Many folks are familiar with animal training devices that reward the animal with food for correctly performing a task. The popular TV show “Lost” used such a machine on human subjects in at least one of its episodes.

Recently our state legislators voted to allow the large-scale employment of such devices so that the unwary might be relieved of their hard-won cash. The training program has been called an economic boon and the foundation of future prosperity. Unfortunately the devices are so designed that were they to return food rather than cash, all the trainees would eventually starve to death.

Timber, fish, energy, fruit, water and scenic beauty are real products that may, if managed well, be the foundation of our economic prosperity. The gambling business produces no real thing and can be the foundation of nothing save perhaps a mortuary.

Andrew F. Strachan

Machias