UGA picked, not AU

[AUChizad 0]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

News to Bama Possum...Dandy Don is going to jail.

If we had of voted in the lottery, he would be going to jail....a rich bastard. And every good ole'boy involved in the lottery would be a rich bastard.

Ok, that's just dumb.

The money would have gone to improve our 47th ranked education system, not the politician's wallets.

We needed a lottery bad in this state.

And win, you're right about people clinging too tightly to what their pastors say. I remember when the bill was to be voted on, every single church marquee in town had "Vote No" on it.

That's why it didn't pass. Somehow the churches convinced people they were going to hell if they allowed a the same state lottery that virtually every other state in the union has.

Apparently, gambling is a sin and a big enough threat that we'd rather be a bankrupt state with a dead education system. Either that or they want a huge tax hike.

Nevermind the raffles and Bingo games that are held at churches.

[boddatiger99 5]

A serious suggestion...join your local AU Alumni Club.

The Atlanta Auburn Club sponsors some scholarships that send people from their area to the Plains.

http://www.atlantaauburnclub.org/

You Can Help Us Send Metro Area Tigers to AU

The Atlanta Auburn Club is a nonprofit organization with 501©(3) status held by its

Roy B. Sewell Memorial Scholarship Fund. Every year charitable contributions made to this fund help the AAC finance scholarships for graduates of metro Atlanta high schools to attend Auburn University.

To help young Tigers get to Auburn, send your tax-deductible donation to AAC Treasurer Janet Mertz. You can e-mail her at treasurer@atlantaauburnclub.org. Please make your check out to the Roy B. Sewell Memorial Scholarship Fund.

More than 17,000 Auburn alumni call the metro Atlanta area home – a total second only to Lee County, Ala., home of Auburn University.

Here's a link to all the clubs in your area.

http://www.alumni.auburn.edu/clubs-nonAL/GA.html

Great suggestion. Email just sent.

[boddatiger99 5]

Something I didn't mention before is why I'm so involved in this and serious about it. (Cause you may be thinking, "Dude, tons of kids find themselves in this predicament...big deal.")

The brief version:

This girl's mom works f/t in our office. The past 3 years have been incredibly difficult for their family. They went from a "normal" family of hubby, wife, 2 kids and a dog...to the Dad getting mixed up with a bad business partner who turned him on to drugs and fraud. It ripped the family. Our office has adopted this hard working mom and her two kids. And naturally, when I learned that her daughter was considering Auburn, I went into overdrive.

Ultimately, God has great plans for this girl...I know that...even if it's UGA ( ). Just thought I would exhaust every avenue first.

Chow.

[JohnDeere 0]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

News to Bama Possum...Dandy Don is going to jail.

If we had of voted in the lottery, he would be going to jail....a rich bastard. And every good ole'boy involved in the lottery would be a rich bastard.

Ok, that's just dumb.

The money would have gone to improve our 47th ranked education system, not the politician's wallets.

We needed a lottery bad in this state.

And win, you're right about people clinging too tightly to what their pastors say. I remember when the bill was to be voted on, every single church marquee in town had "Vote No" on it.

That's why it didn't pass. Somehow the churches convinced people they were going to hell if they allowed a the same state lottery that virtually every other state in the union has.

Apparently, gambling is a sin and a big enough threat that we'd rather be a bankrupt state with a dead education system. Either that or they want a huge tax hike.

Nevermind the raffles and Bingo games that are held at churches.

Ok, my dumb self voted for Don S. I attended one of Don's rallies promoting the lottery. Heard the lectures from all of the profs saying how great it would be, but I couldn't bring myself to vote 'yes' for it.

I have family living in Buford and Athens, GA. I have in-laws working in the school systems in GA. True, it does directly benefit the funding to elementary and highschools, but the college tuition part is about as backwards as it can be. The low income and lower middle class income folks of GA who spend $5-$10 a week on lottery tickets are paying for the kids of the upper middle class and upper class to go to a public institution(UGA in this case) for free.

