Welfare Lottery Ban

[not_nadine]

Proposed law that bans people who are on welfare or in bankrupcy from playing.

http://www.inquisitr.com/495177/welfare-lottery-ban/

[PatInTheHat]

Now why in the world would anyone want to get rid of the poverty tax:umm:?

[Sepia and Dust]

Now why in the world would anyone want to get rid of the poverty tax:umm:?

It's not a poverty tax--the lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math.

[JordyVerrill]

Banning welfare recipients from playing the lotto would probably cut lotto sales in half.

[Moderator]

As the article says, it would be really hard to enforce this. Who's to say the money the person used to buy the ticket wasn't received as a gift, e.g. birthday, holiday, etc.? Yes, it probably isn't but to try to prove that with a cash purchase business would be difficult.

It may also be short-sighted on the part of the legislator who's advocating for this as they could be drying up the state's coffers from lottery ticket sales proceeds. :smile2: I don't know how it works there but a lot of money from lottery sales goes right back into the state's coffers here. I pulled this from the web site for the Maine State Lottery:

Since 1974, the Maine State Lottery has transferred over $1 billion to Maine State Government’s General Fund. This milestone occurred during the 2nd quarter of fiscal year 2011.

The average annual transfer to the General Fund since 2005 has been $50 million. In fiscal year 2010, the Maine State Lottery transferred a record $52.2 million to the General Fund.
General Fund contributions from the Maine State Lottery are redistributed by the Maine State Legislature and the Governor of Maine to over 250 various state programs and services that have a direct impact on the citizens of Maine.
Finally, since 1996, the Maine State Lottery has transferred $15.8 million to the Outdoor Heritage Fund. This money, generated from the proceeds of certain $1 instant ticket games, has been helping to fund
critical conservation and wildlife projects throughout Maine.

Not to mention that if by some far out chance, the person actually won they'd then be off the welfare program.

[exzel]

And since it was my money (generally speaking) that was used to purchase a lottery ticket when it was given to the needy to purchase basic necessities like food... perhaps any lottery winnings should go back to the people who actually paid for it, or to senior citizens as is the case in my state where lottery proceeds go. :mad:

[PatInTheHat]

It's not a poverty tax--the lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math.
It's a poverty tax plain & simple...heyyyy now :oo:..wait just one little minute, are you perchance accusing me of being a tax evader:eyebrow:???..oh it's tokey smokey with me if'n ya are, I was just curious is all:wink2:.

[Todash]

Oh for the love of--GAH. This is about as sensible as drug testing welfare recipients. Expensive, painful to enforce, and very little if any return.

If a state thinks that the lottery is not a good idea, then ban the lottery. I get so very tired of these proposed showboat morality laws that penalize people who are already in a bad way. Is there really that big a problem with people on welfare pissing away their rent money on lottery tickets? Really? Or is this just about moral outrage? Because if it is, as a fellow taxpayer I would prefer to pay for better roads and more teachers before satisfying the moral outrage of some random person who really has no freaking clue HOW their tax dollars are divided.

[blunthead]

To the extent that the word "welfare" encompasses more than just cash and since playing the lottery is playing a game, and not even gambling let's get real, I wonder if denying someone who legitimately needs the government to give them money the enjoyment of that game is not kind of cruel.

[Sepia and Dust]

And since it was my money (generally speaking) that was used to purchase a lottery ticket when it was given to the needy to purchase basic necessities like food... perhaps any lottery winnings should go back to the people who actually paid for it, or to senior citizens as is the case in my state where lottery proceeds go. :mad:

It's not your money, it's the government's money. The only decision you get to make about how it's used is when you cast your ballot.



It's a poverty tax plain & simple...heyyyy now :oo:..wait just one little minute, are you perchance accusing me of being a tax evader:eyebrow:???..oh it's tokey smokey with me if'n ya are, I was just curious is all:wink2:.

Think I need a hit of that tokey smokey... been a rough day.



I get so very tired of these proposed showboat morality laws that penalize people who are already in a bad way. Is there really that big a problem with people on welfare pissing away their rent money on lottery tickets? Really? Or is this just about moral outrage? Because if it is, as a fellow taxpayer I would prefer to pay for better roads and more teachers before satisfying the moral outrage of some random person who really has no freaking clue HOW their tax dollars are divided.

Preach it, Sistah! These sorts of laws stem directly from a point-of-view that says I'm better than you, so you need to start doing what I want you to do.

[Tim D.]

Is there really that big a problem with people on welfare pissing away their rent money on lottery tickets? Really?

If there is I haven't heard of it before. In Kentucky the problem seems to be people pissing away the welfare money on oxycontin.

[exzel]

It's not your money, it's the government's money. The only decision you get to make about how it's used is when you cast your ballot.
Sadly I agree with you. It’s no longer a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”… but now becasue of our recent choices in the elections is moving more towards “The State will take from each according to his ability: the State will give to each according to his needs.”

