Scubie Loc: Brunswick Georgia

I am now going to create another panic discussion since I opened pandora's box on cell phones this morning and some went balistic. Will someone please give me your opinion on this...I have seen the powerball winnings of 400 million go to one winner. This in my opinion is an absolute travesty. I suppose some would say it would be ok if they won....Heres my take, why not break this down and allow one hundred or more people to split the pot. I would say that if anyone did receive even close to that amount it could ultimately destroy their life and that has happened to a few individuals. I also believe in my opinion the lottery commission does this because they know greed will win out in more ticket sales....This utter abuse and stupidity makes me want to vomit just thinking about it and this should never be allowed. Government seems to do anything and everything they see fit to do and they get away with it because they think they are untouchables. I have written letters to the Lottery commision in Georgia and Florida and they just ignore them. Maybe some group needs to consider instigating a class action lawsuit to stop this..I would think it would be hard to even give away this amount of money. If you bought stuff with it, where would you put it. What say you? I cannot wait to read your thoughts on this.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

It wouldn't be a travesty for me to win!!!
I would do my best to support the workers of high end products and services.
Pat

Scubie Loc: Brunswick Georgia

You could possibly do that with 400 million or could you?

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I've thought of this and my view would not to allow hundreds to win, that's like our current welfare give-a-ways to those who do nothing to get it.

Just make the total allowable winning on a lottery to be 100 Million....So 400 million dollars would allow 4 winners.

Why the hell do some people think that winners in any area should share their wealth with others ?

Sarge69

Scubie Loc: Brunswick Georgia

Really think this out Sarge, it is not welfare.it is sharing the wealth.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

They absolutely have these high jackpots because the higher they are, the more tickets they sell. Also, the lotteries use advertising showing the extravagant lifestyles winners can have, which would never be allowed for non-government gambling. They also use psychologists to design their games to attract the most people. I hate to see the full power of advertising and psychology used to attract people to something that some people are addicted to.

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

Doesn't bother me at all that it all goes to one.I hope he or she helps out a lot of people.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Lets think about it.
If they take the lump sum. How much is that?
Then they have to pay taxes on that. How much is left?
So then they invest what's left and they get an average of 8% return on their money.
How much is that?
Got to pay taxes on that. 35% or more tax rate.
They draw the after tax amount out, monthly.
How much would that be?
A lot of money!!
I don't think it will be a "crazy", amount of money.....
It would still be a lot of money!!!!
Pat

dljen Loc: Central PA

What Pat said plus it's not the OP's money, none of his concern. If he can't be happy for the winner, don't comment. Move on in life, this is one of the "small stuff" you're not supposed to sweat. Forget the letters, they're silly and really none of your business. Find a hobby, oh I know...you could try photography. :D

machia Loc: NJ

I see it this way. Its fun to dream and play a game while your money goes to things designed to help people. But it seems as though the help never arrives because something happens to the money, what else could it be? Where is all this money going? Something is wrong.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

well lets see now, i'm 76 so, I would try my damndest to spend as much as I could before I kicked the bucket. i'd leave the leftover to a few special people.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You want a lawsuit served to stop them from giving people money who willingly want that money?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You're right. There was a brief TV series about people whose lives were ruined by lottery winnings. As for splitting the pot when it gets to a certain size, that's not what people want. And at what point would it be split? Just more complication.

What annoys me is that people do not win the face amount. Taking it over a long period of time will get them more, but no one knows how long they will live. The lump sum results in a smaller payout, and taxes take almost half.

Add to that the fact that lottery players are always the people who can least afford to spend their meager earnings on lottery tickets, and you have a less-than-perfect system. Getting stuck behind people buying an assortment of tickets in a convenience store is annoying, too.

My biggest complaint is how these lotteries were originally sold to the public: the money will go to education. That is simply not true. If the income from lotteries was used for education, school taxes would be a tiny fraction of what they are now.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm special. Just keep that in mind. :D

HOHIMER

I don’t think the rich play the lottery. The whole thing is supported on the backs of the poor and middle class. My idea would be to not hand out any large lump sums but, dole out the pay-offs weekly or monthly for the winner’s life time only (With no estate value). That way future lottery collections could be used to pay off current lottery obligations. Like paying interest on a loan. The BIG amounts could stay in the coffers to reduce/eliminate state income or sales taxes.