[AUChizad 0]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

News to Bama Possum...Dandy Don is going to jail.

If we had of voted in the lottery, he would be going to jail....a rich bastard. And every good ole'boy involved in the lottery would be a rich bastard.

Ok, that's just dumb.

The money would have gone to improve our 47th ranked education system, not the politician's wallets.

We needed a lottery bad in this state.

And win, you're right about people clinging too tightly to what their pastors say. I remember when the bill was to be voted on, every single church marquee in town had "Vote No" on it.

That's why it didn't pass. Somehow the churches convinced people they were going to hell if they allowed a the same state lottery that virtually every other state in the union has.

Apparently, gambling is a sin and a big enough threat that we'd rather be a bankrupt state with a dead education system. Either that or they want a huge tax hike.

Nevermind the raffles and Bingo games that are held at churches.

Ok, my dumb self voted for Don S. I attended one of Don's rallies promoting the lottery. Heard the lectures from all of the profs saying how great it would be, but I couldn't bring myself to vote 'yes' for it.

I have family living in Buford and Athens, GA. I have in-laws working in the school systems in GA. True, it does directly benefit the funding to elementary and highschools, but the college tuition part is about as backwards as it can be. The low income and lower middle class income folks of GA who spend $5-$10 a week on lottery tickets are paying for the kids of the upper middle class and upper class to go to a public institution(UGA in this case) for free.

No one's holding a gun to their head. It's not like their literally taxing the poor to pay for the uppermiddle class's education.

These people want to gamble. And they will gamble. They'll just do it in Mississippi, or drive to GA or FL to play the lotto. They'll just boost the economy of all of our neighboring states while ours remains in the dumps.

[80Tiger 904]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

News to Bama Possum...Dandy Don is going to jail.

If we had of voted in the lottery, he would be going to jail....a rich bastard. And every good ole'boy involved in the lottery would be a rich bastard.

Ok, that's just dumb.

The money would have gone to improve our 47th ranked education system, not the politician's wallets.

We needed a lottery bad in this state.

And win, you're right about people clinging too tightly to what their pastors say. I remember when the bill was to be voted on, every single church marquee in town had "Vote No" on it.

That's why it didn't pass. Somehow the churches convinced people they were going to hell if they allowed a the same state lottery that virtually every other state in the union has.

Apparently, gambling is a sin and a big enough threat that we'd rather be a bankrupt state with a dead education system. Either that or they want a huge tax hike.

Nevermind the raffles and Bingo games that are held at churches.

I don't know if gambling is a sin. I have been to casinos. I get bored with them very fast. I have never bought a lottery ticket. That being said, how do you know what the churches were telling their members? I have been in some churches while they were preaching/discussing this issue. I have never heard any preacher say from the pulpit that a person would go to hell for having a lottery. What I have heard them say is that a lottery is funded by those that can least afford it. It rides the back of the poor. There are consequences for those families that spend to much on the lottery. Did they use the rent money or the food money to buy lottery tickets. For those of you who want it to be used for higher education; why? Why should someone else pay for something that you are receiving. Why should the govenment be responsible for your college education. I have one that has already graduated and on that is a senior at AU and one that will eventually go to college. Yes, it would be great if someone else paid for it, but it is no ones resposniblity except mine and my families. Each of my children have worked to help supplement the cost. When I was at AU in the late 70's I had two other brothers in college at the same time. I was fortunate to have good summer jobs and jobs during the breaks between quarters. I had to work, but because of that I was able to pay 100% of my college expenses; tuition, books and living. It just means you had to work.

Do I think college is expensive, you better believe it, in fact the tuition increases each year are getting ridiculous.

For those that believe that a lottery would improve all levels of education because of the extra money, how much do you send to your local school each month? I believe those that truly believe the schools need extra money, would send monthly donations. Just write a check to you local school, or pick one out across the state and just send them cash each month. The fact is that I believe most don't. We just want someone else to pay for it.

