The Great Lottery Revolt

Reply #38

Googler — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:26:59 GMT

I think that most comments in this Lottery Party tread have managed to express their loyal citizen opposition to various issues without being ugly. This is an open forum that allows anyone to redirect the topic in any direction that pleases them within reason, and they have.

Did big business kill the parliamentary rule of having a Loyal Opposition? I think so. After you buy your lottery ticket, please tell us.

Democracies are fluid, so are the people that are needed to sustain the institut... [ More ]

Reply #37

JosephusMinimus — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 13:54:35 GMT

Probably most of us are here for amusement and entertainment. The problems of the nation and the world aren't going to be solved by a lot of whining and grumbling or fighting over differing opinions about what we think are solutions on a lottery discussion board.

Most people anywhere aren't searching for strangers to tell them what the problems are with the way the country is running. They already have plenty of people doing that a lot closer to home, though they aren't likely to change thei... [ More ]

Reply #36

Googler — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:42:33 GMT

Love the humor! Sounds like someone watches Family Guy.

Those Internal Factions, I can't top it. That is so funny. It has the makings of a good movie script. It has more imagination than the current films.

Would a zealot trade his/her beliefs for a winning lottery ticket? Mississippi's economy would boom for the first time since reconstruction.

Maybe I will file the papers to form the LOTTERY PARTY. I will take your advice. Everyone must leave their egos, tarot cards and lottery ticke... [ More ]

Reply #35

JosephusMinimus — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:56:27 GMT

Googler: Fun post. A Lottery Party would almost certainly be an improvement over those out there now and might provide a whole new perspective on each of a lot of other matters. Especially when you consider the internal factions that would inevitably emerge within the party when they were caucusing for candidates. Those Pick 3 types would have all the power of numbers, aside from the fact they'd break down into smaller factions of systems people, dream interpreters, astrologers, statisticians an... [ More ]

Reply #34

Boney526 — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:51:10 GMT

On a side not, we need to reform the tax code, lower taxes, and greatly reduce expenditures.

I like a value added or fair tax, or a system that divides the federal budget and apportions them for states to raise. All of these systems would rid us of the IRS, and could even remove the need for a tax day.

Reply #33

Boney526 — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:41:25 GMT

rdgrnr posted.

So you support the ACLU, that kids should be allowed to remain seated and silent or turn their backs on the flag when the Pledge is recited?

Do you feel the same about immigrants when they want to become American citizens?

I'd have to support the ACLU on that count. Anybody who doesn't want to resight the pledge is sort of a jack***, but they have the right to be. As for the immigrants, well, I think it's more important to find that they support the Ameri... [ More ]

Reply #32

Googler — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:33:20 GMT

Sorry, but it appears that you want a pity party for Corporate America. Sure, they have expenses, taxes, regulations, and payrolls to meet. American families in a microcosm deal with the same issues and still are taxed at every turn. American families first. They are the backbone, the sinew of our great nation.

The solution is to end most deductions and lower the tax rate. This approach would solved the badly needed rebuilding and funding of growth in America.

It would also allow sta... [ More ]

Reply #31

OldSchoolPa — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:33:03 GMT

Last I checked, the oil companies are taxed by our government, and I am not talking about the state sales tax that varies from state to state. Largely those companies that meet some government incentive end up not paying much, if any, taxes at all like GE (blame that on Obama folks...this whole big push on green energy...one has to wonder if Obama is invested in companies that are shielded from high taxes and such).

Another point I think many people seem to overlook is that any for profit co... [ More ]

Reply #30

rdgrnr — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:33:37 GMT

10-4, Googler.

Keep on rockin' in the free world

Reply #29

Googler — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:59:05 GMT

Googly!, that is funny. I'm a conservative. Conserving our nation should supercede party loyalties. Thanks for passing along the good luck on my Powerball plays. Join the Lottery Party today.

Reply #28

rdgrnr — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 03:18:24 GMT

I think maybe you should try out the DLU (Disgruntled Lib Underground) with Matt, Googly.

I think you would probably be in the mainstream there.

I wouldn't even rule out leadership potential.

Maybe a Spokesman.

Good Luck in the Powerball, Googly

Reply #27

Googler — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 01:46:17 GMT

We as a nation have managed fairly well to separate church from state. We now need to reclassify the definition of corporations to keep those quasi human entities out of government. They are gutting the nation. They have trickled on us.

And about regime change. It is like when my wife accuses you of something that I didn't do. Just because she say it, or stations like Fox, broadcast it, delivering the information doesn't make it true. The eight year regime drove the economy into the 90 foot d... [ More ]

Reply #26

rdgrnr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:35:58 GMT

I agree with some of that.

