Lottery

Spazik · 08-26-2005, 04:59 PM

The obese monster walks up to the counter and places her 64 ounce drink near my register. Her wretched spawn are orbiting around her like ugly moons, sometimes running down the aisle to grab a candy bar or a piece of muffin loaf. I grab a bag of Skittles from one of the future degenerates and scan it.
"$9.64." My voice is flat, tired. I don't even see the money or the snack crap anymore, it's somehow become invisible to me. I usually don't even see the people anymore, the only reason I noticed this one was because of her particular ugliness, and the fact that I wanted to back-hand one of her brats on multiple occasions. Then it happens, like clockwork. As two more customers impatiently line up behind her, she leans forward to stare through the glass window in between the two registers.
"I'll take two Casino's, one Three-in-a-lne, and four Sizziling Sevens." the words dribble out of her face. Her gut is pressing against our counter, threatening to send my world of card readers and courtesy cups plummeting into a black abyss. Three customers were now lined up, impatient as always, waiting to pump gas in their car so they could pretend they had somewhere important to go.
"I also want-Macy, get away from that!- I also want three super lotto quick pick cash value's and four mega millions quick picks." I gave everything to hold back a sigh as I dragged my lazy ass over to the lotto machine.
The lottery is more than an "idiot tax", to me. You have to be stupid to play, of course. This is both my hypothesis and my observation. But does it seem right, in a culture where the gap between rich and poor is growing further and further, where minimum wage hasn't been raised since 1997 but congress' salary has been raised every session (by themselves), does it seem right to offer these morons hope for a chance out. I guess what I'm saying, does it seem right for our government to trick degenerate retards like this fat cow out of her money? Just because the government can get away with something, does that make it right? I guess I've been asking myself this all day, and wanted to see what you all thought.

MrMaelstrom · 08-27-2005, 08:32 AM

Tricky one...

I think there a whole lot worse things that the government does to you. I could ramble on and on about your Patriot Act, for example, but as an example, sufice it to say that you do not have a choice regarding anything within said act untill you vote in someone who discards it.

You do have a choice on whether to buy these lotto thingies, though. Therein lies the difference.

But you call it a sort of idiot tax, and that implies that people who are really stupid cannot help but feel drawn to those things and spend their money on them, thus making the government directly responsible for it.

Remember that the degenerate, fat, ugly, reterded cow has a right to spend her money on whatever she pleases, as long as she's not breaking any laws.

You curb that "freedom" and soon enough it will be happening to you and your "freedoms", like the freedom to go out every weekend and get seriously wasted on booze and illegal drugs, dancing amongst all the other unconformists who all strangely happen to look somewhat alike, inspite of their unconformity.

Take a couple of deep breaths, count to ten (backwards, 'cause you're goth) and it will soon go away... (meaning you'll go back to ignoring it).

MrMaelstrom · 08-27-2005, 08:35 AM

Oh, sorry if I sound a bit harsh and desilusioned myself. It was a very well written piece. I just think you need sstronger arguements if you're gonna post it on politics.

But I think it's a brilliant rant for whining or even the literature forum.

I mean, shit, man, I felt like I was working behind the counter myself. Very well described.

edible_eye · 08-27-2005, 09:24 AM

i agree with the compliment on description and wish the piece was in 'whining'.

i play mega millions - current jackpot is 111 million - although i usually refrain from buying a ticket until the jackpot reaches the realm of 30 million +. if i hit some day, i'll be sure to post a pic of me swimming within that sea of dirty green, just to illustrate how "stupid" i am. if not - and i probably won't - it's a small price to pay for a working man's fantasy.

i find it odd and perhaps, a bit humorous, that of all the things you could put a finger on regarding the government - the lottery is what puts a kink in your nutsack.

MrMaelstrom · 08-27-2005, 09:38 AM

Well, it is what he deals with on a daily basis. I'm sure the cops, servicemen and firemen would have a whole lot of different bones to pick with governments and fat-cat unions...

I still say it was a good rant...

edible_eye · 08-27-2005, 11:01 AM

damn good rant and despite the daily contact, i have to wonder why the lottery is the ONLY piece of the job that drives him nuts. it's pure curiosity, spazik.

let's think about this a moment - what about the snack foods that woman consumes in order to reach the level of obesity she has? should the government expand it's ban on them from vending machines in schools to convenience stores as well? or the government's refusal to mandate sterility in order to stem off the spawning of shitlings? what about the rising fuel prices which force gas stations to utilize 'pay before you pump'? if those impatient customers could pump first, maybe the lottery buyers would have a bit more time to make their purchase.

realistically, the list is endless and yet - it's the lottery.

the lottery.

following that line of thought - should places like foxwoods, mohegan sun, las vegas and atlantic city, et al be closed down - in your opinion?

what disgusts you more, spazik - the fact that the lottery exists, that fat women with shitty kids buy tickets or some combination thereof? or is it something else entirely? you spoke of hope - is it hope that turns your stomach?

i'm not bashing your focus of hatred - just trying to understand it.

edible_eye · 08-27-2005, 11:57 AM

ok, i've re-read your post and this is what i came up with - the lottery anecdote was a prolonged introduction to your more pertinent question, that of - "Just because the government can get away with something, does that make it right?"

the answer, in my opinion = it depends. we'd all like for our government, no matter where we live, to be honest and upfront about all matters of life but let's face it - ain't gonna happen. part of me wants to expound on this, but suddenly - i've lost interest.

sorry.

