Lottery passes in my state...

Brwn_eyes0511 · #1 09-02-2005, 12:30 AM

Well, the lottery is now officially in the state of NC!

I have mixed feelings about it...I see both pros and cons.

How do you guys feel about the lottery?

ShangriLaTroubl · #2 09-02-2005, 12:37 AM

Well to me it really depends on the individual state, and what they are using the money to fund. In GA former Gov. Zell Miller introduced the lottery to fund higher education. It worked tremendously and still does. His proposal, introduced the HOPE scholarship in GA, which guarantees that EVERY student in Georgia that maintains a "B" average and/or a 3.0 GPA will have their entire public college education paid for, no matter what your financial status. If you lose the "B" average while in college, you lose the scholarship.
It has worked for many years, although recently with lottery sales down in GA there has been funding worries, but my first 2 yrs of college were paid for. They also give you an alotted amount of money for books, so it's great. Now that I'm in Calif, of course I have no such opportunity.
So if your state is using the lottery to fund something like this my opinion is that is great.

Brwn_eyes0511 · #3 09-02-2005, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShangriLaTroubl

Well to me it really depends on the individual state, and what they are using the money to fund. In GA former Gov. Zell Miller introduced the lottery to fund higher education. It worked tremendously and still does. His proposal, introduced the HOPE scholarship in GA, which guarantees that EVERY student in Georgia that maintains a "B" average and/or a 3.0 GPA will have their entire public college education paid for, no matter what your financial status. If you lose the "B" average while in college, you lose the scholarship.
It has worked for many years, although recently with lottery sales down in GA there has been funding worries, but my first 2 yrs of college were paid for. They also give you an alotted amount of money for books, so it's great. Now that I'm in Calif, of course I have no such opportunity.
So if your state is using the lottery to fund something like this my opinion is that is great.

Yea that is true. And NC is using it for education which is great...

But my deal is that it targets the poor...
creates even more problems for those who have gambling addiction already...

and last but not least...

you might have to stand in the damn gas station longer to pay for you gas because there will be a longer line...haha

ShangriLaTroubl · #4 09-02-2005, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Yea that is true. And NC is using it for education which is great...

But my deal is that it targets the poor...
creates even more problems for those who have gambling addiction already...

and last but not least...

you might have to stand in the damn gas station longer to pay for you gas because there will be a longer line...haha

True but I say they are going to have a gambling addiction likely anyway, you might as well get some education funding out of them instead of having them illegally gamble...

And yes longer lines, although in GA most gas stations have a seperate lottery line, except for scratch offs....plus u can always pay at the pump now

Brwn_eyes0511 · #5 09-02-2005, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShangriLaTroubl

True but I say they are going to have a gambling addiction likely anyway, you might as well get some education funding out of them instead of having them illegally gamble...

And yes longer lines, although in GA most gas stations have a seperate lottery line, except for scratch offs....plus u can always pay at the pump now

Yea that’s true.

I guess my biggest concern is how it really targets the poor. I mean you have really low income families who now see a chance to spend a dollar, or five, or ten to take a chance on becoming wealthy. The problem comes when the end of the week gets here and its time to buy groceries and all you have is twenty dollars...do you take a few of that out for the lottery?

I think that it is a cycle that could be very hurtful to poor families.

Also it was very political how it was done in my state...it was a 24/25 vote that the lottery passed. And two members were not even there to vote (two members who were against the lottery). One was on his honeymoon the other was extremely ill and could not make it to session that day. Funny how it was THAT day they decided to take a vote on that bill...

ShangriLaTroubl · #6 09-02-2005, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Yea that’s true.

I guess my biggest concern is how it really targets the poor. I mean you have really low income families who now see a chance to spend a dollar, or five, or ten to take a chance on becoming wealthy. The problem comes when the end of the week gets here and its time to buy groceries and all you have is twenty dollars...do you take a few of that out for the lottery?

I think that it is a cycle that could be very hurtful to poor families.

Also it was very political how it was done in my state...it was a 24/25 vote that the lottery passed. And two members were not even there to vote (two members who were against the lottery). One was on his honeymoon the other was extremely ill and could not make it to session that day. Funny how it was THAT day they decided to take a vote on that bill...

Another problem you may have is if the lottery is designed in your state to "fund education" without a specific program like for example, the HOPE scholarship for it to go for. The GA lottery goes solely for that. When it becomes too general and the lottery is "just to help fund education" you will probably have a problem with the money being wasted...is there a specific program in mind for your lottery?

And to the poor people. You know it just comes to a point I guess when adults just have to make their own decisions, and they are going to make them. I just don't think you can worry about that. It's freedom, take it or leave it. Some people abuse it, some don't. If people are so dumb that they spend their whole check on lottery, then that's just their problem in my opinion....you can't force people to be responsible.

Chris

amber · #7 09-02-2005, 12:53 AM

It's a snow over racket in Cali, but I like it. By that I mean, they don't give hardly as much money as they promised to for education.

WildInTheWind · #8 09-02-2005, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Well, the lottery is now officially in the state of NC!

I have mixed feelings about it...I see both pros and cons.

How do you guys feel about the lottery?

The lottery sucks! I never win.

jannieC · #9 09-02-2005, 10:45 AM

I'm in NC too, (lived in NY for 27 years, though) and I am THRILLED about the lottery. It's about time this state did something to help with our pitiful school system.

As far as the issue of poor people, I agree wholeheartedly with Shangrila.

I love, love, LOVE the way it was passed, btw.

What kills me are the people who get all biblical about it. This from a state that has a topless bar and massage parlor on every corner.

Brwn_eyes0511 · #10 09-02-2005, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

I'm in NC too, (lived in NY for 27 years, though) and I am THRILLED about the lottery. It's about time this state did something to help with our pitiful school system.

As far as the issue of poor people, I agree wholeheartedly with Shangrila.

I love, love, LOVE the way it was passed, btw.

What kills me are the people who get all biblical about it. This from a state that has a topless bar and massage parlor on every corner.

That is true I understand what you are saying.

I think we really do need something to help out or school systems and it is about time for that. But I still am a little uneasy about the whole thing...but I think I will get used to it.

WildInTheWind · #11 09-02-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

That is true I understand what you are saying.

I think we really do need something to help out or school systems and it is about time for that. But I still am a little uneasy about the whole thing...but I think I will get used to it.

I didn't realize that the lottery was a big deal. I don't really get it.

I guess we have had it here in St. Louis ever since I can remember. I thought everyone did.

jannieC · #12 09-02-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildInTheWind

I didn't realize that the lottery was a big deal. I don't really get it.

I guess we have had it here in St. Louis ever since I can remember. I thought everyone did.

I think we are the only state that didn't have one.

DavidMn · #13 09-02-2005, 02:11 PM

I am not a gambler for the most part. All 3 times I've been in Las Vegas, Stevie's millenium show, Fleetwood Mac in '03,and Stevie this past May, I didnt spend one nickel on gambling. That being said, it doesnt bother me all that much. It's just not for me. I'd rather blow my money on concerts or something alse that will leave me with a tangible memory rather thatn maybe winning it gambling.