"I know a poor family that will spend children’s lunch and clothes money to buy these tickets in what we know will bring them nothing but more poverty."

I guess it's a darn good thing this family doesn't live very close to Virginia.

I know a poor family that will spend children’s lunch and clothes money to buy these tickets in what we know will bring them nothing but more poverty.

I'm against the lottery, but that's no reason to oppose it. If they waste their money on the lottery instead of taking care of their children, that's their own stupid decision. The same is true with Bingo, but that doesn't mean Bingo should be illegal.

But to be clear, I'm absolutely against a state lottery.

No. Poor children most likely will not pay the price. We have social services in place to make sure most poor children receive essential services and medical care.

It is the middle class and average joe who will pay the price to fund those social services.

I am not against the lottery, but I doubt I'll buy many tickets.

"I know a poor family"

I'll get back to you on that one.

Well, I guess if that is the way they would behave, it is no secret why they are poor.

Geez...starving children over lottery ticket purchases. Ms. Lomax: If you are any kind of person, you bill call Child Protective Services. I live in a state that has had a lottery for many years [and no, it's not VA or SC or anywhere near there]. What our lotto has done is contributed millions of $$ a year to the schools thereby helping children. I've not read anything in our newspapers about Child Protective Services having an overload in their case files due to the lottery. I have noticed that these kids have textbooks and decent schools thanks, in part, to the lottery. You really shouldn't state 'facts' about things unless you know what you're talking about.

In response to Diane Lomax comment, do you really think all of us poor people are losers on drugs and don't care about our kids? Get a life lady. Just for your info the lottery proceeds usually benifet schools and other services. Its about time North Carolina passed the lottery. For your info there are a lot of your kind with gambling problems not just us filthy pathetic POOR people. Way to encourge us poor people, will you welcome Katrina victims with your same rudness? hope not

Diane Lomax did your head fall off and you sat on it by accident? I'm sure thats what happened when you also voted. Lottery proceeds help the so called poor get educated among other things, sounds like you need some education. I will however agree with you politicans are greedy but that will never change, but your veiws on the less fortunate I hope will change. Do you really think only poor people make poor choices? They just pay a higher price. Also food stamps dont buy lottery tickets. So if you win the lottery I hope to see you donate to the poor.

"But to be clear, I'm absolutely against a state lottery."

I'm wondering why, Paul? How does a lottery infringe on any citizen's liberty? Just curious.

I was woundering if anyone has seen poor people on the streets today, yesterday, or a year ago? I know I have. Yes there are people who are going to go overboard on the lottery, but these are the same people that are willing to drive to another state and blow all there money on that states lottery. I just moved from the west coast where the state I lived and the state just across the river both had lottery. there was homeless people, yet all the homeless people I've talked to were not homeless because of over the lottery. Lots of people are out on the streets due to drinking (either them or someone in the family) abuse, losing there job,not being able to reajust to life outside of prison or mental illness. I didn't buy lots of lottery tickets myself but I have purchased them in the past and the taxes from the lottery go back to the state. I know this is not as much as they make it out to be but every penny helps, aswell as the lottery donating money to womens selters and to help feed and home the homeless I also use to temper the glass that they used in my state for scratch off tickets so it also provides some jobs too. I really dont see the harm in lottery coming to this state because there is alot of good things that can come out of it aswell.I don't work for the lottery but I am supporting it.

Eric,

I'm wondering why, Paul? How does a lottery infringe on any citizen's liberty? Just curious.

Well, ok. I'm not necessarily against it in any case. If the lottery bill included a tax cut commensurate with the amount of revenue the lottery will generate, I would have been the lottery's number-one proponent.

It doesn't though. Instead, the state will now have lots more money with which to grow even larger and ruin our lives to an even greater degree.

"Mrs Lomax: If you are any kind of person, you will call Child Protective Services."

I personally know Mrs. Lomax and if you are asking Mrs. Lomax whether she is "the kind of person" who would call child services on a family before making any attempt to lend a helping hand and correct their situation, you are right... its not Mrs. Lomax. Mrs. Lomax tried extremely hard to turn the family around without calling child services, which would likely split the children up in order for them to get a new home. "The kind of person" Mrs. Lomax is, is one who, because the parents cannot drive, took the children to school, took them to church every Sunday, bought them clothes, helped them study and do their homework. She also helped the family pay their utilities and buy food. But what does the family do with their money? They waste it on cigarretts, beer, and LOTTERY TICKETS.

Yes, there are things other than the lottery, people like this family waste their limited income on, but it seems the point Mrs. Lomax is trying to make is, why help put the burden of raising money for our schools on these people who don't manage their money. Ultimately, for these families it is the children who suffer. No, these families are not the only people buying the tickets, but why make it easier for them to make their lives worse off. If our school systems are so bad off, why not look to our elected officials for help and not the poor.

It's just her opinion. If you dont like her opinion, fine. Maybe Tony & Everyone whose head is attached still could respect other peoples opinions without making snap judgements and disrespectful comments. Quick question. When was the last time you attempted to help a family out, without calling on someone else to do it for you?