This article really speaks to the larger issue of why the poor are poor. And, is this article suggesting that the poor who play the lottery would not seek other means to gamble in the absence of lottery tickets?

“Do you believe that playing the lottery can make you rich?” – Yes, however it is extremely unlikely as the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against the player. At the same time, it sure is fun to imagine what one could do with a ton of money.

The lottery is a vicious attack on the poorest and least intelligent Americans.
The fact that gambling in general, and lotteries in particular, are encouraged by Democrats shows us what their real values are: Screw the poor.

Come on people, your taking this too seriously. The study, and that’s all it was, is that of a doctoral student. Was it necessary to have a study to figure out that those with little money would want to have more and those with a lot of money don’t play the lottery. It also stands to reason that those in the lower income brackets probably are not as well educated as those in the upper income bracket. Let’s give it a rest and stop acting like the whole lottery thing is somehow beneath all of you.

This might be a first for me. I happen to agree with something each poster had to say here. First, it’s true that we really don’t need a study to confirm the demographics of lottery players. Regular lottery-goers are largely folks of low-to-moderate income, many of whom purchase tickets on a regular basis. For some, it’s something close to a religion. I stop at a local grocery quite frequently on my way home from work, and I often see the same group of folks lined up behind the lottery machine, getting their daily collection of tickets. Do I have an emotional reaction when I see them? Do I feel that lotto players in this state, by and large, are getting screwed by a state-run outfit that is a poor excuse for a rigged system? As someone who isn’t a big fan of gambling, sure I do. People who probably have the least means to take financial risks take them on a daily basis through our state lotto system, some of whom actually believe they have a decent chance to win. As someone who also believes in free markets/financial independence, etc., I feel that individuals should be free to spend their earnings as they choose. It doesn’t necessarily upset me that folks of modest means play the state lotto – it’s the myth that is perpetrated by the state that really gets to me. It’s packaged and presented as “easy money” , and to many with their financial backs to the wall, a big payday from the state sounds like a one-hit financial fix. The same principle applies to the casino “quick fix” theory currently running rampant across our state (but that’s another topic for another day…) Now, not every lotto player thinks like this. Some get a ticket or two only occasionally and don’t think much of it. However, far too many feed a healthy portion of their take-home income right back into state coffers through the lotto. By the same token, too many folks burn too much money on cigarettes as well. At least the tobacco companies finally had to admit their product’s detrimental (and eventual hazardous) effects. As of yet, no such similar admission has been forthcoming from our state lottery overseers.

It’s pretty funny reading these comments. Who’s surprised that when a person doesn’t have money, they’d like to win some?

But for those of you who are arguing about how bad it is that lotteries make money off the poor, do you also think it’s bad that businesses make money off the poor by offering them low wages, no benefits and “at will” employment thus not allowing them to move up the economic ladder? Does it bother you people have to work 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet?

The lottery is what it is, a shot at getting rich.

pd

I agree with what this person had to say. I play the lottery ocassionally, and let me tell you I sure dont make it a life long dream to win; but because it’s a game of chance and not predetermine, I chose to play. I live in a low-income neighboorhood. I play at a convenience store that is right around the corner, my fovorite one. I see individuals play all the time. Just to see the look in their faces, the look of hope! What’s so wrong with a poor man or woman taking a chance of spending a few dollars on the lottery in hopes of making it to the big times?

And why is it that no one complains about businesses taking advantage of the poor by paying them the minimum wage and treating them like a piece of meat with no value? No Value! We all deserve a chance at life, but for some reason, you have the rich and powerful which feel like they can enslave the people by giving them low-income jobs, commercializing all the resources in the world, and sending us to war for their own benefit and profits. I understand the struggle that we all face on a daily basis, but you can never give up hope on the finer things in life.

To have a family is a beautiful thing! Children and grandsons is an honor. But to be able to give them the good things in life like hope, love, and happiness, is something that is truly worth living for. So why not live life full of hope, faith and peace? And now I would like to leave you with this my fellow friends:

I believe that imagination is more powerful than knowledge, myth is more potent than history, dreams are more powerful than facts, hope always triumphs over experience, laughter is the cure for grief, love is stronger than death.”

Thanks Greg. Please let us know to which threads you prefer to have comments posted.