I personally think that kids who don't want to show respect for our country by reciting the Pledge aloud with their hands over their hearts and hats off, standing at attention should be sent to live in Boston or San Francisco because they're going to grow up to be anti-American libs like their parents anyway. They might as well be with more of their own kind.

Reply #25

truecritic — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:51:16 GMT

The flag should be respected. It shouldn't be burned. It shouldn't be worn as clothing. Kids in class should stand, even if they don't recite words out loud. Immigrants, everyone, should stand. If I visit another country, whatever custom they have for their flag, I would follow. Respect.

Reply #24

rdgrnr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:06:36 GMT

You're right, Matt. General Electric doesn't pay a dime in taxes. Their chairman, Mr Immelt, is one of our President's closest friends and contributes heavily to his party and his political campaign. So GE has it made. GE is a good big business.

They're not like the bad big businesses that don't contribute. They need to be taxed more to make up for what GE doesn't have to pay.

BTW, I hope you enjoy the talking points mantra and slogan recital at that disgruntled lib site. Underground is ve... [ More ]

Reply #23

rdgrnr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:43:59 GMT

The commies are all gone, JM. Not really gone, per se, they just don't call themselves communists openly anymore or operate independently.

They've joined up with one of the two major political parties who have the same goals and agenda.

Which one do you think the communists joined up with, JM?

Take a wild guess.

Never mind, I don't want to put you on the spot.

Welp, it's afternoon, time to start slammin' Jack and divining digits!

Good luck in the PB tonight, JM... [ More ]

Reply #22

MattfromPA — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:24:49 GMT

I'm never going to see eye to eye with rgdrnr, so I'm dropping it now. I will say that corporations have so many tax loopholes that some even don't record any tax. I'll gladly focus on the Lottery here, but I'll go to Democratic Underground for political discussion, thank you.

The argument could go on forever with him, so I'll just agree to disagree now.

Reply #21

JosephusMinimus — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:09:19 GMT

You're so used to seeing commies behind every tree you think every one has a commie behind it. There aren't any folks of my bent . I don't like the government, I don't trust the government, I don't like either political party. I just happen to recognize the people on Wall Street, the people in Washington, and the people down on the street are all the same species: greedy, opportunistic scum. They'll mug you on the streets, they'll mug you in the governments and they'll mug you on Wall Street. So... [ More ]

Reply #20

rdgrnr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:06:38 GMT

So you support the ACLU, that kids should be allowed to remain seated and silent or turn their backs on the flag when the Pledge is recited?

Do you feel the same about immigrants when they want to become American citizens

Reply #19

rdgrnr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:52:04 GMT

You can't have it both ways - on one hand saying you couldn't care less about government and on the other bemoaning the fact that jobs are leaving.

Government levies burdensome taxes on business to assuage the success-envy of the where's my free stuff? crowd while making unkeepable promises to unions in exchange for votes and thereby driving these businesses overseas.

Industries have relocated overseas because we have one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world (We rank with Uganda... [ More ]

Reply #18

truecritic — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:20:48 GMT

Your assumption is wrong on both counts, rdgrnr, born here, my allegiance is here. Just can't ever remember much past the first line and don't think it is important to be forced to recite it.

Reply #17

rdgrnr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:04:11 GMT

I agree with some of your points but we're following an agenda designed to put us where we are and the only way to change that agenda is regime change.

I don't believe in singling out certain groups or industries (like Oil) to pay for education or anything else. We do that to smokers here in Tennessee. I do believe that subsidies to the oil companies should be ended however and indeed should never have been instituted.

I believe we all should have to pay through the nose together to cover... [ More ]

Reply #16

JosephusMinimus — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:51:16 GMT

I personally couldn't care less about the government. I do like lotteries.

But lottery players cover the whole political spectrum... politicizing discussion about the lotteries is absurd.

I will say that the private sector does a pretty good job of muddling things up when they get their hands on retirement systems, such as 401Ks .... banks and stockmarket entities.... retirees lost 50-60% of their retirement savings into the pockets of those over the past few years. And the multi-national... [ More ]

Reply #15

truecritic — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:06:41 GMT

..geez no, don't get started!

I think we should get a better shake from the lotteries. If offshore lottery companies can make money and offer $900 for a Pick3 win, I think at least $700 from the State Lotteries is more than possible.

They don't call it a tax, we shouldn't be paying such a high price. Otherwise call it a tax.

Still leaves money for education.

Schools don't need unions. Schools don't need expensive labor and pensions to provide decent education. Schools don't need exce... [ More ]

Reply #14

rdgrnr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:56:45 GMT

Outside of the military and space exploration, everything the government touches is usually a fiasco.

