News-Record.com

Good letter Glenn. Imagine if the lottery were sold in Raleigh this way:

We are addicted to spending and just cannot stop. We've already bilked the tobacco companies in the tobacco buyout. Let's go ahead & screw smokers too, many of them who are low income, with a 40 cent/pack increase. We don't want them to actually quit because their addiction benefits us. Oh that "temporary" sales tax increase, well let's keep that too, although we can keep calling it temporary because these morons won't know the difference.

Oh yeah, we also have that magical formula that automatically increases the state sales tax on gas as it's price increases. These poor schmucks already pay too much for gas, but we can increase that tax in July. It's just a few more cents per gallon. That will keep our proud stature as having the highest gas tax in the Southeast, don't want anyone else to have that title.

Still not enough cash, let's see. Ah ha! Let's slip the lottery into the state budget so it will have to be approved. Since we already confiscate all this money from these peons, let's let them voluntarily give us more money too!! That will keep their arses out of SC and VA where the gas & sales taxes are lower too. While we're at it, let's ban those stupid video poker games in curb markets, we don't want these idiots wasting their money on those, the cash needs to come to us.

Bravo, we've done well! Thanks governor, you sure have earned the title "tax hike Mike".

No that's not the way they sell it to us grasshopper, we don't need to know the truth.

Like Glenn states, everything is sold "for the children"

Judging by the overwhelming public support for a lottery in our state, it would seem that the hard-working people of North Carolina are tired of driving to Virginia and South Carolina to buy lottery tickets. It follows that they are tired of paternalistic do-gooders' attempts to make the choice for them.

"How much of the lottery money, after hidden expenses and "administrative fees," will go to a good cause?"

According to the lottery bill, 16% or about $450 million would be available and would go to education.

Sounds like a "good cause" to me.

Dan, I have suspected you have inside connections for a while now. What I want to know is how high those connections go. You see, I have a message for Easley and Bush and want to make sure they reach the proper people. (LOL)

Seriously, I agree the representatives should be upfront about the lottery rather than attaching it to the state budget. I also agree it should not be under the control of fat cat politicians who have their own personal agendas.

Who do these poker machines in the "stop and stab" stores belong to? Is it some out of state enterprise? I don't know but perhaps this is the reason they will be barred. But fundraisers here in our own state, even if the money is going to a national cause, should be excluded.

I am not so much opposed to a lottery but, like you, I detest all this sneaky, underhanded BS. I still think the citizens should vote on this.Then if it passes it is the will of the citizens. Then if it is the will of the people a separate department of non-partisan folks should be appointed to handle the monies produced by the lottery. A budget should be worked out in advance allocating x percent to education, x percent for tax relief and so on.

The lottery budget should not depend on the state budget and vice versa. It should be treated as a windfall, an extra. And politicians should keep their grubby little fists off it.

16% is a joke. Would you contribute to a charity where 16% of proceeds actually went to the charity?

The state lottery has never presented itself as a charity. If memory serves me correctly, the breakdown of the proceeds was 50% for payouts, 34% administrative, and 16% for education. As stated before, the 16% equates to approximately $450 million.

I don't consider $450 million to be a laughing matter.

"I don't consider $450 million to be a laughing matter. "

I do. Especially when you compare it to 2,812,500,000.

good cipherin Jethro!

Hey Yvonne, another subject we agree on!! There is hope after all. I'm not opposed to a lottery either, frankly if people want to spend their money on lotto tix, that's their business.

My problem is sneaking the lottery into the budget and selling it as a way to help the children, the "education lottery" as many states call it. You, me, and anyone else with a bit of sense knows the politicians will get their grubby paws on that money for many other pork projects and the majority will not be spent on education.

I find it ironic that they are going to ban video poker and institute a lotto in the same budget. A clear indication that the state wants no competition for gambling proceeds.

I wouldn't be surprised if MadDog's 16% figure is accurate, but MrT makes an excellent counterpoint. What a joke! Your idea of a group of non-partisans to ensure the money goes where directed is noble, but don't hold your breath.

I have a call into GWB this afternoon, I'll see if he wants to talk to you.

thanks paw!

I could care less about a lottery, I do care about the lie to sell it. Already the democrats have said the money for constuction, will be used for a tax cut for the rich. (Winston Salem Journal) yesterday.Bill Faison wants illegal immigrants to recieve in state tution. Since these people can not legally work,then the taxpayers have to fund their education.The worst part to me is thet it will take class room space from life long hard working,tax payers in NC
Faision states I see no problem with this.Danville Register and Bee 02-05.