Hiding an outrageous lie - in plain sight: Several years ago, a scholarship lottery was started in my State. This was to raise funds for scholarships and was sold as a way to get more...

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Several years ago, a scholarship lottery was started in my State. This was to raise funds for scholarships and was sold as a way to get more citizens into college. Sounds great don't it? Well, it was true - a little bit - but was mostly a lie. Kids can get a scholarship for $2500 a year - out of an average of $450,000,000 in lottery ticket sales. Here's how it breaks down; scholarships - 40 million, overhead - 30 million, prize payouts - 15 million, so...........where did the remaining 365 million go?

It turns out, that money goes to a State next door. What!? Yep, my State has a contract with a company in that other State to run our lottery, who get to keep the bulk of the profit. BTW, that "overhead"? Some of that money goes to pay the salaries of the folks who manage the lottery here, but the rest goes to - the same company mentioned above. Our former LT Governor, a Democrat, fronted this lottery business, selling it as way to pay for our kids education and make money for the State, the same guy who got a 20 million dollar bonus the day he left office - from the very same company mentioned previously. What!? Yep, it's true.

One would think that the new Republican legislature ( new, after the lottery thing ), an ultra conservative bunch, would have launched an immediate investigation into this shameful lottery business - but they didn't. Why not you ask? Well, it's a cash cow that just keeps on giving. You see, the State gets to keep 25% of the gross proceeds of ticket sales. That's 112 million dollars or so and is separate from the scholarship money. Now, remember, only 40 million goes towards scholarships and that 112 million does not. Why wouldn't these, oh so ethical people, use those ill gotten gains, to give the kids a little more than $2500 a year? It seems that the 112 million goes into a slush fund - for legislators pet projects.

That's a bonanza! It allows these lawmakers to pay back their financial backers, without having to explain themselves - and prime the pumps for the next election cycle. It's no wonder the new legislature wasn't interested in airing the sins of the last, because their own hands are deep into that same cookie jar. BTW, the citizens of my State don't derive any benefit from the massive lottery proceeds either, as the company is considered tax exempt - in both States. The students only benefit minimally, the citizens not at all, but the lawmakers make out like bandits, many of which now own shares of the very same lottery company previously mentioned.

As I've stated many times, what politicians tell us is probably true, just a little bit, it's the REST of the story, the part they're NOT telling us, that will come to bite us in the butt. I have learned not to take anything at face value, but to look deeper, in order to find the REAL reason for the bill, or whatever - because there always is one. As another example of this, last election cycle a bill was on the ballot. The first paragraph explained that the bill was to reform the ethics of the legislature. Sounds wonderful right? By the 3rd paragraph on the 2nd page, the real purpose of the bill became apparent; it eliminated constitutional term limits for lawmakers, eliminated the limit on "gifts" ( read - bribes ), doubled the per diem, mileage reimbursement and tripled the expense account of every lawmaker. Few people could stay awake and focused through 1 and a half pages of legalese, that said basically nothing, to get to the real part of the bill. This weren't no coikydink either.

Whatever you think you see, look again, I bet you missed something.

bilordinary Loc: SW Washington

lpnmajor wrote:

Several years ago, a scholarship lottery was started in my State. This was to raise funds for scholarships and was sold as a way to get more citizens into college. Sounds great don't it? Well, it was true - a little bit - but was mostly a lie. Kids can get a scholarship for $2500 a year - out of an average of $450,000,000 in lottery ticket sales. Here's how it breaks down; scholarships - 40 million, overhead - 30 million, prize payouts - 15 million, so...........where did the remaining 365 million go?

It turns out, that money goes to a State next door. What!? Yep, my State has a contract with a company in that other State to run our lottery, who get to keep the bulk of the profit. BTW, that "overhead"? Some of that money goes to pay the salaries of the folks who manage the lottery here, but the rest goes to - the same company mentioned above. Our former LT Governor, a Democrat, fronted this lottery business, selling it as way to pay for our kids education and make money for the State, the same guy who got a 20 million dollar bonus the day he left office - from the very same company mentioned previously. What!? Yep, it's true.

One would think that the new Republican legislature ( new, after the lottery thing ), an ultra conservative bunch, would have launched an immediate investigation into this shameful lottery business - but they didn't. Why not you ask? Well, it's a cash cow that just keeps on giving. You see, the State gets to keep 25% of the gross proceeds of ticket sales. That's 112 million dollars or so and is separate from the scholarship money. Now, remember, only 40 million goes towards scholarships and that 112 million does not. Why wouldn't these, oh so ethical people, use those ill gotten gains, to give the kids a little more than $2500 a year? It seems that the 112 million goes into a slush fund - for legislators pet projects.

