Chris Turner Announces that Lottery Ticket Rakes in $1 million for Texas Veterans

Debbie Downer (0.00 / 0)

I am for glad to see Democrats helping veterans, but is this the way to do it?

I understand Texas politics prevents us from even raising the gas tax so we are making the best of a bad situation.  But the well-healed do not buy lotto tickets.  For all we know veterans could be buying these veteran lotto tickets.  

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by: Aero @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 21:47:44 PM UTC

You answered your own question (0.00 / 0)

If we aren't willing to raise taxes to pay for things in this state then you must raise the money in some other capacity.  That means you find an alternative means to generate the revenue. I applaud Rep. Turner for doing exactly that. Problems such as funding projects and initiatives continue to mount on top of each other until someone actually figures out a way to fund it without the evil "tax" word being uttered.  God forbid we pay taxes to pay for important causes such as veterans care.    

Plus, it is optional.  Buy them or don't buy them.  For those who do buy lottery tickets at least they know they are giving back to a good cause by purchasing this particular lottery ticket.

I'm a bit confused as to your "but the well-healed do not buy lotto tickets."  What do you mean?

Also, rather presumptious don't you think to assume that much of the revenue raised to help veterans has come from veterans purchasing lottery tickets?  I'm sure some veterans have, but I'll go out on a limb and say that plenty of non-veterans have as well, including me.  I don't normally buy lottery tickets but I gladly purchased a couple of these because I knew it was going to a special cause and not because I had a chance to win money.      

Todd  

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Todd Hill @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 22:47:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

he means (0.00 / 0)

that low income people buy lottery tickets.  People with money tend to not want to buy a scratch off.  Take a look at a map with the locations of stores that sells the most lottery tickets, and you'll be looking at the most low income areas of our state.  

His point about the veterans was that, because our government often turns a blind eye to our veterans, they can sometimes fall through the cracks and end up with very little income, wagering the few dollars they have on a lottery ticket.

Be that as it may, the failed Republican leadership in our state is intent on neglecting it's duties to it citizens.  I applaud Rep. Turner for the ingenuity and political acumen it took to come up with such an idea and actually get it passed into law.

The fact that he did it as a freshmen is even more astounding, and his constituents should be happy to see that they've got such an effective legislator.

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by: Joe @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 23:00:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ok (0.00 / 0)

And the people with money tend to demand not to be taxed.  Sigh. Our vicious circle begins.

I don't argue with the points, because I do believe they are valid.  A disproportionate number of low-income, even homeless Americans, are veterans. A very sad fact.  

Having said that, the second part of your statement, Joe, is what we should be concentrating on here.  

Applause for figuring out a way to address a problem.  Applause for the solution coming from a freshman legislator who represents the future of the Party.  

Todd

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Todd Hill @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 23:16:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

ditto (0.00 / 0)

And like you said, this program will do a lot to help our veterans.  I actually bought a bunch of those tickets on Veterans' Day and gave them out to my friends.  

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by: Joe @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 23:26:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

RE: We gotta help vets some how (0.00 / 0)

Chris Turner really has made vets a personal passion.  This was a great bill and it was very surprising that it was passed by freshman Turner.  Turner is a good role model for his fellow legislators.

"Be kind to dogs - and vote Democratic!" -Senator Tom Eagleton

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by: mondalejones @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 22:29:26 PM UTC