[saniflush 0]

Yea and while we are talking about it. All you folks that send your kids to public schools need to cut me a check right now. I have no kids and do not get anything for the portion of my taxes that goes toward the school system.

[AUChizad 0]

I don't know if gambling is a sin. I have been to casinos. I get bored with them very fast. I have never bought a lottery ticket. That being said, how do you know what the churches were telling their members? I have been in some churches while they were preaching/discussing this issue. I have never heard any preacher say from the pulpit that a person would go to hell for having a lottery. What I have heard them say is that a lottery is funded by those that can least afford it. It rides the back of the poor. There are consequences for those families that spend to much on the lottery. Did they use the rent money or the food money to buy lottery tickets. For those of you who want it to be used for higher education; why? Why should someone else pay for something that you are receiving. Why should the govenment be responsible for your college education. I have one that has already graduated and on that is a senior at AU and one that will eventually go to college. Yes, it would be great if someone else paid for it, but it is no ones resposniblity except mine and my families. Each of my children have worked to help supplement the cost. When I was at AU in the late 70's I had two other brothers in college at the same time. I was fortunate to have good summer jobs and jobs during the breaks between quarters. I had to work, but because of that I was able to pay 100% of my college expenses; tuition, books and living. It just means you had to work.

Do I think college is expensive, you better believe it, in fact the tuition increases each year are getting ridiculous.

For those that believe that a lottery would improve all levels of education because of the extra money, how much do you send to your local school each month? I believe those that truly believe the schools need extra money, would send monthly donations. Just write a check to you local school, or pick one out across the state and just send them cash each month. The fact is that I believe most don't. We just want someone else to pay for it.

If they instituted a lottery, I'd sure be donating regularly.

It's not a suprise that people would rather donate through the profits earned from doing something they'd enjoy doing anyway, than just to hand over the money as something for nothing.

The argument that it exploits the poor is a fallacy, in my opinion.

First of all, I believe that many more of these people who we're trying to "protect" by voting against a lottery, are the ones that will be able to get into college and better themselves with the lottery in place, when they would have previously not been afforded that opportunity.

Secondly, this fallacy assumes that only poor trash would put their money into a lottery. This is just not true. The middle class would be paying for the poor's tuition just as much as the vice-versa scenario.

And finally, as I said, people who want to gamble will still gamble. They'll just do it online, or in Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, or Tennessee, and put the kids of those states through college.

As far as the church thing, as I said every church marquee in town said "Vote No On The Lottery". That's pretty plain and simple.

[autigeremt 6,716]

Yea and while we are talking about it. All you folks that send your kids to public schools need to cut me a check right now. I have no kids and do not get anything for the portion of my taxes that goes toward the school system.

Good point, however society benefits in the end, and that benefits all of us. Some more than others, but a benefit it is

autigerbaseballsocial.com

Here's a way to help with those schollies

[JohnDeere 0]

If they instituted a lottery, I'd sure be donating regularly.

It's not a suprise that people would rather donate through the profits earned from doing something they'd enjoy doing anyway, than just to hand over the money as something for nothing.

The argument that it exploits the poor is a fallacy, in my opinion.

First of all, I believe that many more of these people who we're trying to "protect" by voting against a lottery, are the ones that will be able to get into college and better themselves with the lottery in place, when they would have previously not been afforded that opportunity.

Secondly, this fallacy assumes that only poor trash would put their money into a lottery. This is just not true. The middle class would be paying for the poor's tuition just as much as the vice-versa scenario.

And finally, as I said, people who want to gamble will still gamble. They'll just do it online, or in Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, or Tennessee, and put the kids of those states through college.

As far as the church thing, as I said every church marquee in town said "Vote No On The Lottery". That's pretty plain and simple.

