Jackson Jambalaya

That law created a lot of victims, Sid. Especially mothers not receiving child support payments.

I would not want my legacy to be that I legalized a strongly regressive tax program in which the poorest and most uneducated will participate in disproportionately higher rates because they do not understand the risk/return proposition all so that I can enrich the state general fund in order that the richest individuals and out of state corporations can be rewarded with reduced income taxes and "economic development" tax breaks.

Lottery is gambling. Period. The house always wins

Those MLC employees sure drive nice gubment cars.

If lotteries and gaming were not located next door to Mississippi 8:54 and 9:12 might have a valid point. The lines of cars headed to Louisiana for lottery tickets were long and profitable for that state, not Mississippi. Same with gaming where Mississippi did gambling right and it has worked. I don’t gamble or play lottery but happy we have them and help all Mississippi with jobs and revenue.

9;12am............"they do not understand the risk/return proposition"

well big shot, here your chance to teach them all about those risks and returns.......

have at it

do it right here on this site.

I'm waiting........anyone as smart as you, it shouldn't take em long.

All organized betting favors the House. Only private Poker games can be won with skill.

I'm guessing Sid will be one of the fat cat insiders haw-hawing at that gala event.

Lottery is just a tax on the willing.

The lottery is a tax on stupid.

There should be no surprise that it works so well!

Gotta love it (although I wince at) the holier than thou crowd that thinks they know what's best for others, believe they can foretell the gloom and doom that is about to befall the less fortunate and certainly think they are smarter than the dumb-crowd that's about to be hit by a truck if they walk into a casino or buy a ticket.

They know with certainty that babies and single mothers are going to starve because the sperm donors are camping out at casinos.

They believe without a doubt that the economically disadvantaged among us will lose every dime, quarter and five-spot at the evil machines and tables. And they know those with bank balances will use good sense and budget for wins and losses.

Most of all, they also know who is or isn't going to hell because their preacher tells them. God sent them here to protect the rest of us from ourselves.

The lottery is nothing more than a tax on the poor and uneducated, hardly something to be patted on the back for, but the races see things differently.

A voluntary tax, what suckers we are. think about the hell that would have been raised had they raised the gas tax in an equal funding amount. A gas tax that interstate commerce carriers would have join in paying, instead of MS citizens trying to get lucky. People are such fools. Happy for a lottery, pissed about tax increase....but result is same increased funds to the government for education and transportation. Damned fools we are.

Your chances of winning the lottery are almost as good if you don't buy a ticket

The argument that the lottery is a disproportionate drain on the poor has merit, but MS Clarke's position was that for better or worse the lottery was in effect, but neighboring states were getting all the money. It's kind of like prohibition which did not stop liquor sales or consumption, it just stopped the state from taxing it. It was inevitable, she just made it happen sooner. More money for Mississippi.

If the lottery is an unfair tax on the poor or uneducated, so be it. It's THEIR choice. They do so voluntarily. The state did not force them. Unfair? Mississippi has the highest grocery tax in the nation, who's choice is that? Poor or uneducated people? Unfair?

Congratulations on a fine legislative career, Miss Clark! Thank you for the $500 million and counting. And, the drug courts. That one has altered the arc of many addict's lives, and their families, for the better. Great work! Those two pieces of legislation have helped improve Mississippi's roads, education, and quality of life.

"The risk/return proposition" folks don't talk about what happens in the risk equation, and how the philosophy changes, as the amount at risk approaches zero. This is the proposition that poor folks use (Rich folks use it too. Its called "taking a flyer" or "venture"). Is it better to save your spare $5 to $20 per week or to risk it on a long shot, large pay-off. I believe when you are poor and do not have investment opportunities that would accept a $5 to $20 per week investment, the long shot bet that accepts a $20 buy-in, is reasonable. You may not, and that's fine. Don't play. It's voluntary.

There is a good reason why casinos have nickel slot machines. A large percentage of their possible customers do not have substantial amounts of money to risk. Someone can take $5 and enjoy a night out of the house and play the slots for 100 nickel spins. That alone is worth the $5. There is a chance at winning more, so they can extend their stay or go home with more than $5. That's gravy and it's a win to the customer, whether they win money, lose $5, or walkout with 5$. It's a night of entertainment for $5. You may not agree, and that's fine. Don't play. It's voluntary.

I rarely buy lottery tickets. But, when I do, the thought I could win millions of dollars, and my imaginings of how I would spend it, is worth the price of the ticket. I never think about where all of the proceeds go, except they better have my money if I win. The fact Mississippi gets a nice slice is gravy. It's a win-win. You may not agree, and that's fine. Don't play. It's voluntary.

10:54 made chuckle. Agree.

I want my legacy to be the image of a John Carradine looking character standing on the back of a buckboard, Bible in one hand and divining rod in the other - swearing 'fore God that anybody who enters that saloon is robbing his family and will go straight to the devil's hell!

As long as it ain't known, that, as a deacon, I was screwing several ladies of the church during counseling sessions.

Dearest 9:52am,

Bless your heart.

Sincerely,
9:12am

For 9:12 posting at 5:02 > Congrats. You have avoided the challenge posted by 9:52 but have succeeded at being a smart ass.

10:52

If Delbert and some of his staff had their way, it would all go to education - the “education enhancement fund” that only a few direct to proceeds. At least when it goes to roads, everyone is benefiting in the state. Everyone! More of the lottery money needs to go to roads.