Tennessee may cap lottery winnings at $600 for poor

Comment #81

Empress-N — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:36:48 GMT

I couldn't agree with you more Wiseone2.

It just shows than the government wants to keep some people always at poverty level without an apportunity to rise above their present livety. It's pure politics eg. Clinton took people off of welfare and put them into work programs to get jobs and Bush came along and put them right back in poverty. This mess never ends. If anyone in that state on public assistance ever wins my advice to them would be. to hold the winning ticket do not reinstate for be... [ More ]

Comment #80

Texas Joey — Sat, 16 May 2009 04:26:27 GMT

How is the Tennessee Lottery going to know who has money and who don't!! I know millionaires here in Texas that look like they are poor. That is taking away our freedom of choice!! Get with the program Tennessee....Let people do what they wont to with their own money!

Joey

Comment #79

computerhead723 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:52:23 GMT

somewhere in your statement I am sure you think that people whoever they are should not be penilized for spending their income on what ever they choose ;

after all lottery money is better than drugs or card games ..or sending it overseas to forign nations ....fix the lottery so that people are always looking at the Big business behind the lottery and not at the nickels and dimes people spend from food stamp money

Comment #78

pn3235 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:15:25 GMT

I think this is a great idea.People who can't afford to pay there way in this world then then sure should play on our dollar.

Comment #77

Raven62 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:40:22 GMT

Don't poor people spend a higher percentage of their incomes on lottery tickets than those of greater means?

Poor people spend a larger proportion of their income than wealthy people on any item having a fixed price and general appeal. Poor people pay proportionately more for food, medicine, clothing, utilities, insurance, and housing, as well as for payroll and sales taxes. People who are well-off, on the other hand, spend a higher percentage of their income on things that the poor cannot... [ More ]

Comment #76

KY Floyd — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:14:57 GMT

You're 100% right that the government shouldn't be telling people what they can spend their money on. The problem is that if somebody is getting public assistance they're spending our money. If somebody is collecting public assistance and they can still manage to spend money on things that aren't essential, that's absolute proof that they don't need as much as they're being given. If you win a lottery prize with your money the prize should be yours. If you win it with my money, why would you be... [ More ]

Comment #75

SmoothJuice — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 06:06:00 GMT

The lottery is not a right, it's a privilege!!!!! @_@

What's a Constatution

Comment #74

LANTERN — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:33:10 GMT

THey are wrong, if they can buy tickets then they can win whatever the prize might be, if they are not allowed to buy tickets then they can't win anything of course, unless somebody buys the ticket for them, then maybe they could share the money.

But they don't ID people who buy lottery tickets.

If they are FREE to buy, then they should also be Free to fully win.

If they don't want those people to buy tickets with that money, then don't give them money, just food stamps, Rent Stamps and... [ More ]

Comment #73

bashley572 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:22:53 GMT

ok, are they STILL on welfare?? or did they win enough they dont need to/want to be on any more

Comment #72

louise black — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:40:28 GMT

You are so right , that what i am talking about American people with heart not afraid to speak up when and where it's needed. Good for you. may God bless you hopfully you might be a winner one dayPeace -out

Comment #71

foragoodcause — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:29:50 GMT

Someone i knew told me she had a friend on welfare who won a lot of money playing numbers.

Comment #70

numberchaser — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:16:21 GMT

What a shame, If you are a working american and lose your job and have a 401k the government take majority of that money this is the money that you have to live off of until you find a job, you have no fed or state assistance. To take away the winnings from people that receive food stamps is shameful and this make me very upset. I don't receive food stamps. Just think the state is just giving you $200 worth of food stamps and you have a home to pay for,utilities,clothes etc. And if you have more... [ More ]

Comment #69

savagegoose — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:32:34 GMT

every lotto player in TN should boycott the tickets until they come to their senses a few weeks of no lotto sales of any kind and the state will be needing man nappies.

Comment #68

savagegoose — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:30:12 GMT

land of the free , home of the ... crushed under boots. i take it smokes, drugs and alcohol are all still fine then

Comment #67

mjwinsmith — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:41:26 GMT

You got that right

Comment #66

bashley572 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:27:27 GMT

NY does the following (NY Web site)

Will Child Support and Public Assistance be withheld from my prize?

