From a reader:

Jonah, What I don’t understand is why the casinos have to close? After all, we are told that the reason we have to indulge the gamblers is that the casinos bring in good money for the state. If that is so, then shouldn’t they be taking in more than they spend and closing them would actually cause the state to lose money? What am I missing?

Me: I made the same point to my enchanting bride last night. While she agrees that fiscally it’s idiotic, I think she’s right on the politics. It’s problematic to ask welfare recipients, small business owners, legal immigrants, veterans et al to endure a cut-off from government aid while allowing craps players to keep rolling the bones.