MrMaelstrom · 08-27-2005, 02:13 PM

Thanks e_e, it comes down to a question; and the answer is NO, be it government or individual.

Pretty simple really, which means there is no reason for this thread to exist anywhere besides the whining forum, but anyway, back to me...

post scriptum sorry e_e, but I don't see how it depends. Even if something is justifiable, it still doesn't automatically make it right.

edible_eye · 08-27-2005, 02:49 PM

it's "right" in the same way doing illegal drugs, having a few drinks at a bar and driving home, having a one night affair with a woman whom you have known for some time and become friendly with or any other human behaviors which are done simply because one is able to "get away with it". if one is speaking of absolute right and wrong, then there is a definite cut-and-dry "yes" or "no" when it comes to this question. human behavior rarely operates under the guise of absolutes, however.

the law is the absolute under which the government and / or the people answer for their digressions but in that case, the question would be - if the government broke the law and was able to get away with it, would that make it right? and for that, i would agree with you - the answer would be NO.

two very different scenarios, i think.

Panther · 08-27-2005, 08:50 PM

Perhaps he objects to the government selling hope to the masses, as if it makes everything more bearablee to have that one last sliver of chance, that one 'maybe this time' to look forward to, or to see through.

Maybe he's commenting on the emotional aspect of the thing. Is it right for our government to play with our emotions to fill its moneybags?

How many people rely on that hope, even though it's a false one?

I've played my share of the state lotto, to be sure. Just because. . .it's such a little amount to perhaps make a lot more. And who couldn't use the money? How many times have I plotte dout dollar for dollar what I'd do with my winnings? How many happy endings have I cooked up to amuse myself while bored at work?

I'd much prefer the government would dick me around less than have them get rid of the lotto. At least the lottery gives me dreams, and doesn't require me to take off my shoes at airports, or make me nervous about taking knitting needles with me when I move, because if they're pulled out of my scarf in progress, I'll never get the damn thing done.

edible_eye · 08-27-2005, 09:22 PM

hey, if you place the screen just right up there /\, you get to see 2 spideys jumping and punching instead of just one and let's face it - spiderman rocks everyone's socks. two spidermen is like an orgasm to the second power.

Spazik · 08-27-2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panther

Perhaps he objects to the government selling hope to the masses, as if it makes everything more bearablee to have that one last sliver of chance, that one 'maybe this time' to look forward to, or to see through.

Maybe he's commenting on the emotional aspect of the thing. Is it right for our government to play with our emotions to fill its moneybags?

How many people rely on that hope, even though it's a false one?

That was kind of my point. I agree with what Maelstorm said earlier. I'm a Libertarian, meaning I feel as long as you aren't hurting someone else (literally or metaphorically) you should be allowed to do what you want. It was kind of more a moral dilemma. If you see a retard walking down the street and you find a way to trick him out of his allowence, should you? I think that, even if you can legally, legitmatly, the morality of your actions is still a factor. Which brings me back to the lottery tickets. Just because the government tricks stupid people out of there money-and I'm sure, by the way, that the tax money is put to work on our roads and schools as well as lining a politicians pocket- is it morally acceptable?

Then again, now that I think about it all, our country and our politicians are morally bankrupt anyways. This is really just another drop in the bucket. And hey, if I believe in my right to do drugs, hire prostitutes, commit suicide, drink soda from a vending machine in high school, burn a flag, marry a fag, trade with whatever organization I want, etc, I should believe in your right to play the lottery, even if I think it's dumb.

AlKilyu · 08-27-2005, 10:09 PM

I kick ass at the lottery. I've won far more than I have put in. A couple of weeks ago, for three straight days, I'd put a dollar bill in the poker machines run by the state lottery, played the Oregon Gold game that has bonus options if you land a three of a kind that will randomly multiply your hands winnings up to 4X, and all three times I hit deal afterward and got a four card which sent me to another bonus screen that rewarded up to 55+ credits, and for three days and $3 I won close to $100. I turned in my Oregon Megabucks and Powerball tickets that I had bought that first day on Saturday which were both winners that brought the week's winnings over $200, and I had only spent $9 for it. That's not the most I've ever one at once, I once got 5 out of 6 numbers once with Megabucks, not to mention the few times I casually played Keno I hit it big with that...but I do not play on a weekly basis.

In conclusion, I dig the lottery.

I got skillz to pay the billz.

Richez for mah bitchez.

BoleroBelle · 08-28-2005, 12:52 AM

makes me quesy

edible_eye · 08-28-2005, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spazik

I should believe in your right to play the lottery, even if I think it's dumb.

as a self-proclaimed libertarian, the word "should" shouldn't even be a part of that sentence.

Panther · 08-28-2005, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spazik

is it morally acceptable?