That's a bonanza! It allows these lawmakers to pay back their financial backers, without having to explain themselves - and prime the pumps for the next election cycle. It's no wonder the new legislature wasn't interested in airing the sins of the last, because their own hands are deep into that same cookie jar. BTW, the citizens of my State don't derive any benefit from the massive lottery proceeds either, as the company is considered tax exempt - in both States. The students only benefit minimally, the citizens not at all, but the lawmakers make out like bandits, many of which now own shares of the very same lottery company previously mentioned.

As I've stated many times, what politicians tell us is probably true, just a little bit, it's the REST of the story, the part they're NOT telling us, that will come to bite us in the butt. I have learned not to take anything at face value, but to look deeper, in order to find the REAL reason for the bill, or whatever - because there always is one. As another example of this, last election cycle a bill was on the ballot. The first paragraph explained that the bill was to reform the ethics of the legislature. Sounds wonderful right? By the 3rd paragraph on the 2nd page, the real purpose of the bill became apparent; it eliminated constitutional term limits for lawmakers, eliminated the limit on "gifts" ( read - bribes ), doubled the per diem, mileage reimbursement and tripled the expense account of every lawmaker. Few people could stay awake and focused through 1 and a half pages of legalese, that said basically nothing, to get to the real part of the bill. This weren't no coikydink either.

Whatever you think you see, look again, I bet you missed something.

Several years ago, a scholarship lottery was start... (show quote)

Gives even more validity to the saying; Gambling is a tax on stupidity!

Good work on your part, seeing the under belly of our system.
At the bottom are little criminals, at the top are the big ones.
Our system is infected with greed and lust for power, the dollar has become their god.
They guide (rule) us by preying on our emotions, we get a constant bombardment of fear, hatred and greed.
We've gotten ourselves into a deep hole, we need to stop digging, and start crawling out! It won't be easy.
Thanks for the good post.

EL Loc: Massachusetts

Instead of taxes, we should always find out exactly how much money each politician has when they go into office and then when they leave. Bet they wouldn't want us to find out what that is. They are SO crooked. Wonder what Obama is worth now.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

EL wrote:

Instead of taxes, we should always find out exactly how much money each politician has when they go into office and then when they leave. Bet they wouldn't want us to find out what that is. They are SO crooked. Wonder what Obama is worth now.

Oh, he's probably broke - just like Hillary and Bill when she left office.

What we really need, is a Constitutional amendment requiring every lawmaker to produce his/her tax returns, both when running for office - and every year after being elected. Of course, lawyers are taught numerous ways to hide money from the IRS, but it would make them work harder hiding it. The Lord knows they've got plenty of time on their hands to get it done, since they only show up for work 90 days out of the year and do squat even then.

bilordinary Loc: SW Washington

EL wrote:

Instead of taxes, we should always find out exactly how much money each politician has when they go into office and then when they leave. Bet they wouldn't want us to find out what that is. They are SO crooked. Wonder what Obama is worth now.

Worthless in my opinion!

Floyd Brown Loc: Milwaukee WI

lpnmajor wrote:

Several years ago, a scholarship lottery was started in my State. This was to raise funds for scholarships and was sold as a way to get more citizens into college. Sounds great don't it? Well, it was true - a little bit - but was mostly a lie. Kids can get a scholarship for $2500 a year - out of an average of $450,000,000 in lottery ticket sales. Here's how it breaks down; scholarships - 40 million, overhead - 30 million, prize payouts - 15 million, so...........where did the remaining 365 million go?

It turns out, that money goes to a State next door. What!? Yep, my State has a contract with a company in that other State to run our lottery, who get to keep the bulk of the profit. BTW, that "overhead"? Some of that money goes to pay the salaries of the folks who manage the lottery here, but the rest goes to - the same company mentioned above. Our former LT Governor, a Democrat, fronted this lottery business, selling it as way to pay for our kids education and make money for the State, the same guy who got a 20 million dollar bonus the day he left office - from the very same company mentioned previously. What!? Yep, it's true.

