A column written by Tray Smith in the Sept. 17 edition of The Crimson White bashed a gubernatorial candidate and his plan to help fund a scholarship program this state desperately needs. That candidate is Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, who promises he will bring an education lottery to Alabama similar to the programs in every state that we border.  While the author mentioned the social negatives, which are always exaggerated, he did not provide a solution or provide support for the other candidate (local dermatologist Robert Bentley).

Sparks, whom anyone that attended last week could tell you dominated the debate despite his grammatical errors, is attacked from many angles in the article.

First off, the notion that people are going to continue to cross state lines if the lottery and other forms of gambling are legalized is ridiculous. Secondly, people are going to gamble regardless. Why should the state not allow its residents a chance to tax some of this money and use it for education?

Many will vote for Bentley because they feel it is their duty to support the Republican party regardless of the fact that Bentley’s only plan is to create a Director of Small Business and not take a salary until unemployment is severely reduced. Last time I checked, the position he proposes creating only creates one job; and according to Bentley’s tax return, he rakes in over $210,000 a year, which leaves him with plenty to live comfortably on without the $100,000 annual salary he could make as governor.

In February, a statewide poll was collected by the Birmingham News, and 72 percent of Alabamians supported legalizing some form of gambling as long as it was regulated and taxed.

Allow Dr. Bentley to tackle tough issues such as acne, and let Ron Sparks help bring the state something it has needed for a long time to come.

Taylor Ashy is a senior majoring in finance.