Harrah's has spent over $5 million so far in its campaign to gain the exclusive right to own and operate a casino in Rhode Island.

We've all seen the ads on television and in the print media. Has anyone seen an ad yet that was true? Every time I've taken the trouble to give a little thought to the ad, I realize that it's either false or a huge exaggeration.

For example, by now almost everyone understands that there is not $144 million of constitutionally guaranteed property-tax relief. Everyone knows that there is no dollar figure in the proposal and that the amount given to property-tax relief will be little or nothing. We will be given a tale of woe as the profits go into the pockets of Harrah's and their political supporters in Rhode Island. The first order of business will be to reimburse Harrah's for the money spent on the campaign.

Another example is the promise of high-paying jobs. By now everyone realizes this is also a false promise. The smart businessmen from Harrah's will bring in their own highly skilled people to build and operate the casino. To do anything else would be stupid. Harrah's didn't get to be the largest casino operator in America by being stupid.

A third example is the concept that we owe the Narragansetts something: that there have been broken promises.

We owe the Narragansetts nothing. We currently give the Narragansetts millions of dollars per year from federal tax money. Yes, the government reaches into my pocket and your pocket and takes our money and gives it to the Narragansetts. Why they do that I have no idea. What the Narragansetts do with it I also have no idea.

According to Matthew Thomas, 85 percent of his people live in poverty and don't have adequate health care. Yet the Narragansetts continue to fund a tribal police force that rides around in high priced SUVs. The Narragansetts continue to fund expensive festivals. Don't misunderstand me. I think it's great that a group of people gets together and has an expensive festival. But they should pay for it with their own money -- not my money.

At a recent press conference Matthew Thomas was asked what would happen if Harrah's does a bad job running the casino. Thomas told us not to worry because the Narragansetts will throw out Harrah's. What a joke.

Can you imagine the Narragansetts doing anything to Harrah's? Harrah's will brush the Narragansetts aside like a fly.

TOM FOLEY

Westerly