What have morals to dow ith it? rthe governmnt is what it is.

And you missed my point. the point is that even if you don't win (alas, I lack your luck, Al), you get something in return. A dollar for an evening's amusement isn't such a terrible price to pay.

And really, the ripping off a retard analogy isn't the best to use here. Because very few people actually believe in their hearts they will win. But the playing gives a bit of hope, even if it false hope. It's not a stupid tax, though it can be, yes, but a tax on the need to have something to wish for.

MrMaelstrom · 08-29-2005, 09:16 AM

Hang on, don't the state lotteries in your country contribute most of the money to state-run charities?

Because here they do. The money from Lottery, Lotto, scratch tickets or whatever goes straight into state-run or sponsored charities that help the homeless, the physically and mental disables as well the the blind and hearing-impaired and so on, if you get my drift, so it kind of deflates the arguement of government ripping off people just for money's sake.

pitseleh · 08-29-2005, 10:08 AM

Yeah, that's the way it goes here, too. Not to mention the lottery, the Red Cross and other such organizations own these - I don't know the name - one-armed bandits or whatever, all over the country.

Of course, us having a Christian Democrat government who are, eh, HELL-BENT on protecting people from themselves, there is a proposition to ban these machines. Roulette, gambling and all that is not legal in Norway, so that's ok... But it's - if not exactly a TRUTH - then at least a symptom of a sick society, that so many wage-slaves of varying intelligence depend on these frail hopes of winning big. I never play, though. Maybe I should, since my grandfather claims I was "born under a lucky star". But I figure I might as well dream for free, for all the chance I have of actually winning the Lotto...

Of course it also creates misery and addiction, along with the positive effects of charities getting more dough. Do they have a moral responsibility to not profit from some poor schmo's gambling addiction? Are the sounds and blinking lights on the machines too enticing to resist playing it? Would it help if they were soundless? These are the tough questions some of our more anxious politicians are asking themselves. Good grief. Thankfully, we DO have some smart ones with a broader perspective, too.

Empty_Purple_Stars · 08-30-2005, 12:40 PM

This little snippet was taken from the Oregon Lottery's mainpage:

Oregonians vote to approve the broad categories that may receive Oregon Lottery funds, and have approved Constitutional amendments allowing Lottery funds to be used for economic development (1984), public education (1995) and natural resource programs (1998). Then, every two years, Oregon's Legislature and Governor decide which specific programs and projects within those categories receive Lottery profits. During the current biennium (2001-2003), almost 63% of all Lottery profits, nearly $430 million, is going to public education. The remainder is going to economic development, parks and natural resources, and problem gambling treatment programs.

Oregon voters have authorized Lottery profits to be spent for public education, economic development and natural resource programs. Every two years, the Legislative Assembly and the Governor decide which programs and projects within these categories receive these funds.

Lottery funds allocated for K-12 education go to the State School Fund, and are distributed to school districts using the same formula as all other moneys in that fund.

Lottery funds allocated for parks & salmon restoration projects go to the Natural Resource Fund, and are distributed to programs and agencies such as the Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board, Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Recreation, Agriculture, Forestry, and DEQ.

Lottery funds for economic development and job creation are administered through the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department. This department's Lottery fund programs include assistance for each of Oregon’s major industries, such as manufacturing, high-tech, agriculture, fisheries, medical research and development, tourism, and small businesses. The Oregon Economic & Community Development Department also administers Lottery funds for public works projects that will assist communities in supporting local economic development.

If you would like more information about applying for Lottery-funded grants and loans through the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department, call 1(503) 986-0123.

So uhh yeah..

Me playing the lottery would be like a man dying of thirst, using a collander to collect water..

Figure that one out..

Murble...

MrMaelstrom · 08-31-2005, 10:21 AM

Er....I can't...I don't know what a colander is...

Is a colander anything like a sieve?

edible_eye · 08-31-2005, 11:01 AM

essentially, yes.

Empty_Purple_Stars · 08-31-2005, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMaelstrom

Er....I can't...I don't know what a colander is...

Is a colander anything like a sieve?

AlKilyu · 09-02-2005, 10:19 PM

I went to get an order of Kung Pow Tofu. I hadn't played video poker since my last run of luck, so while they were making it, I put a couple of dollars in and played. I was down to my last two credits when I got four out of five needed for a royal flush diamond.

So I hit 'Deal'.

Bang bang.

$300 dollars. I had a few over that so I decided to play them til I got to $300 even, and kept getting straights and three of a kind. My dinner was paid for, I tipped, and walked out with $320!

Spazik · 09-02-2005, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlKilyu

I went to get an order of Kung Pow Tofu. I hadn't played video poker since my last run of luck, so while they were making it, I put a couple of dollars in and played. I was down to my last two credits when I got four out of five needed for a royal flush diamond.

So I hit 'Deal'.

Bang bang.

$300 dollars. I had a few over that so I decided to play them til I got to $300 even, and kept getting straights and three of a kind. My dinner was paid for, I tipped, and walked out with $320!

Wait, they have video poker in oregon? I'm confused.