Letters: Casino puts county at a crossroad; Absolute power corrupts absolutely

Casino puts county at a crossroad

I strongly oppose the proposed casino at the Nittany Mall. Considering the current rapid pace of growth and development in the Centre Region, any major project, including a casino, needs to be weighed against the values of the community. As a longtime resident of the Centre Region, I share with many others the value of a healthy natural environment — clean air and water, lots of open green space, abundant forests and aesthetically pleasing landscapes — as well as a robust social and cultural environment comprised of abundant walking paths and bike lanes, clean public transportation, small independent businesses, parks, and institutions that foster healthy personal and community growth.

The community finds itself at a crossroad of values: Will we choose a path that promotes personal growth, a healthy ecosystem, and meaningful relationships with others as well as with the natural world? Or will we take the darker road that risks — through potential gambling addiction, increased traffic, pollution, construction, and other means — the health of individuals, communities and local ecosystems?

Please do not allow development of the proposed casino to proceed.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

We must understand by now that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is evident in Putin but happens with any autocrat that gets dominant control of his party and the levers of power within a government. Certain democracies are more vulnerable to degradation into autocracies, in particular presidential systems and semi-presidential systems. Putting one person in charge without a fairly easy way to remove them is a formula for failure at some point or other. Parliamentary democracies are less subjected to this particular vulnerability. The Swiss realized this problem long ago, they elect seven people to be in charge, not one.

Expecting a leader’s party’s legislators to vote against him is a poor bet. It’s become obvious that people in legislatures who want to get reelected are subject to threat of not getting reelected by the leader of their party. In general, they are willing to compromise their morals and their oath to their country and the constitution in order to stay in office. They will proclaim their fealty to the corrupt party leader who has developed a cult of personality. This shows another vulnerability. If getting reelected were not an option that threat would not hold.

There is only one still fully functional democratic presidential democracy, Costa Rica. They do not allow presidents or legislators to hold more than one consecutive term of office.

These are many problems in our democracy that have been solved by other top functioning democracies, we should learn from them.

Preserving nature

Thanks for the recent front page article about Gray’s Woods Preserve. An excellent example of keeping alive and protecting our natural resources. Appreciate all the efforts put forth by ClearWater Conservancy and the Hamer Foundation to make it happen.

Let’s hope we see more of this action by those who care for the environment and less destruction like the the possible loss of all or much of Pine Hall Woods.

That 200 year old forest, between Science Park Road and Blue Course Road in Ferguson Township, is destined to be lost or at least partially gone for a new development. It should be saved in its entirety or in later years we’ll all be sorry for our loss. Especially as the need for clean air and water reaches top priority over concrete and tarmac.