Lottery follies, part 4
The lottery bill provides $1 million a year to the Department of Health and Human Services "for gambling addiction education and treatment programs."
This says the state is going to operate an activity that it KNOWS will cause some of its residents to engage in activity so detrimental that they need treatment. But don't worry. It will pay for the treatment.
The bill also says no more than 1 percent of revenues can be spent on advertising the lottery.
Let's say revenues add up to $1 billion.
One percent is $10 million.
So, for every dollar the state spends to treat people for gambling addictions, it will spend $10 to entice them to play.
Comments (3)
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Doug,
You are so afraid that you might just cave, and buy a ticket, aren't you? Just go ahead and enroll in Gambler's Anonymous NOW so you can save yourself from this wicked, evil game.
What's your thoughts on the big, colored spot lights coming from those establishments with big bosomed babes in their undergarments? That's very enticing to some? Or what about beer commercials? Man, those just fire me off the couch and off to the nearest Piggly Wiggly for a cold one. Or, what about those fields of tobacco just growing down the road from me? Some nights when the wind is blowing in just the right direction I cannot even sleep because the smell wafts all the way into my bedroom, enticing me to go light up.
How will you find the time to fight all these bad influences that are available to us free Americans?
You better quit your day job so you can focus all your time on making us better folk, like yerself.
Posted on September 17, 2005 1:15 PM
I have higher expectations of government. I don't think it's appropriate for government to engage in the same tactics as beer makers or strip joint operators. Guess I'm just old-fashioned.
Posted on September 18, 2005 8:49 AM
Agreed Doug. One can not use the argument which caveman uses as it is like saying , Orange, because a dog house don't got wheels."
Posted on September 19, 2005 3:06 PM