If these benefits are seen as indirect government subsidies, that paves the way for government to impose strings on nonprofits and raises a host of other questions, not the least of which would be charges of government support of religion.
The nonprofit sector does offer real diversity, but this could quickly change if we get careless in how we think about the relationship between it and government.
Marie C. Malaro
Centreville
Why reward smokers who aren't wise enough to quit?
Where can I get in the line for a tobacco settlement ("High court rejects tobacco company in its appeal of $1.1 million award," June 30)?
Like hundreds of thousands of others, I smoked for many years. However, like hundreds of thousands of others, I quit smoking in 1984 when the dangers of tobacco had been made clear in study after study, my father developed emphyzema and friends began to get cancer.
It seems that I should have continued to smoke so that I could now sue the tobacco companies and get a multi-million, or even multi-billion-dollar settlement.
We've known the dangers of smoking for nearly 40 years. Why should people be rewarded for such stupid behavior as continuing to smoke? What has become of personal responsibility?
Hal Franklin
Towson
New ownership could save state's troubled racetracks
The New York Racing Association will lower the take-out on a win/place/show wager to 14 percent beginning on July 25. The move is intended to spur wagering, especially at out-of-state sites.
Last summer the Maryland Jockey Club increased the same fee to a staggering 18 percent to pay for improvements such as a cigar bar at Laurel.
It doesn't take an expert handicapper to know which approach will succeed.
If Maryland Jockey Club President Joe DeFrancis truly wants to increase attendance, he should announce he is selling the business. Pimlico would be filled with potential buyers and we would be spared the constant whining about slots.
Robert H. Lee
Pasadena
