OPINION: Contrary to popular myth, winning the lottery probably won’t ruin your life. But buying a lottery ticket is still a dumb thing to do.
Because lobbyists have been relentless in promoting the idea, people often assume those losses to the poorest and vulnerable are somehow made up by the fact that social services ultimately benefit.and their billionaire CEOs, the tiny corner stores and big chains which sell the tickets, the pricey marketing companies that crank out the ads which keep people hoping—all get their cut.
The rest may make their way to social programs, but generally add far less, percentage wise, than most people assume. An October 2022 report fromnotes that last year, “according to the California Department of Education, lottery income accounts for roughly one per cent of all K-12 funding,” while also pointing to a report from the National Conference of State Legislatures indicating “lotteries bring in, on average, about one percent of state revenue per year.
And because legislators often rightly see raising taxes as a potentially election-losing move, they deal with insufficient education budgets not by adding lottery revenues to the money already allocated—but by using those revenues to offset money that gets moved elsewhere, in an endless shell game. And there you have it. The lottery not only serves to further impoverish the poor, it also quite literally gives to the rich . And yet, the billions will just keep coming, a mirage of possible financial security in what can feel like an economic desert.
But more than a billion dollars is sitting there for the taking at this Friday night’s Mega Millions—funded almost entirely by working class dreamers for the benefit of the rich. Good luck.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet are still together contrary to breakup reportsThe “Kardashians” star and the “Call Me By Your Name” actor are still going strong despite outlets reporting that she had gotten “dumped” by her beau.
Read more »
Video shows Ukraine prisoner swap, contrary to pro-Russia claimsSocial media posts claim a video depicts Ukrainian soldiers surrendering to the Russian army. This is false; the clip shows a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Wagner mercenaries in late May 2023 near the city of Bakhmut.
Read more »
Indian court allows survey of historic mosque after Hindus claim ownershipThe Muslim body, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi mosque, contends that the survey is contrary to provisions of a 1991 Indian law protecting places of worship.
Read more »
Nick Jonas Shares Photo Dump With Priyanka Chopra and Daughter MaltiNick Jonas has vacation eyes and it's evident in his latest Instagram post featuring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and their daughter, Malti.
Read more »
2023 Women’s World Cup predictions: Pick the underdog in Italy vs. South AfricaAt +390, this underdog is a worthy spot to bet on Wednesday at 3 a.m. ET.
Read more »
Zack Snyder Says ‘Sucker Punch’ Being Called ‘Exploitative’ Was ‘Disheartening,’ Hopes for Director’s Cut After Studio Axed ‘Too Weird’ EndingZack Snyder says 'you'll get to see' his SuckerPunch director's cut 'at some point. I hope.' The studio thought the original ending 'was too weird.' “The main criticism of the film was it was too exploitative. I found that slightly disheartening.”
Read more »