[king family fan]

I think if they really want the lottery tickets. They would find away to get them. even if they had to have someone else purchase them. Just saying it is like with anything,if you really want it,you will find away.

[Sepia and Dust]

Sadly I agree with you. It’s no longer a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”… but now becasue of our recent choices in the elections is moving more towards “The State will take from each according to his ability: the State will give to each according to his needs.”

That's the way it's always been--your taxes are not your money, and you have no say as an individual about how that money is spent. There was never some golden age when that was not the case.

[fushingfeef]

If the government is so worried about what people do with money that comes from the government, they should also nag the wealthy corporations that get tax breaks/TARP money as to what they're doing with their money too, right?

[Sepia and Dust]

If the government is so worried about what people do with money that comes from the government, they should also nag the wealthy corporations that get tax breaks/TARP money as to what they're doing with their money too, right?

Well, sometimes they do. There was a big dust-up after the big bailout about some of the bailed-out companies giving huge bonuses to their executives. In the end, I think, most of the bonus money was given back, probably under threat of all holy hell coming down on their heads.

[Lily Sawyer]

Hmm. Well, I'm fine with lottery being accessible to everyone. I don't care if someone's on welfare or not; the net result is that it's profitable for states that need the cash.

I'm not sure most welfare recipients are unmotivated enough to stay on welfare for the rest of their lives, because it sure pays less than disability and unemployment. So why not play the lottery every now and then? I doubt a lot of money is being squandered on the lottery by welfare recipients, as families of four receive roughly $500 a month, and individuals receive up to $200 a month. That's not a lot of cash for frivolities.

Even those on welfare should dream big, too.

[GNTLGNT]

http://www.dumpaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/funny-lottery-winners.jpg

[fljoe0]

I'll be hypocritical here (at least I'll admit it). I do like to play lotto some but still. I do not think that the government should be in the gambling business. I don't think anyone should be able to buy lottery tickets from the government.

Isn't it hilarious that the cash 3 game is the same exact game as the old illegal numbers game that used to be run by the mob?

[not_nadine]

There are alot of people who had to take government assistance for a short time in this economy. That does not make them "Lifers"

[fljoe0]

Isn't it hilarious that the cash 3 game is the same exact game as the old illegal numbers game that used to be run by the mob?

I think the mob gave better odds too:biggrin2:

[LongTallSally]

Let people buy tickets. The people on welfare who buy tickets are making their own choice. I choose to blow my assistance money at the butcher shop, buying meat, which quite frankly isn't the best thing for me, but I do it anyway. I might buy one lotto ticket a month, just to try out a new one in case someone asks me about it at work when I am selling the tickets to someone else. I'm curious. I know it's a voluntary tax on the stupid which is why I spend so little on tickets, but it's cheaper than a movie, and if you stick an unscratched ticket on the fridge and leave it there for a while, it gives you lots of 'what if' blue sky time.

Are they going to start telling welfare recipients they are no longer able to enjoy a small packet of chips once in a while as well? What about cigarettes? Booze? I think law makers need to back off and leave people alone.

[staropeace]

Not everyone who is on an government income is a lazy bum....many are unfortunate or ill or has been in the system since birth with no one clue or lifeskill on how to get out of it. Why not let them buy a lottery ticket? Afraid they will get above their station if they win? Everybody is equal as long as they know their place? I think a lot of these folks already have the self respect and stuffing knocked out of them....this will only make it worse. They are human beings with human rights...not indentured wards of the state. This ruling serves no purpose and makes not a damn lick of sense.

[Patricia A]

It's not a poverty tax--the lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math.
On one hand high on hope, and on the other, low statistical fortitude.

Let them both fill up as we observe their progress.

[fljoe0]

The government officials are so responsible with money, they feel they need to tell everyone else how to be responsible with theirs.:biggrin2:

[Terry B]

This is the dumbest damned (sorry Ms. Mod) thing I've ever heard of. That's like telling all those people in line for the soup kitchen during the depression "ah sorry - no soup for you today. You're not worthy!" This is bull. Everyone - EVERYONE deserves a chance at their dream. I don't care if they picked up the dollar off the street. EVERYONE deserves a chance!

[Chuggs]

I'm better than you, so you need to start doing what I want you to do.

Unfortunatley, too many of us view the world this way. :sad: Live and let live, Love and let love.

[Neesy]

Not everyone who is on an government income is a lazy bum....many are unfortunate or ill or has been in the system since birth with no one clue or lifeskill on how to get out of it. Why not let them buy a lottery ticket? Afraid they will get above their station if they win? Everybody is equal as long as they know their place? I think a lot of these folks already have the self respect and stuffing knocked out of them....this will only make it worse. They are human beings with human rights...not indentured wards of the state. This ruling serves no purpose and makes not a damn lick of sense.

Very well put