Self-Help

As the anti-casino forces in Ottawa try to create a doomsday scenario if the city goes ahead with another gambling facility, their argument is rather weak. Their primary claim is that another casino would be bad for the gambling population; referring to vulnerable seniors and others with limited financial means. According to the information provided, about 2% of the population has a gambling problem. Notwithstanding the tax revenues derived from gambling, the idea then is to penalize 98% of the population because 2% have a problem.  With some estimates that 30% of the population has a drinking problem, why not turn off the flow of alcohol.  They keep on selling and introducing new tobacco products as well as junk food even though both contribute to major and potentially fatal health problems. While I don't dispute the good intentions of the anti-casino forces, as a society why do we persist in trying to prevent others from accepting the consequences  for their decisions? In certain instances, specifically those where people can and should take some ownership of  improving the situation, the argument that they need perpetual help is a tough sell.