How is it, one wonders, that the very people who love big government have the unmitigated gall to complain about it lumbering to it's historical and routine level of proficiency and achievement in operation of the various lotteries?

It's like they're in shock that the government doesn't do things very well.

Wait til they see em run healthcare.

Reply #13

rdgrnr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:29:48 GMT

I love it. They've got everything their way now.

The right for students to sit down or turn their back on the American Flag during the Pledge. (Thank you, ACLU) (My belt is twitching)

Frisking 3 year old little American girls at the airports to show we're not profiling anybody so we don't offend the ones who should be getting frisked.

Leaving our southern border virtually wide open so we don't send the wrong message or offend anybody.

Paying more than double for gas since Girlyman g... [ More ]

Reply #12

JosephusMinimus — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:58:56 GMT

It comes down to a question of whether players want their lotteries to be dynamic and prosper, or whether they'd prefer it to be driven by a philosophy of internal arguments about which dispossessed or alienated faction gets the biggest piece of the action.

Lotteries are just a painless revenue source and it's the job of state legislatures to determine where the money goes. But whether there's any money to go anywhere depends on the people over at the lottery commission territory.

What's i... [ More ]

Reply #11

sully16 — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:49:51 GMT

They haven't been through enough interventions for squeezing orange wedges.

Reply #10

rdgrnr — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:13:57 GMT

Thanks sully but as you can see, the where's my free stuff? crowd doesn't wanna hear it.

Reply #9

MattfromPA — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:31:07 GMT

I agree with Googler. Also, gambling is gambling, but PA has now tilted the Lottery too much in their favor IMO. And I don't see seniors getting those benefits enough.

Reply #8

sully16 — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:19:08 GMT

Well said.

Reply #7

Googler — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:34:32 GMT

Individually we know how we failed our school systems. We should all just go into our corners, addressed how you failed our schools and then come together in communities across American and just say and do what is needed under consensus.

As far as unions are concerned, I don't think that you can just blame them for failed schools. Blame can be placed on everyone and that is the only way to address the issue. I can cite how good American citizens abandoned their schools nationally for various... [ More ]

Reply #6

Boney526 — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:07:12 GMT

It's rare to find someone who doesn't think that Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness never meant that the government owes you things but the government shouldn't stop you from doing things

Reply #5

rdgrnr — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 03:53:04 GMT

States please show us some love. I want my Happiness in the form of good schools...

It's not the states' job to show us love. It is their job to do our bidding and abide by the Constitution.

You have the right to pursue happiness but you do not have the right to have happiness provided to you.

And you will never have good schools while union thugs enforce rules of tenure which prevent teachers from being fired for any reason except sex crimes. There are teachers currently emp... [ More ]

Reply #4

Googler — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 03:26:44 GMT

If you read the various post in this forum, most are in the hole, a few break even and a few are making money. It seems like the only way to get a head is by hitting the jackpot.

-------------------

The Declaration of Independence

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pu... [ More ]

Reply #3

Stack47 — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:12:19 GMT

Players know the odds when they buy tickets

That depends on how the lottery expresses the odds. A raffle game selling $500,000 unique tickets with four $1 million winners at $20 a ticket will say each ticket has a legitimate 1 in 125,000 chance of winning one of the four jackpots. While that looks great for advertisement, it really means 499,996 tickets will not hit a jackpot; that's 99.9992% of all the $20 tickets sold.

To answer the original question, many states offer promotions that r... [ More ]

Reply #2

JosephusMinimus — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:00:12 GMT

No. Players know the odds when they buy tickets, provided there's no corruption, misrepresentation, fraud, flawed RNGs [allowing them to sell tickets for numbers that have zero chance of winning] or otherwise questionable practices on the part of the lottery operations.

But the premise that lotteries are public institutions is valid. Lotteries should maintain public access to all records concerning their draw results, where the money went, how much was paid out and any other information inten... [ More ]

Reply #1

RJOh — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:47:05 GMT

The states are in the lottery business to make money off people who enjoy gambling and can afford to lose a few dollars, they don't care about your dreams.

The Great Lottery Revolt

Googler — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:27:14 GMT

It seems like the States have us trapped like rats.

The lottery is fun, but the dark side is that it reveals your desires and short comings, while giving you momentary dreams of living like a king. It fills your brain with opiates of hope, but removes the drug quickly as the last ball drops.

When we win a few dollars and a few hit the JACKPOT, we are reborn, full of hope as we buy another ticket that is tipped against us breaking even. But it is fun