your right Jim, preying on the gullibility of the citizens is a job for corporations.
What does a private bingo game, raffle, or carnival game have to do with a state lottery? I have no opinion on the morality of gambling; I have very strong opinions about the role of the state in society. I don’t believe it’s the state’s business to prey on the gullibility (if not outright stupidity) of the citizens it’s supposed to serve.
I can not help but wonder if those who are dead set against the lottery have ever participated in any way church bingo, bought a raffle ticket or allowed their children to be in the cake walk at the many carnivals. It seems to me that is the same as the lottery. I have never heard anyone complain that the chance to win a cake in the cake walk is the devil’s doing or depriving someone of their next meal.
I understand from news reports that the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) is launching a media blitz aimed at pressuring three Republican Senators to change their votes on the lottery. Of all people, teachers ought to have sense enough to realize that the lottery (especially this lottery) has very little to do with education. Once again the NCAE leadership throws principal to the winds to hop in bed with democrat party leaders, regardless of the damage inflicted on the image of teachers. So much for their “non-partisan” status. The Attorney General ought to take a hard look at this thinly-veiled partisan electioneering, but then, he’ll be needing their support in 2008, right?
The scene on Jones Street this summer reminds me of an interesting quote from Jonathan Swift…..
…â€in most herds there was a sort of ruling Yahoo who was always more deformed in body, and mischievous in disposition, than any of the rest. That, his leader had usually a favorite as like himself as he could get, whose employment was to lick his master’s feet and posteriors…He usually continues in office till a worse can be found; but the very moment he is discarded, his successor, at the head of all the Yahoos in that district, young and old, male and female, come in a body, and discharge their excrements upon him from head to foot.â€
if the lottery doesnt pass, and we only end up with a measley 30 cent /pack tobacco tax increase isnt the state looking at another revenue shortfall next year?
and the lottery isnt even fun to play. I just wish they would legalize casino gambling, prostitution and all illegal drugs and tax the hell out of all of um. Oh well that wouldnt fly in Mayberry!
Remember last year when the State of Texas actually considered taxing lap dances?
Amazing priorities
Isn’t it amazing? Our legislators, by their approval, made it legal to increase the alcohol content of beer, and put more drunks on the streets in North Carolina. But, they can’t vote on a lottery. I have never heard of anyone who died from a collision with a lottery ticket.
Tony Welborne
Greensboro
Posted by News & Record at August 15, 2005 03:00 AM
Sometimes you lefties do a real service to the state, and so you all have done with your principaled opposition to the lottery. You all seem to recognize the prevailing lack of backbone or principal in the legislature today; perhaps in your campaign to rectify that you will encourage all of them to demand that their leadership open up the budeting process to full participation by all elected members, and allow time for public debate, amendments, and careful reflection before voting, rather than just rubber-stamping whatever ‘El LÃder Máximo’ decrees.
Mussolini defined fascism as
“corporatism”. Pretty good description of thedirection direction North Carolina is heading these days.
not only do the politicians not have the courage to raise revenues, they don’t have the courage to eliminate essary or wasteful or dysfunctional programs in state governemt.
Your blog is very interesint
Damn straight, Louie!
your right Jim, preying on the gullibility of the citizens is a job for corporations.
What does a private bingo game, raffle, or carnival game have to do with a state lottery? I have no opinion on the morality of gambling; I have very strong opinions about the role of the state in society. I don’t believe it’s the state’s business to prey on the gullibility (if not outright stupidity) of the citizens it’s supposed to serve.
I can not help but wonder if those who are dead set against the lottery have ever participated in any way church bingo, bought a raffle ticket or allowed their children to be in the cake walk at the many carnivals. It seems to me that is the same as the lottery. I have never heard anyone complain that the chance to win a cake in the cake walk is the devil’s doing or depriving someone of their next meal.
I understand from news reports that the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) is launching a media blitz aimed at pressuring three Republican Senators to change their votes on the lottery. Of all people, teachers ought to have sense enough to realize that the lottery (especially this lottery) has very little to do with education. Once again the NCAE leadership throws principal to the winds to hop in bed with democrat party leaders, regardless of the damage inflicted on the image of teachers. So much for their “non-partisan” status. The Attorney General ought to take a hard look at this thinly-veiled partisan electioneering, but then, he’ll be needing their support in 2008, right?
The scene on Jones Street this summer reminds me of an interesting quote from Jonathan Swift…..
…â€in most herds there was a sort of ruling Yahoo who was always more deformed in body, and mischievous in disposition, than any of the rest. That, his leader had usually a favorite as like himself as he could get, whose employment was to lick his master’s feet and posteriors…He usually continues in office till a worse can be found; but the very moment he is discarded, his successor, at the head of all the Yahoos in that district, young and old, male and female, come in a body, and discharge their excrements upon him from head to foot.â€
if the lottery doesnt pass, and we only end up with a measley 30 cent /pack tobacco tax increase isnt the state looking at another revenue shortfall next year?
and the lottery isnt even fun to play. I just wish they would legalize casino gambling, prostitution and all illegal drugs and tax the hell out of all of um. Oh well that wouldnt fly in Mayberry!
Remember last year when the State of Texas actually considered taxing lap dances?
Amazing priorities
Isn’t it amazing? Our legislators, by their approval, made it legal to increase the alcohol content of beer, and put more drunks on the streets in North Carolina. But, they can’t vote on a lottery. I have never heard of anyone who died from a collision with a lottery ticket.
Tony Welborne
Greensboro
Posted by News & Record at August 15, 2005 03:00 AM
Sometimes you lefties do a real service to the state, and so you all have done with your principaled opposition to the lottery. You all seem to recognize the prevailing lack of backbone or principal in the legislature today; perhaps in your campaign to rectify that you will encourage all of them to demand that their leadership open up the budeting process to full participation by all elected members, and allow time for public debate, amendments, and careful reflection before voting, rather than just rubber-stamping whatever ‘El LÃder Máximo’ decrees.
Mussolini defined fascism as
“corporatism”. Pretty good description of thedirection direction North Carolina is heading these days.
not only do the politicians not have the courage to raise revenues, they don’t have the courage to eliminate essary or wasteful or dysfunctional programs in state governemt.