Talk To Me
I agree with you Patrick. What got me was that based on the articles I read in the paper I got the sneaking suspicion that the two that couldn't make it seemed to let it be known they wouldn't be making it if there was a re-call.
Basically the quotes seemed to go something like (I'm paraphrasing), "Well I didn't want to vote for it, but I was having a hard time not voting for it because the kids could really use the money." It also seemed that the anti-lottery leadership knew this was coming last week and by being "unavailable" the two guys could go on record as not voting for it, the anti- crowd could cry foul (kind of, since they seem to have been a little muted this week) and the pro- crowd could get what they wanted NOW by saying "rules is rules."
In other words, through my cynical eyes it looks to me like everyone was in on it.
I have no problem with the way the lottery bill was passed because the majority of people in NC want the lottery. It was being held up because people who are supposed to represent what we want were voting against it despite the fact that it was very clearly wanted.
Lottery money that has been going to other states will now stay here and that can only help the NC schools.
There is really nothing wrong with a lottery as long as you don't go overboard. I'm sure there will be a small percentage of people who will go nuts with it, and they probably should not play. But, as with everything else, in moderation it's fine. Personally, I grew up where lottery tickets were readily available and I do play. I play for fun, not really expecting to win anything. I have won a few times, never more than $100.00. It's fun to spend a bit of money and dream about would could be if, by chance, you are to hit it big. I don't think most people really expect to win. It's entertainment, like spending your money on a movie. The difference, though, is that there is actually a small chance that you might win something and they money you spend will help schools, which is most certainly needed!
They should have at least earmarked it like Georgia did. I think the money will just go into the budget and make no real difference to anything.
Kim, I don't understand your logic in saying the ends justify the means. You appear to say that since most NC residents want the lottery, you don't care how it gets done.
Since the majority of NC residents don't want to pay any income or sales tax, is it okay to abolish that, too, even though your roads will not be repaved and our schools will close?
I see no guarantees that the schools will be helped. Even if lottery proceeds are earmarked for education, there are no safeguards in place to be sure the general funding of education is not reduced by the same amount.
Taxes and the lottery are two different things and people understand that. While nobody wants to pay taxes, most everyone realizes that they are nessasary. This was something that people wanted and it is something that we can have. Not having taxes is not an viable option. I can't see where a lottery can hurt anything. It might help, it might do nothing, but it can't hurt and I suspect it will help.
Commenting by HaloScan
