers, the junkie slurs his speech, and the pedophile stalks, the gambler moves with the grace of a cheetah, deceptively.

Statistics have no way of knowing who among us will become a recreational gambler, a problem gambler, or a compulsive gambler. Unknown odds. What is known is that gambling is a gateway to crime and corruption, is morally irresponsible and socially destructive, and leaves a wake of medical expenses and family mayhem for addicts and their families.

Catherine O’Neill

Newton