NEWS - Power mad politicians: a losing bet

Atlantic City's casinos closed Wednesday. State law doesn't permit them to operate without inspectors, and a budget impasse means those inspectors can't be paid. There has been much hand-wringing about the tourists making a beeline to Foxwoods or other casinos, tourist dollars leaving the state with them, and lost jobs and taxes as a result.

What is ignored in all the moaning is that this is a problem CAUSED by the state. The state could simply repeal the law mandating the inspectors' constant presence. It could even be a temporary exemption for the duration of the budget crisis. Even if you concede that it's probable that the mob would move in instantly to skim casino profits (a point I doubt--especially if the inspectors would be returning and casinos' licenses thus jeopardized), the benefits of keeping the tourism industry healthy would likely outweigh the drawbacks.

Of course, this would require the acrimonious politicians to behave rationally, would require said legislators give up a little power, even temporarily, for the good of the people, and would suggest the government's constant supervision might actually not be necessary. So I rate the chances of that as slim to none.