08-05-2005 10:04									#1
	Is state gambling a tax on the poor? Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Here in Oregon there is an ongoing debate on the subject. Gambling dollars from state lotterys go to all sorts of worthy sounding stuff. For instance, clean water, restoring salmon runs, kids sports, schools. The taxpayers consistantly vote down tax increases, property tax increaes are capped. Oregonians don't want more taxes. So, the state has increased its gambling revenue. Studies show that it is often the poor who turn to lotterys in the hope of finding their way out of poverty. Some addicted gamblers will burn through their paychecks and then turn to food givaways such as church charitys...

Gotta go get the wife, brb.

So anyway, you have the left saying it's a tax on the poor while the churchgoing right say its immoral. Strange bedfellows working towards the same ends. Lots of people think if they spend the money on gambling they'll have less $ to spend on junk cars to put on blocks in front of their trailers. Personal responsibilty in other words.

Discuss.

Last edited by Lancer on 08-05-2005 at 10:24

	08-05-2005 10:10									#2
	Put an end to popups!

Sounds like Lancer realized he left his wife at the Bingo parlor!

	08-05-2005 10:21									#3
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She wishes! She's working 2 jobs. I'm ahhh, working on getting a job.

	08-05-2005 10:31									#4
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I think it s

JM

	08-05-2005 10:40									#5
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quote: Originally posted by Jon Miller I think it s JM

It s what?

*thinks someone clicked "submit reply" a little too quickly.*

	08-05-2005 10:46									#6
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Perhaps, but they are the idiots who waste their money.

I prefer it to be a tax on idiocy, just that the poor have more of that .

	08-05-2005 10:52									#7
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It can't be a tax on "the poor", since nobody is forcing them to use any of their money on it.

In this country of 5 mio. people, the state lottery alone had a gross turnover of >$1.5 billion last year. I say it's mostly a voluntary contribution from the not-so-bright people.

	08-05-2005 10:56									#8
	Suffering from ads?

It's a tax on mathematical ability.

In short, it's a tax on the poor.

	08-05-2005 11:02									#9
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A tax on (lack of) mathematical ability?

You mean it's a tax on MBA's, John?

	08-05-2005 11:02									#10
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The proper use of lottery funds by the state more than fixes improper purchase of lottery tickets by those who can't afford them.

However, it is an individual consideration by each state. Here in AR, we don't have a state lottery because gambling as you point out oftentimes results in mens' ruin and is immoral, and something many citizens would not feel comfortable with. On the other hand, in somewhere like Nevada, strippers ripping off suits woven of $100 bills adorn every street corner. It just depends on if a state is desperate enough for funds or how righteous it feels.

How much money does the lottery produce for Oregon, Lancer? How much of it goes to each of the programs that it goes to?

	08-05-2005 11:02									#11
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui A tax on (lack of) mathematical ability? You mean it's a tax on MBA's, John?

Your statement doesn't add up.

	08-05-2005 11:05									#12
	Got spare money?

That sounds suspiciously like something a MBA would say

	08-05-2005 11:06									#13
	Inflate your Upload Space

Since I don't have a MBA, your line of reasoning is really falling flat here. Woe be to your future clients!

	08-05-2005 11:06									#14
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http://info.oregonlottery.org/

"In the years since the Oregon Lottery was created, players have won over $8.4 billion. Since 1995, more than $2.1 billion has gone to education, while $123 million has gone to State Parks and an additional $123 million has gone to watershed enhancement and salmon habitat restoration."

There's more info at the link.

	08-05-2005 11:07									#15
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I know you don't have a MBA, but you seem uncomfortable from MBA ribbing (a wannabe... hmmm), so you'll have to do .

	08-05-2005 11:08									#16
	Increase Your PM Length

However, how much education spending did Oregon cut from its regular budget, rationalizing that the lottery was going to "cover it"?

	08-05-2005 11:10									#17
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JT, would you rather I pulled some bogus stat outa my butt or say 'I don't know'?

	08-05-2005 11:13									#18
	Increase Your PM Length

This is the Poly OT - I demand bogus stats pulled out of asses!

	08-05-2005 11:15									#19
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37%

...and that's a fact.

	08-05-2005 11:16									#20
	Inflate your Upload Space

Now, was that out of your ass or your brothers ass? Enquiring minds want to know!

	08-05-2005 11:16									#21
	Increase the size of your Attachments

I hate lotteries. It means I have to stand behind queues of wheezing peons at the 7-11.

Honestly, all the people who buy lottery tickets look as if they'd keel over dead within six months of winning it.

	08-05-2005 11:17									#22
	Tired of ads?

no it is a tax on the stupid.

	08-05-2005 11:18									#23
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

quote: I hate lotteries. It means I have to stand behind queues of wheezing peons at the 7-11.

Me, I like seeing the internal torment suffered by a gambling-addicted smoker with just $3 in sofa change.

	08-05-2005 11:20									#24
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

quote: Me, I like seeing the internal torment suffered by a gambling-addicted smoker with just $3 in sofa change.

Smokes over gambling any day – although I'm still smoke free after 7 weeks (I think – I've lost count – is that a bad sign?).

I could never play the lottery. I wouldn't know what to do if I won. I have pretty limited wants. Actually, for years I thought I was an acquisitive person, until I realized what everyone else wanted.

	08-05-2005 11:22									#25
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congrats on getting away from the cancer sticks, there are other far superior methods of obtaining cancer.

	08-05-2005 11:23									#26
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Losing count of the days since you quit is a good sign.

Here's a bad sign: when you hear somebody say something like "I've been XYZ free for 582 days!"

	08-05-2005 11:23									#27
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quote: Originally posted by Whoha no it is a tax on the stupid.

	08-05-2005 11:25									#28
	Inflate your Upload Space

quote: congrats on getting away from the cancer sticks, there are other far superior methods of obtaining cancer.

Yeah. I've developed a liking for those May West cakes.

	08-05-2005 12:28									#29
	Put an end to popups!

the poor will just blow their money on something stupid, might as well be something useful (goverment services)

	08-05-2005 12:29									#30
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quote: Originally posted by JohnT It's a tax on mathematical ability. In short, it's a tax on the poor.

are you saying poor people lack mathematical ability?