We obviously have a problem with basic civics knowledge in this country, and it leads to a lot of unnecessary conflict. A Jan. 29 Eagle editorial led the column with a quote from our constitution regarding lotteries and gift enterprises then went on to discuss gambling.

Our constitution was specific in this matter prohibiting two forms of risk games. It does not use the generic term gambling, so the legislature has no authority to make laws about the other forms like casinos and race tracks. As written in our constitution, lotteries are quite clear.

Gift Enterprise is also common in legal terms and is a form of lottery like raffles and bingo this is particularly clear since our constitution describes the selling of tickets to participate.

I am indifferent on the subject of all these forms of gambling, and quite comfortable if it were in the hands of the people. However, I am against constitutional ignorance, allowing anyone to claim or inflate powers and disturb our system of government where the people are the source of power.

The government is not the sovereign in this country and we should never encourage them to take action outside of power granted. It is irresponsible to propagate general ignorance in the populace. To be clear, the people of Alabama granted power to our legislature to make law prohibiting gift enterprises and lotteries this does not include poker or dog tracks. Only the people should be re-defining this via constitutional amendment. Our government is wrong in that it has banned all forms of gambling without authority.

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Raising a question about gambling prohibition - Dothan Eagle