Better problems to solve

What grandstanding — pushing a bill to legalize online gambling when it doesn’t have a chance of passing [“McDermott says don’t ban Internet gambling, tax it,” NWThursday, May 20]. This is no different then when Rep. Jim McDermott pushed re-establishing the military draft a few years ago.

All legal gambling is currently heavily regulated to protect the gambler from shenanigans of the house. This is true federally, on every reservation and in every state where gambling is legal. Further, there is no way to currently regulate online gambling.

So how could you tax something you can’t regulate?

In the scheme of things and standing alone, online gambling is a minor issue. McDermott has tried to make it more of an issue by tying it to foster kids.

Making the health and well-being of foster kids dependent upon what amounts to a sin tax that results in an unclear revenue stream is perverse. If foster kids need more resources —and I bet they do —is this really the best that could be mustered?

We need to fix our core economic inadequacies. We need to get to the bottom of what doesn’t work. We need to deal with the big issues, such as global warming. There is a host of other must-fixes, yet the old guard just keeps dabbling in minutia. No wonder the county is so upset with Congress.

— Bill Hoffman, Seattle

Gambling with the future

Rep. Jim McDermott’s proposal to legalize Internet gambling is dangerous, unenforceable and hypocritical. If Internet gambling is offshore now, how could it be taxed?

Does McDermott need closet gamblers to fund his overspending?

Internet gambling competes with our lottery, cardrooms and casinos; it puts Washingtonians out of work and reduces our tax revenue.

Although foster programs need more funds, shouldn’t gambling taxes be used to rehabilitate the addicts who pay those taxes?

If McDermott really wants to raise revenues, he would support legalization of marijuana, which is easier to regulate, would save more than 6,000 lives in Mexico, raise more revenue and free up our police, courts and prisons to deal with violent crime.

McDermott is gambling with our future. Re-electing him would be a bad bet.

— Cliff Godwin, Seattle