> And I know exactly what that costs: Before I was an economist, I was a teenager working for bookies on Australian racetracks. I once took five dollars from a

> And I know exactly what that costs: Before I was an economist, I was a teenager working for bookies on Australian racetracks. I once took five dollars from a coworker who “didn’t bet” and put it on number one in the next race. Six months later he was betting thousands a race and stealing from his own family. Compulsive gambling destroys lives — and the families it wrecks have no lobbyists. > I don’t claim to know the exact right policy answer for America. But I know we never even had a grown-up debate. If you've seen the destruction caused by something and can't figure it out, maybe you have a problem? And let's be honest: the idea of "debating" things that are obvious is often one of the primary ways by which indefensible things are legitimized.