Disgusted

[Dichotomy]

^^^^  I've had a stepdaughter Dred.  Miss that kid and worry about her a lot. 

but at least your counterpoint had some logic behind it as usual

Thus the reason I didn't say anything or react to my first instinct and pay for the toy she wanted.  I didn't 'know' the whole situation but on the surface it looked, to me, like daddy putting his own wants and desires ahead of his child who, to me, was being selfless in her desire to get something for somebody else.  That's rare in a child of that age IMHO...   

[DREDIOCK]

State lotteries (also know as the "stupid tax") are immoral.

I could go on a long rant here but that would only get me  "see rule #14".

Ut oh. the morality police have shown up



 

[saggs]

Ut oh. the morality police have shown up

(Image removed from quote.)

 

That's right, don't mess with us.  

But seriously, state lotteries are enabling people who are addicts.  I've seen mothers in the grocery store who can't even put decent shoes on their kids (in the middle of winter no less) and who pay for their groceries with food stamps, yet they'll drop $20 on lotto tickets.   Why does the State need to be an enabler for people with gambling problems, at the expense of their children?

Oh, that's right... ...   so they can throw money at their poor education system and hope it gets better.    

Mmmmm so, your mom's an idiot who spends money on lotto tickets instead of clothing you properly.  But that's OK cause that money means the teachers at your POS public school are going to get paid a few bucks more.  Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa...  Way to help the children.  

[kilo2]

That's right, don't mess with us.  

But seriously, state lotteries are enabling people who are addicts.  I've seen mothers in the grocery store who can't even put decent shoes on their kids (in the middle of winter no less) and who pay for their groceries with food stamps, yet they'll drop $20 on lotto tickets.   Why does the State need to be an enabler for people with gambling problems, at the expense of their children?

Oh, that's right... ...   so they can throw money at their poor education system and hope it gets better.    

Mmmmm so, your mom's an idiot who spends money on lotto tickets instead of clothing you properly.  But that's OK cause that money means the teachers at your POS public school are going to get paid a few bucks more.  Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa...  Way to help the children.  

If you took the lotto away it would be something else. Its not the states fault there are bad parents out there. Some people with a problem should not limit others who do not have said problem. Fear for the children has been an excuse for a very long time. Its just an excuse many times to limit people. There is a time and place for the fear for the children excuse to be used and lottos is not it.

[Dichotomy]

*note to self

don't start any more threads... The tend to turn into flame fests...

chill guys...   opinions are universal.. we all have em

[ozrocker]

You dont have any daughters do you?

If I bought my daughter something every time she asked me to. I'd be able to open not just one, but my own chain of toy stores.
I've used the "dont have the money/cant afford" excuse plenty. Its easier then arguing with a 7 year old girl and listening to the whining.

Remember. When your dealing with little girls. Your dealing with miniature women. And very time you go out they think its to get them something.
I am convinced that women are from birth ingrained with some sort of screwball gene that causes them to instinctively seek ways to part men with their money over nonsensical and often not needed things. And with little girls just like their full grown counterparts. Their great idea usually becomes your headache.

Matter of fact sometimes I feel like I have two wives.


Men are like dogs. When we are young we are like puppies that eventually grow into a dog.
Women are like cats. It doesnt take them but long enough to be able to walk before they can slice and dice you.

Men start off as boys and eventually become men.

Women like cats. Are women right out of the box. And it doesnt take them but to learn how to talk before they start wanting and expecting crap

QFT as far as Lottery goes and some of the statements here. Lottery gives those of us po folks (actually I'm Middle-Class which is now poor as well) and anyone else, a chance to maybe better our lives and make our and our families dreams come true. Many know and expect not to win millions, but once in a while you do win for a few hundred or a few grand even. I would rather see people buy lotto tix than crack                                                                                                                  <S> Oz
                 <S> Oz

[Dadsguns]

If you took the lotto away it would be something else. Its not the states fault there are bad parents out there. Some people with a problem should not limit others who do not have said problem. Fear for the children has been an excuse for a very long time. Its just an excuse many times to limit people. There is a time and place for the fear for the children excuse to be used and lottos is not it.

Insert any problem in that line,,, don't want to work, lazy, smoking, drinking, gambling, etc etc, just about anything legal can go in there.........

[saggs]

If you took the lotto away it would be something else. Its not the states fault there are bad parents out there. Some people with a problem should not limit others who do not have said problem. Fear for the children has been an excuse for a very long time. Its just an excuse many times to limit people. There is a time and place for the fear for the children excuse to be used and lottos is not it.

Yes there would be something else, like crack or cigarettes, or alcohol, or gambling at a private casino, or frivolous shopping.  But hey guess what?  None of THESE are run by the state.  Of course people will always find ways to screw up their life, but it should not be the state doing the screwing.  I'm of the political bent that governments should do the bare minimum they are allowed to do, and stay the heck out of everything else.