One would think that the new Republican legislature ( new, after the lottery thing ), an ultra conservative bunch, would have launched an immediate investigation into this shameful lottery business - but they didn't. Why not you ask? Well, it's a cash cow that just keeps on giving. You see, the State gets to keep 25% of the gross proceeds of ticket sales. That's 112 million dollars or so and is separate from the scholarship money. Now, remember, only 40 million goes towards scholarships and that 112 million does not. Why wouldn't these, oh so ethical people, use those ill gotten gains, to give the kids a little more than $2500 a year? It seems that the 112 million goes into a slush fund - for legislators pet projects.

That's a bonanza! It allows these lawmakers to pay back their financial backers, without having to explain themselves - and prime the pumps for the next election cycle. It's no wonder the new legislature wasn't interested in airing the sins of the last, because their own hands are deep into that same cookie jar. BTW, the citizens of my State don't derive any benefit from the massive lottery proceeds either, as the company is considered tax exempt - in both States. The students only benefit minimally, the citizens not at all, but the lawmakers make out like bandits, many of which now own shares of the very same lottery company previously mentioned.

As I've stated many times, what politicians tell us is probably true, just a little bit, it's the REST of the story, the part they're NOT telling us, that will come to bite us in the butt. I have learned not to take anything at face value, but to look deeper, in order to find the REAL reason for the bill, or whatever - because there always is one. As another example of this, last election cycle a bill was on the ballot. The first paragraph explained that the bill was to reform the ethics of the legislature. Sounds wonderful right? By the 3rd paragraph on the 2nd page, the real purpose of the bill became apparent; it eliminated constitutional term limits for lawmakers, eliminated the limit on "gifts" ( read - bribes ), doubled the per diem, mileage reimbursement and tripled the expense account of every lawmaker. Few people could stay awake and focused through 1 and a half pages of legalese, that said basically nothing, to get to the real part of the bill. This weren't no coikydink either.

Whatever you think you see, look again, I bet you missed something.

Several years ago, a scholarship lottery was start... (show quote)

We see what is some thing as being sold as good for the masses but really a ploy for the few. Still we see so many failing to see just where the problems stem from.

Why are we of the masses so divided in our outlook of the issues.
Just who are the sheep in all of this. Blindly supporting those leading Us to the slaughter house.

okie don

EL wrote:

Instead of taxes, we should always find out exactly how much money each politician has when they go into office and then when they leave. Bet they wouldn't want us to find out what that is. They are SO crooked. Wonder what Obama is worth now.

Last stats I read EL there were 82 Millionaires' in DC.
Our 'public servants ' go there and come out Millionaires'.
Nice work if you can get it...(:

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

okie don wrote:

Last stats I read EL there were 82 Millionaires' in DC.
Our 'public servants ' go there and come out Millionaires'.
Nice work if you can get it...(:

That's why my plan to end poverty is to send all poor people to DC for a year to "serve".

badbobby Loc: texas

lpnmajor wrote:

Several years ago, a scholarship lottery was started in my State. This was to raise funds for scholarships and was sold as a way to get more citizens into college. Sounds great don't it? Well, it was true - a little bit - but was mostly a lie. Kids can get a scholarship for $2500 a year - out of an average of $450,000,000 in lottery ticket sales. Here's how it breaks down; scholarships - 40 million, overhead - 30 million, prize payouts - 15 million, so...........where did the remaining 365 million go?

It turns out, that money goes to a State next door. What!? Yep, my State has a contract with a company in that other State to run our lottery, who get to keep the bulk of the profit. BTW, that "overhead"? Some of that money goes to pay the salaries of the folks who manage the lottery here, but the rest goes to - the same company mentioned above. Our former LT Governor, a Democrat, fronted this lottery business, selling it as way to pay for our kids education and make money for the State, the same guy who got a 20 million dollar bonus the day he left office - from the very same company mentioned previously. What!? Yep, it's true.

One would think that the new Republican legislature ( new, after the lottery thing ), an ultra conservative bunch, would have launched an immediate investigation into this shameful lottery business - but they didn't. Why not you ask? Well, it's a cash cow that just keeps on giving. You see, the State gets to keep 25% of the gross proceeds of ticket sales. That's 112 million dollars or so and is separate from the scholarship money. Now, remember, only 40 million goes towards scholarships and that 112 million does not. Why wouldn't these, oh so ethical people, use those ill gotten gains, to give the kids a little more than $2500 a year? It seems that the 112 million goes into a slush fund - for legislators pet projects.

