Against the Odds, and Against the Common Good Essay

In her essay, Against the Odds, and Against the Common Good, Gloria Jimenez evaluates the debate for suppose-run lotteries and surmises that arouse representatives, having citizens welfargon in mind, should non somersault bills urging them to gamble. In todays society, maintain-run lotteries are jet establishments considering the majority of our province has superstar. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia all(a) have lotteries sporty(a)ified as inevitable state funds beneficial to the common good. But with state lotteries no one wins non schools, not the judicature and not the American public. (1) The drawing system does not contribute notable funds to the state or schools (2) it is a regressive melodic line of taxation (3) it creates limited jobs (4) it is harmful to American values and society (5)but they claim to be fair and honest. Overall, lotteries are neither unimaginative nor fair, and they are harmful to the common good. First, permit me point out that lotteries do not achieve their first goal of contribute notable funds to the state or schools. The roughly valid defense for lotteries is that they pass on increaseEducational funding, when, in fact, contributes precise little. In her research, Jimenez briefly explains her findings and deducts the lotteries have been nonrecreational out roughly 4 pct to the businesses while taking in nigh $20 billion in 2002. ( unexampled York Times, may 18, 2003, sec. 4, p. 1). If states raised income tax by a fraction of a percent, they could generate just as much revenue as state lotteries. That is how insignificant they are. As sound as being an ineffective property raising scheme, the lottery is also a regressive form of taxation. The attraction of the lottery is to strike it rich instantaneously and never have to work again.The message is most evident to the poor, undereducated, and compulsive gamblers. As a result, these citizens participate in the lottery spending an average o f three times as much of their income on lottery tickets than the sloshed would. This is, in effect, due to false and deceptive advertising aimed specifically at this market. Furthermore, the besides new jobs that are created unless, by find oneself a new casino goes in, are the vacancies for advertising executives and accounting clerks. The positions for clerks that actually transfer the tickets do not need filling because they are previously filled at convenience and grocery stores.In addition, state run lotteries are unwholesome and mordacious for the common good. They send out a message that opposes the ethics of hard work, sacrifice, and unityeverything Americans believe in. The lottery is deceptive and encourages slew to believe that they depart win something for nothing. Still, government allows lotteries and actually promotes them, encouraging citizens to participate.One of the superior problems associated with the lottery is that it can lead to addiction. So alth ough people are buying the tickets of their give free will and free will to participate is one of the pros of the lottery. Exactly how much free will really is there when all of the employment is being done by the ad executives targeting prime citizens, the government strong-arming the constituents into their lottery schemes, and the caper addicts cannot really help themselves? Government has no business enticing people to gamble their hard earned money for an against the betting odds chance of winning a king-size cash prize. It is irresponsible, immoral and far from fair and honest.Works CitedJimenez, Gloria. Against the Odds, and Against the Common Good. Pg. 112-114. Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing. Barnett & Bedau. New York. Bedford/St. Martin.2008. Print