Journal opposes Wynn!

Surprisingly, and unlike most area newspapers, the Journal newspapers have today endorsed John McKinnis, the Republican opponent of incumbent 4th district Rep. Albert R. Wynn. The main reason seems to be Wynn's support for casino gambling.

The Journal argues that casinos would bring organized crime and corruption that would "tend to scare away legitimate businesses that are needed to provide a secure tax base and good, long-term jobs for local residents."

Organized crime, even if it did accompany casinos, would not make much difference. Just look at what has happened in the greater Oxon Hill, Fort Washington, Temple Hills, Suitland, Clinton area in the last few years.

• Numerous murders, including business owners killed on the job, most unsolved.
• Many major stores have closed and have not been replaced by other revenue-producing businesses.
• The Marlow Heights theaters recently closed--a loss that was ignored by the press amid the hoopla surrounding new theaters in another part of the county.

We already have the crime, corruption, and scared legitimate businesses, but without the revune casinos would bring. It's hard to see how they would make things worse.