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From time to time, prominent Americans have suggested that we follow Ireland's lead and have a national lottery based on one of America's best known sporting events.
The Kentucky Derby, for instance. I'd like to give you my views immediately following this important message.
Personally, I'm in favor of some kind of a national lottery. I don't agree with those who say that gambling breeds crime.
I think if you look at past history, you'll find that where you outlaw certain kinds of things, this is where you have crime.
When we had prohibition, what happened? The gangsters came in, they brought in illegal whiskey, they made all kinds.
It wasn't inspected. Therefore, you had not only illegal whiskey, but you had something that was bad for their health.
And let's look at the lottery that would come in here. Would this bring in the gangsters? I say no.
First of all, I think that when you don't allow legalized gambling, once again the gangsters come in, they take over, and you run into all kinds of problems.
But if you had this thing legalized and you had it supervised day in and day out, perhaps even have it government controlled,
I think that you would find that you would be benefiting the little man who can afford to gamble.
People say that, let's not have off-track betting. They frown on it. They say that it's going to cause all kinds of trouble,
that more and more people are going to be betting who cannot afford to do so. I think this is kind of ridiculous.
First of all, no one is forced to bet. Those who like it will bet. Those who do not like it will not bet.
Let's not worry about whether or not people are going to lose $2 here or there when they can't afford it because they're going to do it anyway.
And I kind of have an idea that you could make some of these schools that we're trying to build, new schools, the beneficiaries of a lottery,
or a new hospital could come into being because of a lottery such as they have in Ireland.
Or perhaps the government, in trying to build more and more homes, could get some money to build homes for the people who are now living in slums,
or perhaps for the aged even. Perhaps we could get it for hospitalization.
Frankly, I think we'd have a lot less crime than we have if we were allowed to bet any time, any place we wanted to.
Naturally, ladies and gentlemen, this is a personal opinion. I'd like to know what some of you think on this particular subject.
And I hope that you agree. And perhaps someday we will have legalized lottery here in the United States.
Well, that just about does it for now, fans. See you soon.