If you are identified by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) as owing past due child support and/or having received public assistance in the last 10 years, the Lottery is required by Section 1613-a(4) of the New York State tax law to withhold money from your Lottery prize(s) of $600 or more.

Comment #65

PrisonerSix — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:47:43 GMT

I think this is just crazy. I hope it doesn't pass.

From jackpot prizes, Louisiana deducts any child support owed, which is a good thing I think.

Comment #64

LckyLary — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:33:51 GMT

Sounds like anything where you'd have to FILE CLAIM is what would be not allowed. Many people play multiple times the same number that if it wins, they would not have to claim, but would win in total more than $600. I have even had agents chide me for playing STR BOX on one line because I'd have to also claim the BOX. The people are still going to spend but on multiple Pick-3's, and if they do buy a ticket for a big jackpot and win, will probably have a family member claim it in exchange for a s... [ More ]

Comment #63

cwygirltx — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:00:35 GMT

I think Tennesse is trying to become communist!!! Taking away the freedom we fought and died for. That is freedom of choice!! What is the problem with them!! Greed is Bad. And taking away the rights of others is aginst the constatution

Comment #62

TnTicketlosers — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:34:32 GMT

Where the crooks are is in the Tennessee Lottery office.When they stop her from stealing from the people you wont have a problem.....Now come back and bash me I'm ready....

Comment #61

awwcrap — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:15:49 GMT

George Orwell-1984. We got alot of control freaks in our govt

Comment #60

DoctorEw220 — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:54:52 GMT

You know what's funny about this. A lot of people call the lottery a tax on the poor. This bill will never pass. It will be too costly for the lottery. You cannot deny someone something that it rightfully theirs just because they get help from the government. I can understand if the state wants to take away or limit someone's assistance because of a big win, but that's cheating people out of a chance at a big prize just because they need help. It's just as bad as when the lotteries were selling... [ More ]

Comment #59

dopey7719 — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:11:22 GMT

I'm considered the working poor with an addition to playing at least 1 quick pick twice a week. God forbid I should get laid off and have to get unemployment welfare. If I do and continue to play my 2 dollars a week....and the government gives me 600 out of 20 million.....I WILL BE ON THE 6:00PM NEWS....and it won't be pretty

Comment #58

computerhead723 — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:06:51 GMT

your right ....more people need to speak out against the Bullying of low income people ;

Lets Crash FOX news they hammer everything the poor do...while expressing love for big business and causing division

here in America ....when banks steal and throw people out on the street we dont punish them hen they make over $$600

or 600 million ....people dont know when their being played @ were suckers for the hype ;

lets beat up on the so called welfare reciepients while ; THE MEDICAL/HEAL... [ More ]

Comment #57

myturn — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:44:28 GMT

Tennesseans can get around this by buying a subscription to the Massachusetts Lottery games. If corporations can get billions in welfare, even before the crises, what is wrong with the little guy getting a little, and it is very very little. Rep. Stacey Campfield should get her knickers in a twist about the big boys, or have campaign donors bought both sides

Comment #56

SmoothJuice — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:54:28 GMT

I'm not pessimistic. I think people on welfare are lazy. My friend is a single father of 3 children and he has 2 part-time jobs; he's not on welfare and he's not lazy.

I get low pay but I'm not dumb enough to have kids yet. I wait until I get a good steady job. When you buy Liquor, Cigarettes and Lottery on welfare money, you're defeating the purpose of welfare money. I was disgusted when I saw a mother today who yelled at her kids that she couldn't have a 99 cent candy bar and she hungry. In... [ More ]

Comment #55

petergrfn — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:58:21 GMT

People who win the lotto and are on welfare should pay back what they got from the Gov't but NOT everything they win! The state seems to love to keep poor folks down and to make more people poorer. How does this help anyone? Say someone wins 100 grand and the state gives 600 to the winner. Do you think the state will use the money wisely? NO it will be squandered like all tax money. Huge taxes on people who make wealth (earned or won) doesn't help poor people only makes more people poor. If spre... [ More ]

Comment #54

Think — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:18:49 GMT

I wonder what kind of waste, fraud, abuse and corruption The Tennessee Legislature is up to when they have to resort to diversionary tactics like this to get the voters to fight amongst themselves while ignoring what is going on in Tennessee government. Perhaps I am on the wrong track but look at how effective this was at getting people to fight amongst themselves while ignoring the Tenn government. I'm glad I don't live in Tennessee but I am sure something else is probably going on up here too.... [ More ]

