Can't Feed the Pig when Uncle Sam & The Lottery Steals all the Food

Reply #14

MeFirstYouLast — Sat, 17 May 2008 01:02:10 GMT

I would like to think that most people go into politics for the right reasons. But it is like drug enforcement. The financial temptation is always huge. The lure of the media, pictures in the paper, invites to parties, golf trips around the world, idolizing by local merchants. It is hard to remain humble when every one around you is praising your greatness, and naming bridges and streets after you. Sleeping on a paid for yacht only makes you want to live on one all the time.

It is like the lo... [ More ]

Reply #13

Badger — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:39:16 GMT

You know it has always been very suspicious to me how some of our elected congresspeople go into the job not being millionaires, but come out of the job (if they ever do) as multimillionaires.

Now would you suppose that is the reason they wanted to run for the office in the first place

Reply #12

DC81 — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:41:37 GMT

Pretty much but unfortunately those same people will get elected again (or someone just like them) because the average person doesn't know any better and choose to be ignorant.

Reply #11

MeFirstYouLast — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:50:09 GMT

Most people have forgotten that Congress stopped voting for pay raises years ago - the public complained. They passed a law that automatically raises their pay every year, minimum 10%. They have no problem spending money, it doesn't come from them - if it costs more, they raise their pay higher. Most laws exempt Congress from penalties, give theirselfs the best heatlth insurance policies on the planet, the best retirement investments on the planet, automatic pay raises, free parking at all Gover... [ More ]

Reply #10

jackpotismine — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:54:07 GMT

Reply #9

Badger — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:44:40 GMT

Destined wrote : I mean if everyone is ok with the fact that other countries don't tax gambling winnings but we do, then that's your opinion.

The problem is we keep electing people who are looking to tax everything they can in order to make up for their lack of answers to the country's problems. They all like to spend every dollar they can, then they pose for holy pictures and try and make the average Joe think they are doing a great job. They will tax our undershorts if they can figure out... [ More ]

Reply #8

Piaceri — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:44:00 GMT

Destined - this is the reason I tell myself to not quit my dayjob unless I hit $30m.

Destined JWBlue - I don't begrudge my country for taking taxes - its all necessary, but you do have to draw the line somewhere. As I get older and become more active in my retirement planning, I am disgusted to find that they actually tax your social security income - money you have already paid into the government after they taxed it when you earned it. That is double taxation.

jackpotismine - don't belei... [ More ]

Reply #7

jackpotismine — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:50:57 GMT

I agree with you Destined. The USA is the biggest Mafia. It use to be a great country a long time ago. I enjoy living here in China. It's not as glamorous as the USA but I feel good being here. I would only want to go back to the USA to visit and maybe make some money and bring it here.

P.S. Don't believe everything you read and see about China.

Reply #6

JWBlue — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:54:41 GMT

BTW, it HAS crossed my mind to leave this counrty. As much as I love it, I realize it might not be for me. Mostly for financial reasons.

Reply #5

JWBlue — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:54:26 GMT

You certainly are allowed to speak your mind.

But you don't seem happy here. Maybe you would be happier in another country where there is universal health care, where you can win the lottery without paying taxes, and your tax dollars don't go towards defense.

It is expensive living in this country.

And you are right about the point when the issues hit home. I might feel the say way as you. And if I felt the same way as you, I might feel that I would be happier living in another countr... [ More ]

Reply #4

Destined — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:48:00 GMT

LOL. Leader in education? Leader in health care? Really? Let's not even debate defense spending because you'd lose. Anyways, last time I checked we were ranked just above Cuba around #39 in the world when it came to education. Hardly a leader there. Sure we spend and spend and spend, yet the results speak for themselves. The only thing we are a leader in is spending money wrecklessly and going into debt. Health care, we are innovative I agree, but that comes at a price (i.e. the number of people... [ More ]

Reply #3

JWBlue — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:08:04 GMT

Their is a price to live in the greatest country in the world. The US government needs every tax dollar it can get. This country has a lot of expenses (both domestically and abroad). We are the most giving country in the world. Helping other countries costs money. There is goodwill that comes back to us with the help we give others.

A lot of tax dollars goes to things like health research which benefits everyone in the long run. Dude, that is what this country is about. Being a leader in eve... [ More ]

Reply #2

Destined — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:55:22 GMT

Ok then please counter my post with example and fact. And if you really think my generation (20-30 year olds) are going to see social security, then you are kidding yourself.

I tried my best to show the government gets 80% and the player will only get 20% of the total prize pool. Of course, it's not worth playing, but what I am saying it's the best running racket in America. No one plays to win long run anyways, however the fact is that the players get fleeced big time.

I mean if everyon... [ More ]

Reply #1

JWBlue — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:47:49 GMT

First the issue of whether it is worth it to pay the lottery. I took a statistics class in college. My professor determined that mathematically it does not pay off in the long run to play the lottery.

As for the tax issue, tax payers do get some return on their tax dollars. Either now (roads, defense, police, government agencies) or the future (social security). I do not know what the exact percentage is. The tax issue is not as bad as you present.

Can't Feed the Pig when Uncle Sam & The Lottery Steals all the Food

Destined — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:34:07 GMT

WARNING: LONG READ AHEAD

I am truly sick to my stomach after analyzing the numbers of the PA Lottery.

I'm using PA as an example, but Im sure whatever state you live in, the numbers are most likely similar. Right now, for every dollar in ticket sales, only $0.38 is returned to the players. I always believed the numbers were closer to 50/50, but thats not the case. So right now, if PA sold $1,000,000 of Cash 5 tickets, the pool is only going to be around $300k-$400k. Pretty significant chu... [ More ]