Just a short post this time -- but I wanted to share something with all of you.
The other night I was in my son's class at church (I volunteer there once a week) and the youth pastor was giving an example in his sermon when he mentioned the lottery. Then he said that he never played the lottery and gave this as the reason:
The lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math.
I thought it was a cute saying and oh so true. Just thought you might think so too. ;-)
And, there are a lot of people that are bad at math and finances, due to our educational system!
Posted by: segfault | May 12, 2007 at 11:27 AM
He must be bad at math. If he was good at math, he would play, but only when the prize was worth it.
Posted by: Lord | May 12, 2007 at 04:02 PM
I agree, the lottery is almost mathematically impossible to win. Also it displays a lack of trust in the Lord to provide, but at the same time...
You can't win if you don't play.
Posted by: Dy Phan | May 12, 2007 at 05:59 PM
My father always said in a not-as-nice way: It's a tax for stupid people...
Or maybe it's a tax for the eternally hopefully.
Posted by: Mama Money | May 12, 2007 at 07:30 PM
Oops--meant to say "eternally hopeful."
Posted by: Mama Money | May 12, 2007 at 07:31 PM
I have friends who would never play the lottery in a gazillion years. In their fifties now. Her dad, though, has played forever. Always told his three kids that when (not if) he hit it big, he'd split it evenly four ways--his share, and a share for each grown kid. Now my friends have $8 million! So, sometimes, you DON'T have to enter to win! I steer clear of the lottery, but would have no problem accepting winnings from someone else! :)
Posted by: Katy Raymond | May 13, 2007 at 08:51 AM
Another cute lottery saying:
I win a dollar in the lottery every week. I don't play.
Posted by: oblomov | May 14, 2007 at 10:20 AM
I've heard the 'bad at math tax' and the 'tax on stupid people.' I think they are both funny... I also like oblomov's quote. :)
But anyone who plays poker knows about pot odds - basically the money in the pot and the odds of winning make the bet worth it.
So if the odds of winning the lottery are 1 in 175,000,000, and the jackpot is over $175 million, is that $1 ticket really that bad a bet?
I don't recommend investing your paycheck on the lottery, but a $1 once in a while can be fun. :)
Posted by: Patrick | May 14, 2007 at 12:42 PM
i would like to interdouce a new lottery system, put in once 100.00, take all the money collected, lets say the gov. gets 6% on the money, raffle out 3% and keep 3%, and i could always take out my initial deposit.
Posted by: jacob | May 15, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Lottery may be a tax on those who aren't good at math, but considering the possible return on investment one would be stupid not to play.
Posted by: Robert | November 27, 2007 at 01:56 AM
Lottery is realy lucky if God look any way, but god can win his personally as he/she offer and win the person. i think it wiould very great if people can try also and try do that play for win.
Thanks Shumon
Posted by: Mohammad Shumon | December 17, 2007 at 10:02 PM