STATE MISSING CHANCES TO MAKE MONEY

The Sunday Herald contained three seemingly unrelated articles that
suggest a solution to the state's financial crisis.

The first article indicated various candidates' position on the
reinstatement of the death penalty. While indicating that innocent
people can and have been sentenced to death, that the penalty itself
doesn't serve as a deterrent and costs the government millions of
dollars to pursue, the article did not explore the possibilities of
turning the event into a moneymaker for the state. Fox News would pay
large sums to televise the actual killings, narrated by some of their
top-line correspondents.

The second article focused on the award of a contract for the state's
lottery. The award winner promised an additional billion dollars to
the state over the next five years. That amount would be insignificant
if the state simply created a gambling center in Springfield that
would rival Tunica, Atlantic City, or even Vegas. Building on the
existing legislative base of gamblers, very little construction would
have to take place.

The third article dealt with the discovery of three marijuana plants
in a Grayslake field. Lake County Sheriff police destroyed the three
plants, valued at $2,500 apiece. While I can imagine their sense of
satisfaction and heightened awareness as they gathered around the
fire, I thought of the lost revenue if the state allowed people to
purchase confiscated marijuana.

John H. Mason

Grayslake