My guess is that if "makeitwork" really is a millionaire, he was one of those extremely rare and lucky individuals who did win a lottery.
IMO, lotteries are about the worst form of social/economic policy around, because (1) they take money mostly from lower income people and then (2) transfer it in a way that gives a very few people much more than they need for happiness, or that they can handle wisely to their benefit and that of the overall economy. A third item is that they are somewhat fraudulent, in that the advertised jackpots are paid over decades with no interest.
At least there should be a reasonable cap on the amount paid to any one winner, such as $3 million that would allow them to retire comfortably if they chose. I know that studies have been done that show that purchases of lottery tickets are encouraged by extremely large jackpots, but, hey, these lotteries are government enterprises that are supposed to be socially beneficial. Capping the jackpots would allow a lot more people to be winners.
I periodically have the opportunity to vote on lotteries and gambling legalization issues and almost always abstain. The economist in me recognizes that they are basically a tax on poor fools, but the libertarian in me says that adults should have the right to spend their money as they wish.
IMO, lotteries are about the worst form of social/economic policy around, because (1) they take money mostly from lower income people and then (2) transfer it in a way that gives a very few people much more than they need for happiness, or that they can handle wisely to their benefit and that of the overall economy. A third item is that they are somewhat fraudulent, in that the advertised jackpots are paid over decades with no interest.
At least there should be a reasonable cap on the amount paid to any one winner, such as $3 million that would allow them to retire comfortably if they chose. I know that studies have been done that show that purchases of lottery tickets are encouraged by extremely large jackpots, but, hey, these lotteries are government enterprises that are supposed to be socially beneficial. Capping the jackpots would allow a lot more people to be winners.
I periodically have the opportunity to vote on lotteries and gambling legalization issues and almost always abstain. The economist in me recognizes that they are basically a tax on poor fools, but the libertarian in me says that adults should have the right to spend their money as they wish.
