I read with great interest about Connecticut author Jeff Benedict (BDN, April 18) and what he had to say about casinos. For something he thinks breeds all kinds of problems he didn’t hesitate to write a book about it and, of course, get paid very well for doing so. But the casino had to be there for him to make his observations.

Do people such as Benedict look around and see what an evil world we live in today? Casinos do not breed all these problems, but they play a part just like everything else that is ill gotten.

It is no worse to have a casino in this state where everything would be under one roof than to have hundreds of beano halls all over the state and other places of gambling. Look around at these places the first of every month and see where money that is given to take care of families is spent.

If our governor can’t control all this money that is wasted, why should he be so adamant about a casino being built in Maine?

There are honest, hard-working people looking to make an honest living at whatever job they can find, even if it is in a casino, a paper mill, a sardine factory or what have you. But instead of being able to find work, people are being let go from their jobs every day.

Maine needs to take a hard look at the leadership and also our senators in Washington. I am not pleased with the progress of our legislators in Augusta this past fall and spring.

Gail E. Ray

Milbridge