What We’ve Lost Playing the Lottery

It’s an idiot tax.

 

The poorer class helps middle class kids go to college.

 

It’s voluntary participation. I dropped $10 on 5 tickets for the big one yesterday. Didn’t win. Not blaming anyone other than myself for the loss of $10. Would love to read the results of Cohen’s deep dive into the efficiencies of social security Ponzi scheme. I’ll wait for it

 

My middle class kids were able to go to college because their middle class parents started saving for it when they were born. And no debt.

I have maybe spent $40 on lotto over 30+ years. I’m ok with it …but some just need to learn basic economic skills. Unfortunately, I don’t think it is taught much anymore. It is a shame.

 

Let people make their own choices.

 

I won 1k on a scratch off recently and had to go to Gainesville to cash the ticket. The collection of folks in that office confirm its a game that preys on the lower class. Almost saw a fight in there too; decent comic relief at least.

 

Advertising for junk/snack food, alcohol and beer have done far worse things to the poorer class than the lottery ever will.

All are choices. Let people make them, or not.

 

Does the lottery cost society? I know that obesity in America costs all of us

 

how do you know that obesity costs society?

 

I play when it’s over 200 mil. I play one ticket, til it gets up to 700 mill or so, then I play two.
I completely understand the odds, for me it’s entertainment. Not much different in a weekly cost (in the rare event it gets over 200 mill), than going to a movie or out for a dinner. I can spend a few days daydreaming about winning it, which is worth two or 4 dollars to me.
I have seen some shows though about people who have problems with it, it’s sad. I saw one dude who spent like 500 or more a month in scratch offs, when he and his family were already struggling for money. It’s definitely a form of desperation for some folks.

 

anyone who won really big, I'd predict that it would make their life worse. I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

 

Joe Heller

True story, Word of Honor:

Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer

now dead,

and I were at a party given by a billionaire

on Shelter Island.

I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel

to know that our host only yesterday

may have made more money

than your novel ‘Catch-22’

has earned in its entire history?”

And Joe said, “I’ve got something he can never have.”

And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”

And Joe said, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.”

Not bad! Rest in peace!”

— Kurt Vonnegut

 

depends. I live in state where your identity can stay private. Wouldn’t ever have to tell a soul I had the money if I didn’t want to. Then I could just live my life with a few extra perks (I’m not a big spender even now compared to my income), anonymously help out family and friends, charities etc. Seems like a pretty sweet gig to me.

 

So you sitting out the 1.9 billion Powerball?

 

yeah everyone is different. I grew up money insecure, so that is one of my main drivers now. Save so that I don’t worry about it. This more than solves that.

 

So if I win the $1.9Billion will I get invited to places like Epstein's Island?

 

Play it when it is big for the entertainment. Pretty much needs to be a billion.

Still can’t believe I did not win on Saturday night. It felt rigged…

 

the amazing one was the drawing at 1.2 billion. The numbers literally had the date in it (11-2-22), and still no one picked it right. That was mind boggling to me, you would think a lot of people incorporate dates like that into their picks.

 

He is absolutely right! And when I win this next drawing, I will find his next study!