Comment #53

louise black — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:50:45 GMT

I am outrage at the fact that some of you people say that asistance shouldn't be given the poor and needy. where your compassion this maybe the land of milk and honey but we still have people sleeping on the street and children that goes to bed hungry The people should be OUTRAGE in Tenn.at this injustice bestowed upon them by lottery official. Yes if anyone on welfare as you put it wins the lottery they should get their money just like any one else. what the HELL wrong with you people agreeing... [ More ]

Comment #52

Littleoldlady — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:49:29 GMT

With limits like that almost half the people here are qualified for welfare. But, I don't see how they have those numbers and they actually do not give much assistance to the poor. Maybe those are the numbers for the rich poor. You know, the ones who lost their money in the stock market.

Comment #51

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:45:31 GMT

I've fallen under the limit for welfare for the past year or so but I won't take it. I seriously couldn't take the stink of it. This fascist system is out of control. I'll live or die a free man.

Comment #50

Littleoldlady — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:29:19 GMT

Check out these requirements for welfare in Tn. They are mind boggling!

Program Description

Families First is Tennessee's welfare reform plan that replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. The temporary cash assistance program emphasizes work, training, and personal responsibility. As part of the Families First program, each participant must agree to follow a Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP). Unless a participant is exempt from the work requirement, he/she must... [ More ]

Comment #49

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:28:15 GMT

Real communism has never been tried on a large scale... that was all fascism/oligarchy, but I've had a lot of fun on small comunes where everyone considers each other equal. Very peaceful... happy times.

Comment #48

maringoman — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:19:27 GMT

Tennessee is just going to hell. Who are they to discourage people from engaging in a perfectly legal game? This is just communism in disguise. As long as people on welfare do not go asking for extra money before they are eligible for more they have the right to do whatever they wish with it.

Comment #47

flpirates — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:00:35 GMT

This Campfield guy is such a jerk he has rental property in Knoxville that is slum housing and won't fix the problems so some college kids had to take him to court to get the stuff fixed. Stay out of peoples business Campfield and fix your slum housing

Comment #46

DC81 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:00:30 GMT

I think some here apparently think that all Welfare/Food stamp recipients are deadbeats who are too lazy to get a job despite the fact there are many single, tax paying parents out there who have children and do in fact work, sometimes more than one job and still need assistance be it food stamps or Medi-cade. The real problem IS those who are just comfortable suckling at the government teat or actually have kids so they can get more money and continue to receive it or flat out abuse the system

Comment #45

Perfecttiming2 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:47:32 GMT

I'll take the Powerball plus 5 matching numbers tonight Alex for $100! (If you're not a fan of Tyler Perry's movies, you won't get it ) .......

Hi OldSchoolPa!

I love that!......and I'm a big TP fan too

Comment #44

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:33:07 GMT

Thank you Little.

Comment #43

Littleoldlady — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:30:12 GMT

I know a LOT of folks on welfare and they aren't driving SUV's anything else close to that. Most of them I know ride the bus or walk. They get a meager amount of cash from the state and the rest is made up in food stamps which DO NOT last for the whole month if they have over 2 children and heaven forbid if one of those children is a teenager.(eating machine). They shop (if at all) at the local goodwill, flea markets, etc. Their children are the ones who wear one outfit one week and the other ou... [ More ]

Comment #42

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:18:00 GMT

Or... maybe poor people can work hard enough to just be able to afford a nice freaking car if they save for a year or two.

Wait.. that requires thought beyond corporate media propaganda and racist/classist prejudices.

Nevermind...

Comment #41

computerhead723 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:12:07 GMT

Boy TOPCOP 38 YOU SURE BRING BACK THE DAYS OF RACIAL HATERED ...WITH YOUR OPINIONS ABOUT WHO LIVES WHERE AND WHAT THEY DRIVE .....I lived in Pittsburg and I had a lot of both professional and personal contact with the so called projects ?!!

first of all its public housing availible to any who qualify ......including forign nationals ;

and did you ever think that those nice cars came from vistors or mabey they had it before they moved in the housing unit not to mention people work there who... [ More ]

Comment #40

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:01:38 GMT

But your own laws and lack of enforcing laws created the very situation you despise. I'm afraid when you finally get it it will be too late. The poor are not your enemy.

