$1.5B Lottery Winner in South Carolina
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The state preys on its badly educated and poor, and therefore desperate citizens, through the lottery. As we have a better chance of going to Pluto in this lifetime than winning, at best this is a cynical fleecing, at worst political avarice and greed. No matter the objection, the bottom line is the systematic taking of money that the players can ill afford to lose. Yes, the players willingly participate in a fantasy with very little likelihood of coming true, but that just underlines their vulnerability to their greed in thrall to a powerful state enterprise.
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I agree, but what I like about it is that it is voluntary. I wouldn't care much for it if we all HAD to buy tickets. It is an illusion, but for some, they seem to enjoy the rush. Me, The last time I went to a casino, I was bored out of my mind. I just don't find gambling fun at all.
My wife loves the lottery, casinos, I don’t tell her anything, but my Father had the whole parish of Vermilion LA, with slot machines in stores, gas stations, he even had a mini casino above his pool hall, the one thing that stuck with me throughout life was when he told me ( Bradley the house always wins )
Yup, the "winners" are just window dressing for the fleecing being taken by millions of other people. I don't disparage the little ray of hope people get from buying a ticket, a ticket to hope that goes nowhere. Interesting studies of winners show it is often highly disruptive of lives to win. Predatory family and friends circle in for the kill. Good friends retreat. I think a few natural money managers take it on as a full-time job, and manage their family and friends accordingly, but the emotional toll is huge. Surprise, surprise -- being wealthy isn't a full-time vacation, it's a full-time job. It's like a brain transplant. Money becomes a means of multiplying money, not a means of fulfilling your desires. Much of the property and possessions of wealth are primarily a means of keeping the predatory at bay. The rich dad who buys his daughter a Maserati is indulging his beloved daughter, but mostly he's warning off "unworthy" young men that she's way too good for them.
I have worked with, for, and among very wealthy people for most of my life, and I have never met anyone with ridiculous money that was happy. And, the happiest people that I have met, truly happy people, were the poorest people.
I've been curious about the casino, but in this time and age where you have to 'register' for everything, I've been as reluctant as I'm curious to try it out. I'm OK with telling them my age, but highly uncomfortable with giving them all my contact info just to be able to play and lose.
At one point I met someone who worked servicing casino machines and I asked him if they were, well, 'designed' for the players never to win. He didn't say they were rigged, but he said that their algorithms are so complex so as to give players the illusion they can win (although occasional winnings do happen). His statement didn't particularly increase my curiosity for the casino.
I've played lottery a few times, mostly the instant one. I've won up to $20 but no more. Meh.
At one point I met someone who worked servicing casino machines and I asked him if they were, well, 'designed' for the players never to win. He didn't say they were rigged, but he said that their algorithms are so complex so as to give players the illusion they can win (although occasional winnings do happen). His statement didn't particularly increase my curiosity for the casino.
I've played lottery a few times, mostly the instant one. I've won up to $20 but no more. Meh.
Years ago I had to work late on a job...making a little extra money on overtime. I got done with the job and stopped at a gas station for an iced tea to drink while driving back to the plant. I bought a $1 scratch off ticket and won $500. I cashed in the ticket and went home with $500 in my pocket. At the time with two kids still at home $500 was going to come in handy. I walked in the door all excited to tell my wife what a great day I had. My excitement bubble quickly burst when she told me our youngest boy hit a teacher's car in the high school parking lot. My $500 winnings was used to pay the deductible. Easy come, easy go.
I was talking about this with my wife. I actually feel sorry for whoever won that. Chances are they are wholly unprepared for what 800+ mil ($480 or so after taxes) is going to do to them. Welcome to the 'most likely to be kidnapped' demographic. People are going to throw their kids in front of their cars for lawsuits. If you travel you will have to stay at the hotels with secure floors and likely have security. How droll.
I am very happy with the life I have, I could use a bit of money to make it more comfortable, but I am not looking to upgrade my actual life.
I am very happy with the life I have, I could use a bit of money to make it more comfortable, but I am not looking to upgrade my actual life.
If I won I'd give a million apiece to a half-dozen family members, and as I put the check in their hands, I'd give them an ultimatum and a contract. No, not a list of agreements but one of those contracts, the kind that authorizes lethal force by the executor of my choice should they ever darken my door wanting more money.
Of course it wouldn't work. Family often has the most outlandish expectations of each other, and where money is concerned its no-holds-barred. But a mock execution would be fair, so frightening that they make dookey in their pants. Or have them kidnapped and stuck on a small island with a few natives whose language they don't know for, a year or so. Out of sight out of mind. When they were allowed to come back I don't think they'll be asking for money anytime soon.
And if they just won't fucking shutup, you've always got the contract.
Of course it wouldn't work. Family often has the most outlandish expectations of each other, and where money is concerned its no-holds-barred. But a mock execution would be fair, so frightening that they make dookey in their pants. Or have them kidnapped and stuck on a small island with a few natives whose language they don't know for, a year or so. Out of sight out of mind. When they were allowed to come back I don't think they'll be asking for money anytime soon.
And if they just won't fucking shutup, you've always got the contract.
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