Look at the situation at UGA for example. UGA is becoming the "Harvard of the South" as one has previously said on this board; the fact is applicantions to UGA has increased four or five fold since the lottery came online. So, UGA picks the cream of the crop to admit; and it ain't the poor black kids from College Park and LaGrange with "B" averages getting into UGA, it is the upper middle class kids from the "better" school districts with "B" average along with the higher ACT and SAT scores because their parents could pay for them to take the prep courses.

BTW..offical thread highjack

[AU alum 2]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

News to Bama Possum...Dandy Don is going to jail.

If we had of voted in the lottery, he would be going to jail....a rich bastard. And every good ole'boy involved in the lottery would be a rich bastard.

Guess what? He's a rich bastard anyway. But you're right, he is going to jail. I love the irony....a lawyer and politician going to jail!

[AU alum 2]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

The "reason" that I kept hearing was that poor people would buy lottery tickets and they would not take care of themselves or their family on "necessities". Seems like that's their problem to me. I was for the lottery, too. I like the idea of scholarships for a poorer state. Also, the reason was given that politicians would skim off a lot of the money. Well, that would not be a good thing, but some money is better than no money to us, I say.

News to Bama Possum...Dandy Don is going to jail.

If we had of voted in the lottery, he would be going to jail....a rich bastard. And every good ole'boy involved in the lottery would be a rich bastard.

Ok, that's just dumb.

The money would have gone to improve our 47th ranked education system, not the politician's wallets.

We needed a lottery bad in this state.

And win, you're right about people clinging too tightly to what their pastors say. I remember when the bill was to be voted on, every single church marquee in town had "Vote No" on it.

That's why it didn't pass. Somehow the churches convinced people they were going to hell if they allowed a the same state lottery that virtually every other state in the union has.

Apparently, gambling is a sin and a big enough threat that we'd rather be a bankrupt state with a dead education system. Either that or they want a huge tax hike.

Nevermind the raffles and Bingo games that are held at churches.

[saniflush 0]

Yea and while we are talking about it. All you folks that send your kids to public schools need to cut me a check right now. I have no kids and do not get anything for the portion of my taxes that goes toward the school system.

Good point, however society benefits in the end, and that benefits all of us. Some more than others, but a benefit it is

I don't know. The last couple students I was around needed to go back to school.

[AUChizad 0]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

The "reason" that I kept hearing was that poor people would buy lottery tickets and they would not take care of themselves or their family on "necessities". Seems like that's their problem to me. I was for the lottery, too. I like the idea of scholarships for a poorer state. Also, the reason was given that politicians would skim off a lot of the money. Well, that would not be a good thing, but some money is better than no money to us, I say.

News to Bama Possum...Dandy Don is going to jail.

If we had of voted in the lottery, he would be going to jail....a rich bastard. And every good ole'boy involved in the lottery would be a rich bastard.

Ok, that's just dumb.

The money would have gone to improve our 47th ranked education system, not the politician's wallets.

We needed a lottery bad in this state.

And win, you're right about people clinging too tightly to what their pastors say. I remember when the bill was to be voted on, every single church marquee in town had "Vote No" on it.

That's why it didn't pass. Somehow the churches convinced people they were going to hell if they allowed a the same state lottery that virtually every other state in the union has.

Apparently, gambling is a sin and a big enough threat that we'd rather be a bankrupt state with a dead education system. Either that or they want a huge tax hike.

Nevermind the raffles and Bingo games that are held at churches.

I think you messed up the quote feature but actually posted this part:

The "reason" that I kept hearing was that poor people would buy lottery tickets and they would not take care of themselves or their family on "necessities". Seems like that's their problem to me. I was for the lottery, too. I like the idea of scholarships for a poorer state. Also, the reason was given that politicians would skim off a lot of the money. Well, that would not be a good thing, but some money is better than no money to us, I say.

I'm not a mod, so I can't fix it for you.

But I agree. And my big thing is, how is it the government's place to decide what they should blow their money on. If not gambling, then it maybe they'll blow it on alcohol. Or anything for that matter.

