The way to stop city’s gang problem is to end the war on drugs

New U.S. Attorney Zach Fardon was correct when he declared Wednesday, “I do not believe federal law enforcement is the panacea” to Chicago’s gang problem. But it was disappointing to further read that he said there is a need for creative solutions to the “causes of the gang problem in Chicago . . . poverty, education, lack of job opportunities and sometimes failures in parenting.”

Fardon neglected to mention the biggest cause of the gang problem: the war on drugs that this nation’s government has been waging for more than 40 years. If there were no drug war, there’d be almost no gang problem.

As in the days of this nation’s war on alcohol known as Prohibition, the war on drugs has spawned political and police corruption and given rise to violent gangs. The nation ended the war on alcohol. We should also end the war on drugs.

Steve Stanek, McHenry

The wealthy unpunished again

J.P. Morgan Chase paid $13 billion in fines after the mortgage debacle that destroyed the lives of millions of Americans. No people went to jail. The corporation will take an income tax deduction for its fine. This will force taxpayers to pay a major portion of that fine. Once again, the wealthy escape any true consequences for their misdeeds while the un-wealthy pay the price.

Karen Wagner, Rolling Meadows

Casinos not good for community

While many lawmakers argue that more casinos are a great way to acquire revenue and lower property taxes, I beg to differ. Casinos may be a great way to create jobs in communities, but they hurt small businesses. Casinos bring a variety of other unwanted consequences, such as gambling addictions, and are not a solid source of economic development, seeing as how most of the jobs created are low-paying. Studies show that there is a decrease in property value and an increase in divorce, poverty, suicide and bankruptcy in areas where casinos are located.

Raven Robinson, West Chesterfield