Potential Impact

The question begs to be asked: Can we actually have any meaningful impact on the state? There is no doubt in my mind that we can. Consider the following:

* If 20,000 people who would normally spend $2 per week on the lottery instead spend $1/week over the course of a year, that would keep over $1million from going to the politicians

* If 15,000 people who would normally spend $5 per week spend $2, that would keep $2.34million out of state officials' hands

* If 10,000 people who would normally spend $10 per week spend $4, that keeps $3.12million away

* If 5,000 people who normally spend $20 per week (we know you're out there!) instead spend $5, that keeps $3.9million away

All total, that is well over $10,000,000 that the politicians would have to live without. Sound like a lot of people to recruit? Not when you consider that California's population is nearing 37 million!

Of course, politicians will claim that the money is coming out of education, but indeed we will be forcing them to cut down the general fund budget to make certain education is fully funded. As stated in an earlier post, public education is too important to be funded only if and when people spend enough on the lottery. It should be a top priority, not an after thought.

Admittedly, even $10million may not seem like much when compared to the over $1.4billion profit the state pulls in from the lottery, per their website. [On a side note, check out the statistics on the site - that 34 cents on the dollar from lottery revenue goes towards schools, but 61% of that goes towards salaries NOT to the local classrooms.]

But, even going up against a beastly revenue such as that, I guarantee you that politicians will quickly notice if $10million is missing from their coffers. They will pay attention to the voters, just as they should have been doing all along.

And, of course, if that $10million goes towards canned goods for the hungry or other charitable donations, many others are bound to pay attention as well...and they are likely to follow suit.

CAN THE LOTTERY...The Plan!!

Enough is enough.

The California state government has apparently reached a compromise on a state budget, and it is not good news (details seen here). After years of excessive spending, done without responsibility or accountability, the state is mired in massive debt. The solution? Take more money from the people.

The budget promises the following:

- 2.5% - 5% across the board Income Tax increase
- 12 cents-per-gallan Gas Tax increase
- 1 cent on the dollar Sales Tax increase
- $210 reduction in the dependent tax credit

All this comes at a time when many Californians are struggling to get by on a daily basis, and when small businesses are fighting to stay alive. Our "representatives" either don't care about their constituents or simply are not listening.

We, the citizens of this state, seem to have a few choices. 1 - Refuse to pay taxes, facing additional fees and jail time. 2 - Refuse to work, keeping food off our families’ tables. 3 - Stop buying local products (to combat the sales tax), hurting local business. None of these seem particularly appealing, so here is the new plan....

CAN THE LOTTERY!

The state lottery was passed by voter initiative in 1984 to provide extra funding for schools. 25 years later, schools are still failing across the state, and lottery revenues allow state politicians to use general fund money for pet projects, failing programs, and skyrocketing state payrolls.

Our plan is simple. If you normally buy 3 lottery tickets in a week, start buying 2, or better yet 1 (or, of course, none). With the money you are saving, buy canned goods from the local store where you would normally purchase the lottery tickets and donate them to a local food kitchen, shelter, faith based organization, or other group you are proud to support. If canned goods aren't your thing, then buy candy and donate it to organizations such as Operation Gratitude (or any of their other needed items, listed at their website here).

If you are looking to save money, then apply those dollars to volunteer work. Buying 1 lotto ticket instead of 3? Then perform 2 volunteer acts, even simple "acts of random kindness".

PLEASE NOTE: This is not about a moral objection to the lottery. This stems from the outrage so many taxpayers have towards elected officials who, after years of reckless spending, are now demanding more of our hard-earned dollars.

For those who worry that these efforts will negatively affect public education funding, I understand that concern. However, I would offer the following:

- As seen here, a small percentage of the revenue from the lottery actually goes to local schools, where the funding is so crucially needed.
- Education should be at the top of the list in terms of necessary funding. We should not have to rely on people buying a lottery ticket in order to give a child a textbook.
- This is the key...Legislators will be forced with a choice: cut education (always unpopular) or cut excessive, inefficient and ineffective government programs. Which will they choose?

As part of these efforts, we are starting a website: http://www.canthelottery.com/, which will be coming soon. In the meantime, we'll post updates, thoughts, ideas and progress on this blog. Please also post YOUR comments here, and let us know your stories at the CAN THE LOTTERY FORUM. Saved on lotto tickets to buy a canned good? Let us know. Let your friends and neighbors know. Of vital importance, let your representatives know.

CAN THE LOTTERY! Feed the hungry, not the beast!!