Comment #39

TOPCOP38 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:58:08 GMT

I certainly don't agree with people abusing a system and defrauding usout of our money. You should have reported the fraud. Personally I'venever seen anyone on food stamps driving a cadilac or an SUV with 25inch rims (smaller tires are better people... think), but I'm sure ithappens.

In Re:

You come to my city , the City of Pittsburgh and I will take you for a short drive thru ALL the projects and lower economic neighborhoods and show you these Cadillacs, SUV'S .The people in the... [ More ]

Comment #38

ThatScaryChick — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:53:23 GMT

Eliminate food stamps and welfare? So we should just let people starve and lose their housing? There are bad apples who are abusing the system, but there are good, decent people who are on welfare and need it. So you think we should punish everyone because of what the bad people are doing? Tell me, what will happen to those who truly need help? The ones who lost their jobs, the ones who have children to feed. Should we just let those people starve? What is your great plan to help those people in... [ More ]

Comment #37

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:45:28 GMT

Yeah we've all seen the Maddoff charade. Thanks.

Comment #36

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:44:37 GMT

I certainly don't agree with people abusing a system and defrauding us out of our money. You should have reported the fraud. Personally I've never seen anyone on food stamps driving a cadilac or an SUV with 25 inch rims (smaller tires are better people... think), but I'm sure it happens.

Disabled vets, disabled workers, mentally ill, auto workers out of a job, single mothers, single fathers.. maried couples with medical bills they could never pay off... etc etc. etc. and 25 inch rims owners.... [ More ]

Comment #35

TOPCOP38 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:39:21 GMT

And here's one for you

There's fraud that goes on Everyday in Everyway whether it's Welfare, Wall Street , Etc........I investigate it alland arrest them all and you know what there AKA Criminals ...Heh Ok

Comment #34

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:30:11 GMT

Heh, ok. Thanks for your input TopCop.. Oh hey, here's a tip for you, there might be some fraud going on on wall street.

Comment #33

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:26:33 GMT

I wonder how how much the derivatives crash contributed to states going broke. I know for a fact that a lot of hospitals and schools got caught up in it. The wife says the amount of people cashing unemployment checks is growing fast.. and jobs are shrinking with no end in sight. We've been had.

Comment #32

mjwinsmith — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:22:38 GMT

Excellent point MaddMike51, the system was set up to give people a hand up or helping hand in bad times or situations, not a hand out or a free ride forever.

Comment #31

mjwinsmith — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:19:10 GMT

No, what you are talking about is Unemployment insurance, you pay a tax each pay period so that if you are laid off you can collect benefits under certain conditions. The key here to note is that you PAY for this each pay period, therefore, it is not Welfare .

Welfare, anybody down and out can get a check, regardless of the fact that you did or did'nt have a job.

Comment #30

TOPCOP38 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:15:09 GMT

Welfare/Food Stamps

Comment #29

mjwinsmith — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:15:08 GMT

Don't knock it, very soon you will be.

Comment #28

mjwinsmith — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:13:51 GMT

States are starting to go broke, that's why.

Comment #27

mjwinsmith — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:12:39 GMT

You hit the nail right on the head. Thank you for your comment.

Comment #26

mjwinsmith — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:10:47 GMT

Now your asking them to Think , they are not able to do that, the robots in congress are not equipped to do that.

Comment #25

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:57:38 GMT

I'm sorry but I'm a bit confused. Are you talking about the people on food stamps for whatever reason... or the banksters

Comment #24

TOPCOP38 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:49:25 GMT

I agree with you Lee 100 percent .This is the best news I have heard today.

They need to stop using my tax dollars for their gambling needs, get off their lazy butts , go out and get a job

Comment #23

four4me — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:10:04 GMT

To qualify for welfare or food stamps you must be at or below a certain income level. This could mean anything from losing your job, be it laid off or fired, having a spouse leave you and leave you with kids to feed, a fire, or any number of calamity's.

You will be glad they have these programs should you for some reason fall on hard times.

This thread is about some government nutcase wanting people whom for whatever reason are on food stamps or a government programs not being ab... [ More ]

Comment #22

konane — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:40:35 GMT

HaveABall apologize for addressing you as TigerAngel, you have the same avatar.

