Well said. While I am not fond of wasting money on the lotto, we all waste money on less practical things.
I'm all for the right to spend/waste one's money however one chooses. But the government should not be promoting or participating in such activity.
I hear what you are saying and agree. People are free to get their entertainment however the choose. The $2 a week lotto player is not who I was referring to, though. $2 a week on anything is never going to amount to a problem. I am talking about the $50+ per week players, like these regulars I see in my corner store all the time (I drink a lot of beers). They cash their paychecks at the store and spend $60 on scratch off tickets. You are right, they are free to do whatever they want with their money, but I still see it as the state scamming stupid people. I guess a stupid-tax isn't the worst thing in the world... And I shouldn't have said that the lottery is like paying a dollar for a chance to win $0.55, I should have said it's like the state saying "give me a dollar and I'll give you $0.55."
I am more disturbed by the fact that part of our EDUCATIONAL system is funded by the friggin lottery.
Lottery ticket purchases are not taxes. They are GIFTS and they are not tax-deductible because there is an expectation of something in return....! In fact, they are tax-free, no? You pay no sales tax on a lottery ticket, do you? I don't play regularly but I've probably bought half a dozen in my lifetime on a wild hair. Every few.... weeks?.... some family has the opportunity to change their financial life around. What's really stupid is how that can/has ruined a lot of people.
