Opinion: Navajo Nation targets its own with casino business

In a recent op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal, Ben Shelly, the Navajo Nation president, extols the economic blessings of tribal casino gambling, saying, “Our success also has a significant and very positive impact on the economies of surrounding communities.”

“Significant,” yes; “positive,” no.

All the communities where they were invaded by casinos in this state and elsewhere can attest to the economic damage done to their communities by the casinos.

If casinos were an economic generator, Nevada would be a paradise of economic prosperity, instead of the national leader in home foreclosures and bankruptcies and a state budget full of red ink.

Also, Atlantic City would be a glittering beacon of commerce, instead of a slum surrounding a dozen or so casinos, some of which Gov. Chris Christie is bailing out of bankruptcy with state tax revenue.

Part of the reason for Shelly’s op-ed is that the compact negotiations with the state are falling apart. Legislative leaders are talking about throwing out the proposed Navajo compacts and starting over.