Actually, where they go to get their gambling vices is at the dog tracks. How that can be ok while slot machines and lottery tickets that could be used for charity are hand crafted by the devil, I'll never understand.

[SouthLink02 8]

Look at the situation at UGA for example. UGA is becoming the "Harvard of the South" as one has previously said on this board; the fact is applicantions to UGA has increased four or five fold since the lottery came online. So, UGA picks the cream of the crop to admit; and it ain't the poor black kids from College Park and LaGrange with "B" averages getting into UGA, it is the upper middle class kids from the "better" school districts with "B" average along with the higher ACT and SAT scores because their parents could pay for them to take the prep courses.

I may need to save this coming from you

[mowegl 4]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

The "reason" that I kept hearing was that poor people would buy lottery tickets and they would not take care of themselves or their family on "necessities". Seems like that's their problem to me. I was for the lottery, too. I like the idea of scholarships for a poorer state. Also, the reason was given that politicians would skim off a lot of the money. Well, that would not be a good thing, but some money is better than no money to us, I say.

News to Bama Possum...Dandy Don is going to jail.

If we had of voted in the lottery, he would be going to jail....a rich bastard. And every good ole'boy involved in the lottery would be a rich bastard.

Ok, that's just dumb.

The money would have gone to improve our 47th ranked education system, not the politician's wallets.

We needed a lottery bad in this state.

And win, you're right about people clinging too tightly to what their pastors say. I remember when the bill was to be voted on, every single church marquee in town had "Vote No" on it.

That's why it didn't pass. Somehow the churches convinced people they were going to hell if they allowed a the same state lottery that virtually every other state in the union has.

Apparently, gambling is a sin and a big enough threat that we'd rather be a bankrupt state with a dead education system. Either that or they want a huge tax hike.

Nevermind the raffles and Bingo games that are held at churches.

I think you messed up the quote feature but actually posted this part:

The "reason" that I kept hearing was that poor people would buy lottery tickets and they would not take care of themselves or their family on "necessities". Seems like that's their problem to me. I was for the lottery, too. I like the idea of scholarships for a poorer state. Also, the reason was given that politicians would skim off a lot of the money. Well, that would not be a good thing, but some money is better than no money to us, I say.

I'm not a mod, so I can't fix it for you.

But I agree. And my big thing is, how is it the government's place to decide what they should blow their money on. If not gambling, then it maybe they'll blow it on alcohol. Or anything for that matter.

Actually, where they go to get their gambling vices is at the dog tracks. How that can be ok while slot machines and lottery tickets that could be used for charity are hand crafted by the devil, I'll never understand.

The government didnt decide anything. It is a democracy. We voted on it and it didnt pass. More people thought there shouldnt be a lottery than thought there should. Thats how things work.

And I would like someone to explain to me how any kind scholarship of this type can help a person in this type of situation. A "hope sholarship" doesnt help people who want to go out of state. I'm assuming that if she needed the money bad enough she would be able to get some government scholarships, loans, grants, or scholarships based on need. So im assuming that a person in this situation would have enough money to pay for in state tuition since its not that expensive. And if there was a "hope scholarship" it wouldnt be available to go out of state. So basically if you want to go to go out of state you just have to suck it up and have the money and pay it. If you go in state, the fees are far from impossible.

And do you guys actually believe that crap about UGA being the "Harvard of the South"? that phrase is so overused.

[Ranger12 46]

For those that want to bash churches and claim those that voted against it only did so because their preachers told them too...Get a life! I voted against it and I will do so again, because of my beliefs. You want to bash me for it, then go right ahead. But don't get all stupid and try to blame a "church-goers" for why the lottery vote failed when there were plenty of un-churched people that voted against it also. It was voted on, that is called democracy and to make such generalized statements like a certain group of people was the cause of it being defeated is ignorant.

