The North Carolina lottery, the state-run monopoly on gambling, the only gambling permitted in the state, is apparently running about $50 million short. It was supposed to "raise" $400 million "for schools," but they're about $50 or $60 million short. But that's okay, because all the lottery officials are "not disappointed in anything." They're all happy. I think they're mostly happy because they haven't been charged with federal crimes, like the first lottery commissioner.

The story also highlights a few people who spend between $15 and $25 each week on the lottery -- all of them dreaming of winning the jackpot -- and all of them working in unskilled, low-pay jobs. So the lottery is a success, according to government: it takes money from the poor and gives it to schools. It hasn't generated as much money as it was supposed to. And people actually believe the money is going to the schools, even when it's not. A complete and total government success story.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:01 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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