The Tribune

VIEW FROM AFAR

By JOHN ISSA

ON FEBRUARY 24, this column called for the legalising of the lottery and numbers business.

It was therefore gratifying to see members of clergy speaking out and supporting the position advocated by this column.

We believe that this recent support for legalising gambling for local residents from members of the clergy reflects the opinion of the vast majority of the Bahamian people.

The huge wave of public sentiment has up to now been held back by the dyke of the Church's influence and opposition to local gambling. Successive governments have been unwilling to try to breach this dyke.

Although most church-goers ignored their Church's admonishing not to play the numbers or lottery, political parties up to now have been unwilling to chance the wrath of the churches by introducing legal lotteries or numbers.

But as Bob Dylan said in his famous song "the times they are a-changing", this change is demonstrated by the recent support by a number of pastors.

The dyke of opposition has sprung a leak. Rather than slowly waiting for it to collapse on its own, let's take the action necessary to breach the dyke, legalise these activities and collect the much needed taxes that the treasury so desperately needs.

The time has come. Why wait?