Letter: Neal’s vendetta against casinos is foolish, futile

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999 | 12:16 p.m.

Don Quixote-state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, is at it again.

Recently he introduced bills to raise taxes on our gaming industry, stop political contributions from casinos and repeal the 1997 tax-break law for art dealers.

I contend Neal's motives are impure and politically motivated. Why this unwise, personal vendetta against the casinos -- our main industry?

I say Neal is seeking revenge because the casinos neither endorsed, supported nor financially backed his run for governor last year -- not a cent from any.

Rightfully, Neal lost. And rightfully, other legislators refused to co-sponsor these bills.

In the past this same Neal eagerly, gladly accepted over $10,000 in campaign money from the same casinos he now virulently, vitriolicly, vehemently attacks.

Further, Neal is anti our family safety, because he advocates making a money deal with Washington, D.C., to store nuclear waste in Nevada.

Nor has Neal ever publicly denied (he was asked) receiving campaign money last year from the nuclear waste industry, et al. Let Neal answer the question.

I opine Neal is bereft of common sense and shows an inane, pathetic reasoning in attacking the casinos.

The tragedy in this is that Neal's constituencies will also suffer for his folly. This is unfortunate, but we live in a pragmatic world. Here are the facts, "written in stone."

The gaming industry considers Joe Neal "persona non grata."

Neal's present course is doomed to fail.

Clyde Dinkins

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