Before you start bashing people for voting against it, how about doing a little more research on the actual states that have a lottery and see how it really has "improved" the education for the lower classes and also for the poorer schools systems. I think you will be shocked on how the money seems to always get funneled to the well do to systems and the usually crappy systems are still left out in the dark.

Link

Link

Link

link

Link

There are more links then that, but that should keep the debate going. Also, if you do a search for "education lotteries" you will find that most sites that try to paint a lottery in a good light are also sites mostly affiliated with the states. Not many third party sites out there that has research that supports the claim that state lotteries make. But, what do I know? I just listen to my preacher and don't research it myself.

Also, this is getting moved to the Political Forum so it can be debated further if need be.

[AFTiger 282]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

Much of the negative vote was because the administration of the proposed lottery favored Siegleman's friends and eventually Siegleman. He took his lottery and corrupted it. Many who wanted a lottery couldn't vote for that one.

I know one wag who opines that the lottery will be the only way the poor will pay taxes. Personally, I don't think government should be in the business of promoting gambling or selling liquor.

[rexbo 104]

Folks, I just learned that a girl who works in our office has chosen UGA over my beloved AUburn.

Girl who works in your office? That is no dilemma, what about me with my 2 high school daughters and them easily earning Florida Bright Futures scholarships? My oldest really wants to go to Auburn but without a scholarship there is just no way I can afford out-of-state tuition. I think it is too late for my youngest, my parents have already brainwashed for for UF, they take her to 2 or 3 games a year; including UF vs AU this year. My daughter was really in a quandry at that game trying to figure out who to cheer for...

[otterinbham 0]

I love the great state of Alabama. I would not want to live anywhere else, but sometimes I question the unwashed masses.

It wasn't so long ago that the people of this fair land elected a governor named Don Siegelman. Ole Dandy Don only had one real platform during his campaign: establishing a lottery to fund education. Only a short while after putting him in office, many of these same people who voted for him in the gubernatorial election went to the polls and voted again. This time they voted to oppose a state lottery.

Although I am not a member of any political party, I was pretty well shocked. That was a real head scratcher for me.

BTW: I only got 2 numbers this Tuesday on the Mega-Millions. It's up over $100 million again. If I win, I'll chip in on the proceeds for this young lady. Provided she cheers for Alabama football while attending Auburn University. Seems only fair.

A major point you overlooked. They didn't vote FOR Don Siegelman. They voted AGAINST Fob James, who has to be the biggest idiot ever to sit in the Governor's office (A major accomplishment if you think about it).

[Ranger12 46]

Much of the negative vote was because the administration of the proposed lottery favored Siegleman's friends and eventually Siegleman. He took his lottery and corrupted it. Many who wanted a lottery couldn't vote for that one.

I know one wag who opines that the lottery will be the only way the poor will pay taxes. Personally, I don't think government should be in the business of promoting gambling or selling liquor.

Exactly! I had knew people that voted for Siegleman because they are democrats and always vote the party line, but voted against the lottery. Their reasons were basically the same as your two points...government should not be tied in with gambling regardless if its legality in that particular state, and they could not trust the politicians in Montgomery to run it the way they promised, which, by the way, is the complaint in many states that now have the lottery.

Riley has did something that lottery supporters said could not be done, he produced a huge budget surplus without it. Sure, he had to introduce some new taxes, but they were smart taxes and I do not know anybody that has been put in the poor house by the taxes he introduced. Heck, the state of Alabama is still has one of the lowest property taxes in the country, so we can't complain too much about taxes and cost of living in this state. He also cut some taxes and brought in a ton of new jobs to the state in that same time period. Now, we just have to make sure the crooks in Montgomery spend that surplus wisely, which is hard to do in this state.

Riley proved the state can make money with smart budgeting and appropriate taxation. If you ask me, a lottery is a way for the lazy politicians in a state's capital to get out of doing their jobs!