Comment #21

Dead_Aim — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:42:51 GMT

The problem is it would never work. People would continue to play anyway and if they won they would get a trusted family member or friend (if there is such a thing with big money) to cash in the ticket. Problem solved. They can't tell where the real cash goes yet, but then again, that is why the government has been pushing so hard over the last couple of decades to go to a cashless society. That way they can track every move you make. Those credit cards and debit cards are not only for your conv... [ More ]

Comment #20

MaddMike51 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:28:32 GMT

I don't have a problem with people who are down on their luck being on welfare.Anyone can can have a bad run of luck and find themselves on welfare.I DO have a problem with career welfare cheats,those folks who are 2nd 3rd generation welfare recipiants.These people simply don't want to work and are content to lay around and collect a check and foodstamps from the government.I can't say that someone on welfare can afford to buy nice clothes and expensive suv's with 25 inch rims.They don't make an... [ More ]

Comment #19

pumpi76 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:13:22 GMT

Isn't wellfare like an Insurance, you put in money so that whenever you are out of a job, you got something to fall on...wellfare does not last forever....

i find it funny how someone say that we should eliminate welfare and look in the SITUTATION THAT THE USA IS IN....I sometimes wonder if people double think the stuff they say or they just mention it to be part of a group...

Comment #18

SmoothJuice — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:37:19 GMT

This is good stuff. I'm tired of people who are on welfare and food stamps. I saw a bumper sticker the other day: Work Harder, Millions on Welfare Depend on You!

I've seen people on welfare and food stamps have nicer clothes than me; have expensive suv's with 25 inch rims!!; all they buy is liquore and cigerettes. I think the US should eliminate welfare.

Comment #17

JAP69 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:15:35 GMT

If I remember correctly New York state does.

Will deduct a certain amount from your winning for assistance received. I do not know the full details.

We are starting to see a change in gov't policy from the fed level down to the state level. I wonder why.

Comment #16

DC81 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:09:38 GMT

Don't most states already have it on the books that if a winner over a certain amount has taken government assistance that it would be paid back before they get the money? This just seems messed up if what they're proposing is just because someone has just recently gone onto welfare (let's say with only $2,000 being sent to them) or whatever and won a big jackpot that the state would get the entire jackpot? Then again, it's in the government's best interest to have people rely up on it and not b... [ More ]

Comment #15

pumpi76 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:49:26 GMT

The one thing i don't understand is that any loonie in the senate or congress can pass a bill for this, yet, up to this day no lonie has propose a bill to create minorities lottos or Specialized Private lottos ...

Comment #14

pumpi76 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:31:15 GMT

said that if someone can't afford the basic necessities and is receiving public assistance such as food stamps, then they shouldn't be spending their money on gambling.

My gosh the lottery only costs 1 dollar...If you are talking about scratchoffs that cost 30 dollars or 10 dollars on a consistent basis then i see the point, but Powerball only costs 1 dollar...

Comment #13

beaudad — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:14:45 GMT

A few years ago there was a story......I think it was on 20/20 about a man who was on public assistance and he had won a powerball.......I don't remember what happened on that story.....I think he said that he got the tickets from money picking up cans............anyway I think that the legislators should heal themselves before getting in others back yards........It's just another reason to move out of the state of Tenn.........(Only in America

Comment #12

Lee123 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:56:34 GMT

I think that should be in every state. A great bill that would be.

Comment #11

OldSchoolPa — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:39:06 GMT

with HaveABall...in fact, I'll take the Powerball plus 5 matching numbers tonight Alex for $100! (If you're not a fan of Tyler Perry's movies, you won't get it )

Thinking objectively about this, it makes total sense what this congressman is proposing. But in another view, I find it somewhat Unamerican, and somewhat downright socialist, to cap the profit potential in our free enterprise system (yes that is occurring, but then again right now those companies subject to earnings caps are LOSING... [ More ]

Comment #10

c*los — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:21:16 GMT

Don't forget that Fed state will tax anything over $600. in the first place, I call this double dipping. On the big lotto's if you take A pay out the tax people get half of whatever winings you recieve.If you string it along for the full payout they still get a 3rd plus of what you get ! The Fed's and States will still get A large lump of your change. This bill would let these rich folks have the upper hand in any situation

Comment #9

konane — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:19:30 GMT

Great point TigerAngel, the state should be paid back in the event of a large win. Think some states are doing that with delinquent child support, also prisoners repaying cost of incarceration.

