Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Quayle: Families lose with gaming

Most American communities, and the families who live in them, are better off without casinos, said former Vice President Dan Quayle, author of a book on family values.

"People who can least afford it want to participate," Quayle said Tuesday during a phone interview from New York City. "People who can afford it should go to Las Vegas."

Given the nationwide spread of gambling, however, Quayle supports a proposal in Congress to form a federal gaming commission.

He said the commission should have limited subpoena power to audit casino books, which the industry opposes, fearing audits will lead to governmental prying not imposed on other lawful businesses.

Quayle at first said he opposes subpoena power but then added, "You don't need a lot of subpoena power" unless investigators "don't get cooperation."

Quayle, on a 33-city book-signing tour, is set to autograph copies of "The American Family: Discovering the Values That Make Us Strong," at noon Monday at Borders Books Music Cafe, 1445 W. Sunset Road, in Henderson.

The book, co-written with Diane Medved, author of "The Case Against Divorce," explores how five families have remained intact.

Much of the book restates traditional values and won't startle most readers -- parents are urged not to divorce so children won't be neglected -- but a section that advocates spanking as a form of discipline has created controversy.

Some experts believe spanking can equate to child abuse in extreme cases, and many parents are opposed to letting authority figures outside the home, such as teachers, spank their children.

Quayle, who thinks principals should be allowed to spank students, believes detractors are missing the big picture.

"A little whack in the appropriate place works," said Quayle, who spanked his three children before they reached teenage years. "We're not condoning child abuse."

Quayle thrust himself into the family-values spotlight in May 1992 during a campaign stop in San Francisco when he criticized the entertainment "elite" for giving credence to nontraditional values.

He blasted TV sitcom character Murphy Brown for "mocking the importance of fathers by bearing a child alone and calling it just another lifestyle choice."

While opponents ridiculed him for that remark, Quayle emerged as a spokesman for conservatives hoping to force family issues into the political forefront.

In his role as author and newspaper columnist, Quayle, whose misstatements reportedly frightened the Bush administration into curtailing his public appearances, is not hesitant to comment on elements that he thinks work against family unity.

Asked if gambling contributes to family problems, Quayle said he "would not encourage communities to get involved in gambling."

In addition to a writing career, Quayle is active in Republican Sen. Bob Dole's candidacy for president.

Quayle said President Clinton, who leads in public opinion polls, may have created an advantage for Dole by vetoing a bill that would have banned so-called partial birth abortions.

"It's a grotesque situation," Quayle said of the procedure. "Clinton caved in to the abortion zealots."

Quayle, 49, also confirmed published reports that he will run for president in a future election.

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