That's a bonanza! It allows these lawmakers to pay back their financial backers, without having to explain themselves - and prime the pumps for the next election cycle. It's no wonder the new legislature wasn't interested in airing the sins of the last, because their own hands are deep into that same cookie jar. BTW, the citizens of my State don't derive any benefit from the massive lottery proceeds either, as the company is considered tax exempt - in both States. The students only benefit minimally, the citizens not at all, but the lawmakers make out like bandits, many of which now own shares of the very same lottery company previously mentioned.

As I've stated many times, what politicians tell us is probably true, just a little bit, it's the REST of the story, the part they're NOT telling us, that will come to bite us in the butt. I have learned not to take anything at face value, but to look deeper, in order to find the REAL reason for the bill, or whatever - because there always is one. As another example of this, last election cycle a bill was on the ballot. The first paragraph explained that the bill was to reform the ethics of the legislature. Sounds wonderful right? By the 3rd paragraph on the 2nd page, the real purpose of the bill became apparent; it eliminated constitutional term limits for lawmakers, eliminated the limit on "gifts" ( read - bribes ), doubled the per diem, mileage reimbursement and tripled the expense account of every lawmaker. Few people could stay awake and focused through 1 and a half pages of legalese, that said basically nothing, to get to the real part of the bill. This weren't no coikydink either.

Whatever you think you see, look again, I bet you missed something.

Several years ago, a scholarship lottery was start... (show quote)

Excellent post Maj
pols have three agendas
I include both reps and dems

#1---elect me

#2---fill my pockets

#3--reelect me

Floyd Brown Loc: Milwaukee WI

lpnmajor wrote:

That's why my plan to end poverty is to send all poor people to DC for a year to "serve".

Not being what you could say was being rich. I an only say that it must be a big burden being rich because they are always needing more to get by.
The message I get is that they are doing Us a favor by saving Us from having that burden.

Floyd Brown Loc: Milwaukee WI

badbobby wrote:

Excellent post Maj
pols have three agendas
I include both reps and dems

#1---elect me

#2---fill my pockets

#3--reelect me

#4--My pockets keep stretching so don't stop filling them.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Floyd Brown wrote:

Not being what you could say was being rich. I an only say that it must be a big burden being rich because they are always needing more to get by.
The message I get is that they are doing Us a favor by saving Us from having that burden.

Where do you think the money comes from that makes the rich richer? They don't prey on each other, so they must get it somewhere else. Governments, local, State and Federal, get 42% - 57% of our money, by our, I mean us less than rich folk. The rich hire accountants and tax lawyers to ensure that they don't pay local, State or Federal taxes, or very little if they do, by incorporating this, tax sheltering that, depreciating everything and other tricks. We mortal folk can't afford any of that, so we pay the full share.

What little taxes corporations, small businesses and the rich DO pay, is passed on to - us, through the prices we pay for everything. So, we pay our full share of all taxes AND pay whatever share the rich pay, out of our own pockets. The reality is, the poor and Middle Class pay ALL the taxes, one way or the other - and the Government still borrows more every month. Do we get any of that money? Nope - but the rich do and plenty of it.

The poor pay up to 57% of their income in taxes, of the remaining 47%, 12% of that is paying someone else's taxes and 20% is paying someone's profit, making THEM richer, meaning that we get only 11% value for our hard earned money. We pay most of our income to Government, most of the rest to the rich, the Government takes our money, borrows more - and gives that to the rich as well.

That, my friend, is how the rich get richer.

What's not to like?

Floyd Brown Loc: Milwaukee WI

lpnmajor wrote:

Where do you think the money comes from that makes... (show quote)

Little by little we make inroads in to their Master Plan

First we have to be much smarter in how we handle our money.

It hurts them most & they listen better when the money don't flow to them as fast or as much as they wish.

The masses will always have to pay for the most that gets done. If they want Us to pay more we need to get more.

If we fail it is only a short while be for they fail. Then they will have all of much less. Or join us in life as it really is.

boatbob2

Oh my goodness,Im shocked that politicians would do something like taking the excess money,for their pet projects.

Docadhoc Loc: Elsewhere

EL wrote:

Instead of taxes, we should always find out exactly how much money each politician has when they go into office and then when they leave. Bet they wouldn't want us to find out what that is. They are SO crooked. Wonder what Obama is worth now.

The net says $7 million so probably $70 mil or so. Even at just 7 that is a 438% increase in admitted wealth since 2007.

Minus of course green fees. Oh wait. We pay those too don't we?