by Lucinda Davis

Created on: April 12, 2009

Apparently some politician in Tennessee thinks it's a good idea to only allow welfare recipients $600 even if they were to be fortunate enough to win a million dollars. The thought behind the proposed bill is that if the person is poor enough to receive food stamps or government assistance that they should not be gambling on the lottery. One problem with this way of thinking is where do you draw the line?

What about the people who receive a lottery ticket from a friend or relative as a gift? I know I've given many lottery tickets as Christmas presents and have also received lottery tickets as presents. Wouldn't you want someone who is poor to win? Then the government wouldn't have to continue to support them. If on the other hand the government takes all of the winnings except for $600 then that leaves the poor soul trapped in the welfare system. The entire idea, to me, just seems cruel.

Many poor people play the lottery occassionally in the hopes of getting off welfare and becoming something better. It's a dream for many that will never come true, but why kill someone's dream? Maybe that's the only thing keeping them going.

I highly doubt the majority of people receiving some kind of assistance are out blowing half their check on lottery tickets. Obviously this politician seems to think that people receiving assistance are just out gambling and drinking off the American taxpayer's dollar. It's more likely they spend a dollar when they feel lucky or when the jackpot is big.

I've heard too many people say "people on welfare are out spending their money on booze and drugs". I really don't believe that's the common case. If someone really is abusing the system and you know they are then you should turn them in and quit complaining. I personally don't know of anyone that is on assistance that doesn't truly need the help.

As for people abusing the system, those kinds of people always find a loophole anyhow. So what would keep them from having a relative or friend claim the ticket and split the money with them? Then would the government penalize anyone who associated with people who received assistance? What if some do gooder split a ticket with someone like that and then was penalized for it?

What if this person who receives food stamps is working a job? What if the office goes in on a lottery pool? What if everyone contributes but you and they want to know why? Do you come off as the office grump that doesn't want to spend a dollar? Do you tell them the truth which is

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