Now we know what “Just Say No” is all about. I’m sure there are people who have legitimate reasons for opposing a casino in Linn County, but now we know what we suspected all along: “Just Say No” is about profit. They don’t oppose casinos. They just don’t want one here. They don’t care if people bankrupt themselves at a casino, as long as it’s at their casino. They don’t care about our restaurants and businesses, only theirs. They don’t care about us, only themselves.

They try to convince us that a casino will bring economic chaos and crime, but don’t attempt to show those things occurring in Dubuque, with two casinos, or the Quad Cities, with three, plus one in Clinton just down the road. Have all of the restaurants closed in those cities? Are the streets choked with drug dealers and prostitutes? If what they say is true, it should be easy to show it happening right now, right next door.

They want us to believe that a casino will be bad for us, but fail to show us one community that has ever had one removed because of its casino’s negative impact. The truth is that the big money behind “Just Say No” will use any scare tactic it can to keep Linn County money flowing into their pockets. Don’t be fooled. Support Linn County and vote yes on March 5.

Mark McQuade

Cedar Rapids