I can't really make my point any clearer without violating rule 14.

So I'm out.  

[ozrocker]

Oh, now the states are controlling WILL power. Some are addicted to gambling, but most play on occasion.
People have every option NOT to play. Freedom of choice. Free Will. (within common sense of course). We all have it here.
There is nothing wrong with spending 50 cents, for a chance to win several thousands of dollars. As long as YOU have enough sense when to play or not play.

                                                                                                                             <S>Oz

[Penguin]

Look, neither of these two extremes is right, and you guys know it.  We're here today because we were the smartest of the bunch, and our heads have brains in them for a reason.  Therefore, we must realize that to defer to an absolute is pointless; in other words, doing nothing about poor parenting is just a idiotic as doing everything about poor parenting.  You can't fix stupid, but some of those people aren't stupid, just ignorant.

If people want to buy lottery tickets, by all means they should.  And if they don't have the sense to stop playing when they start to spiral down, there's only so much we can do to help.  If they don't want to be helped, well we're better off with one fewer numbskull on the planet.

So I beseech you of higher thought, use it, don't become extreme to on direction or the other.  It is futile, as to do nothing leaves us with nothing, and to do everything leaves with rebellion.  Negligence, along with totalitarianism have been the downfall of many a civilization, let us not be drawn to either one.

-Penguin

[Obie303]

*note to self

don't start any more threads... The tend to turn into flame fests...

chill guys...   opinions are universal.. we all have em

Even though your thoughts/intentions here are good, life is full of all types of people. 

Everyone has seen people behave in a way that disgusts us.  It's hard to walk away, but you have to.  Talking about morals here is always a bad idea.  I empathize with how you felt at that time.  I also commend you for sharing that story here.  There will be another time and place where your good intentions will be received in a better situation.   

[saggs]

Oh, now the states are controlling WILL power. Some are addicted to gambling, but most play on occasion.
People have every option NOT to play. Freedom of choice. Free Will. (within common sense of course). We all have it here.
There is nothing wrong with spending 50 cents, for a chance to win several thousands of dollars. As long as YOU have enough sense when to play or not play.

                                                                                                                             <S>Oz

Sigh...  Everyone is still completely missing the point I'm trying to make.  It's not the lotto, it's the fact that the STATE is running it.   Let me try this a different way.

If a state has legalized marijuana, should the state government run a bunch of marijuana farms, processing plants and stores?  

If a state (like Nevada) has legalized prostitution, should the state government hire prostitutes and run a bunch of brothels?



Why then, when a state has legalized gambling, does the state government run it?  

That is simply not in the realm of the governments responsibility. If it's legal, and a private firm wants to run a lotto, then fine.  The state government's responsibility is then to enforce whatever regulations they have set on gambling, not to be in the business themselves.

[CAP1]

QFT as far as Lottery goes and some of the statements here. Lottery gives those of us po folks (actually I'm Middle-Class which is now poor as well) and anyone else, a chance to maybe better our lives and make our and our families dreams come true. Many know and expect not to win millions, but once in a while you do win for a few hundred or a few grand even. I would rather see people buy lotto tix than crack                                                                                                                  <S> Oz
                 <S> Oz

you've got a better chance of passing out, staggering out in the street while unconscious, then hit by a mack truck, struck by lightning, and then eaten by a pack of carnivorous squirrels, which are in turn caught in that flash flood on this bright sunny day,  than you do of ever hitting the lottery.

[kilo2]

Sigh...  Everyone is still completely missing the point I'm trying to make.  It's not the lotto, it's the fact that the STATE is running it.   Let me try this a different way.

If a state has legalized marijuana, should the state government run a bunch of marijuana farms, processing plants and stores?  

If a state (like Nevada) has legalized prostitution, should the state government hire prostitutes and run a bunch of brothels?



Why then, when a state has legalized gambling, does the state government run it?  

That is simply not in the realm of the governments responsibility. If it's legal, and a private firm wants to run a lotto, then fine.  The state government's responsibility is then to enforce whatever regulations they have set on gambling, not to be in the business themselves.

I see your point. I have to disagree as here in Arkansas they just put in the lotto. The Arkansas scholarship lotto which now I get 2,000 dollars a semester just for having decent grades and being a Arkansas resident. They may have no business in it but I am glad they are in it.

[kilo2]

you've got a better chance of passing out, staggering out in the street while unconscious, then hit by a mack truck, struck by lightning, and then eaten by a pack of carnivorous squirrels, which are in turn caught in that flash flood on this bright sunny day,  than you do of ever hitting the lottery.

but there is a chance...