However the underground economy is about 100 steps ahead any legislative posturing to pay back taxpayers. This proposal is a day late, dollar short, should have thought of it same time lottery was ratified by voters.

Comment #8

Raven62 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:19:20 GMT

New Jersey Administrative Code

Title 17, Chapter 42

Lottery Prize Offset For Child Support And

Public Assistance Payments

In cases of multiple or conflicting claims, the priority for apportionment is as follows:

1. Federal Income tax withholding, as required by N.J.A.C. 17:42-1.4;

2. Child support arrearages, as required by N.J.S.A. 5:9-13.2 to 13.6;

3. Federal and State student loan defaults as required by N.J.S.A. 5:9-13.10 to 13.16; and

4. Over payments for Work

Comment #7

mjwinsmith — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:37:55 GMT

I am somewhat on the same page as you, let them play the lottery, if they win any amount over $600.00 the law should be that they pay back any and all monies recieved from the state, then the rest is theirs.

The freak'n government is already stopping hard working Americans who want to play on-line lottery games, what's up with that, it's OUR money we worked for it we should be able to spend it any which way we want.

Oh, but it's ok to bail out the jerks on Wall street and the Bankers makin... [ More ]

Comment #6

bashley572 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:01:08 GMT

That is the best example of what is wrong with the US right now. I have no problem with someone getting ahead and making a profit. But when your company takes OUR tax dollars to pay YOUR paycheck vs. closing its doors and there is NO paycheck. Then you should HAVE to answer to the taxpayer.

Government needs OUT of private companies, history will show this last year was a mistake to bail all of them out.

Comment #5

Rocket 455 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:05:57 GMT

Meanwhile, recently in the Tennesseean, this story;

Nashville banks' execs get millions

Bailout loopholes allow some bonuses, 'golden parachutes'

Trillions of dollars tossed to a group of elites who destroyed the economy in the biggest ponzi scheme rip off of tax payers in history, and we discuss what a bank teller should spend his or her money on because they can't make enough money to get by without food stamps.

Incredible... Beam me up Scotty...

Comment #4

wiseone2 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:38:15 GMT

Really doesn't make much sense. People play the lottery in hopes of winning enough money to pay bills, have better quality of life....get off of welfare, etc. They should be happy if the recipients win enough to get off goverment assistance. Also, if they lose, which is more likely, then they in all actuality are giving the money back to the government. So the government wins either way. Why only let those who have money already, win? Bottom line is....if you have a state lottery, it should be o... [ More ]

Comment #3

ThatScaryChick — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:37:21 GMT

I don't think the government/state should be telling people what they can spend their money on. I understand why they want to do it, but really, the whole thing seems like a slippery slope to me.

Comment #2

HaveABall — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:30:38 GMT

Hum, I can understand the State's position in a way. The state is attempting fiduciary duty towards their multi-county's tax payer's monies received and allocated towards welfare recepients (as far as I know, any may receive, even prior non tax paying non-citizens) -- only wanting their county's tax payer monies to go to their monetarily wounded residents if they are going to spend it on NEED items such as: supermarket groceries, gas, suit for higher paying job interviews, and utility bills -- n... [ More ]

Comment #1

RJOh — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:10:47 GMT

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Stacey Campfield (Knoxville), said that if someone can't afford the basic necessities and is receiving public assistance such as food stamps, then they shouldn't be spending their money on gambling.

What a crock! It's alright for them to spend a dollar on a pick3 game that pays $50-$500 but get penalized it they play and win a game that pays big money.

Ohio once had a law to limit what people could win playing lotteries but it was for everybody, no one lottery ti... [ More ]

Tennessee may cap lottery winnings at $600 for poor

Lottery Post — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:31:43 GMT

The Tennessee Legislature is considering a bill that could end up making life more difficult for the poor or could help them, depending on your point of view.

The bill at the center of the issue is scheduled to be discussed at a committee hearing Wednesday. It would prohibit anyone receiving state or federal assistance, sometimes called welfare, from winning $600 or more in the state lottery.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Stacey Campfield (Knoxville), said that if someone can't afford the basic... [ More ]