[otterinbham 0]

Much of the negative vote was because the administration of the proposed lottery favored Siegleman's friends and eventually Siegleman. He took his lottery and corrupted it. Many who wanted a lottery couldn't vote for that one.

I know one wag who opines that the lottery will be the only way the poor will pay taxes. Personally, I don't think government should be in the business of promoting gambling or selling liquor.

Exactly! I had knew people that voted for Siegleman because they are democrats and always vote the party line, but voted against the lottery. Their reasons were basically the same as your two points...government should not be tied in with gambling regardless if its legality in that particular state, and they could not trust the politicians in Montgomery to run it the way they promised, which, by the way, is the complaint in many states that now have the lottery.

Riley has did something that lottery supporters said could not be done, he produced a huge budget surplus without it. Sure, he had to introduce some new taxes, but they were smart taxes and I do not know anybody that has been put in the poor house by the taxes he introduced. Heck, the state of Alabama is still has one of the lowest property taxes in the country, so we can't complain too much about taxes and cost of living in this state. He also cut some taxes and brought in a ton of new jobs to the state in that same time period. Now, we just have to make sure the crooks in Montgomery spend that surplus wisely, which is hard to do in this state.

Riley proved the state can make money with smart budgeting and appropriate taxation. If you ask me, a lottery is a way for the lazy politicians in a state's capital to get out of doing their jobs!

Agreed that Riley is a genius. But I still think a well-regulated lottery is a good idea. And I've yet to hear a good reason why the government has a right to regulate gambling in this state. Now, I have made exactly one trip to Vegas on businesss (won $3 in a video poker machine while cooling my heels for a trade show event), have a friendly, low-stakes poker game with the boys every three months or so, and have been to the dog track once in my life.

Yet, I cannot imagine, for the life of me, how my gambling is the business of government. If you're for freedom, that means you're for personal freedom. And if some idiot blows his paycheck, then that's his business, not mine or yours.

[AFTiger 282]

Gambling in the United States

"Gambling is inevitable. No matter what is said or done by advocates or opponents of gambling in all its various forms, it is an activity that is practiced, or tacitly endorsed, by a substantial majority of Americans."

-- Commission on the Review of National Policy toward Gambling, 1976, p.1.

In 1973, the Commission on the Review of National Policy toward Gambling was created to study gambling in the United States. The Commission began its report with the above statement and it is appropriate for this report. While the statement is merely the opinion of the Commission and cannot be easily proven, it is easy to understand how they formed their opinion. If you read the history section of this report, you will see that the popularity of legal gambling has waxed and waned, but has never disappeared. Illegal gambling, although we are ignorant about the full extent of it, has shown remarkable endurance. One industry observer noted, "There is a public demand to gamble, but there is no public demand for legalized gambling."1 The acceptance of gambling today can be seen by the substantial numbers of players of the various state lotteries and similar illegal games.

More than you ever wanted to know

[otterinbham 0]

It boils down to this. Is it the government's cotton picking business?

[Tiger in Spain 0]

It boils down to this. Is it the government's cotton picking business?

No, it's not. Unfortunately, we have a very vocal minority in this country that believes it is the government's responsibility to ensure its citizenry doesn't shoot itself in the foot. If I want to buy 10 lottery tickets each week, that's my business and no one elses. It's called personal responsibility. Same argument can be made about school vouchers. The biggest argument opponents of the voucher program have is "If people are given the money and option to chose what school their kid attends, they will not spend the money on their child's education but rather spend it all on Boones Farm, lottery tickets, and cigarettes." Government shouldn't be dictating how a person spends their money.

Back to the lottery vote for a moment. I know for a fact the churches back in Pell City organized opposition to the lottery referendum and went so far as to offer rides to the polls to vote against it. The thing I find hypocritical about this is this same group of people get together every other month to organize "fellowship trips" over to Tunica and Philadelphia for a weekend of fun with the Indians. Go there sometime and count the number of church vans and busses parked in the parking lot. I guess salvation ends at the state line for some people.