Dear Editor,

As I listen to the various perspectives on the January 28, 2013 referendum questions, a few thoughts continue to come to mind. The first one, it appears to be all about satisfying web shop owners. The next is, the lottery question looks to be a smoke screen or a get out the vote tactic to ensure that the web shop question successfully receives the desired Yes votes result at the end of the day.

The last is, the casino gambling question for natives is noticeably absent from the proposed ballot. The latter thought is where the beef exists for me. It is black Bahamians telling the electorate that Bahamians are not cultured enough to gamble among tourists. They say that we do not know how to behave, and all we would do is harass the other guests. How insulting. How could the black leadership in The Bahamas today continue to discriminate against the masses?

It is unconstitutional to provide casino gambling in The Bahamas for visitors and not Bahamians. It would have been a golden opportunity to resolve this matter once and for all on January 28, 2013 -- when the number kingpins hope to get their prize. I support a national lottery, web shop gaming and casino gambling for all and sundry.

The upcoming referendum is shamelessly flawed in the absence of the casino gambling question, in my view. With this in mind, this voter is not motivated to go to the polls on referendum day - January 28, 2013 - to make Flowers and company happy; and leave discrimination in place in regards to the casino gambling question for the Bahamian masses, who are primarily black people.

-- Dennis Dames

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