The popular culture topic that I chose to write about this week is the lottery. There are many different types of lotteries that different states offer. You can play scratch off tickets; cash explosions, keno or get into the mega millions that some states offer. Winning the lottery is the hope of getting the American dream in a fast, non-patient, immediate satisfaction generation. The American dream of having a beautiful home with money in the bank can automatically be achieved just by buying a lottery ticket in the hopes of winning. To think of no longer working, buying that mansion and pulling up in a red Ferrari can be bought for only a dollar at a time, it’s easy to see why people buy the tickets. It is a price that many Americans are willing to gamble on and I too fall into that trap. There are some people that play the scratch off lottery tickets for fun and the thrill of gambling but for something like the mega millions it’s played on a hope and a prayer.
The lottery is run by the government of each state. According to www.ohiolottery.com “The Ohio Lottery Commission was created in May 1973 by a voter-approved constitutional amendment. The first tickets went on sale in August 1974. Today, the Ohio Lottery Commission offers customers a wide variety of instant games and on-line games to play at about 8,500 licensed retailer locations across the state. Since 1974, the Lottery has provided more than $15 billion to public education. Annually, we provide about 4.5 percent of the funding needed for public education -- an effort shared by local, state and federal governments.” Knowing this is helping public education and could POSSIBLY win me millions I choose to play the lottery. Because, you have to play to win and hey I’m helping the school system, it’s a win win.
Currently at my job, we have a lottery pool where bi-weekly people put in $1.00 for the lottery. The hope is that if everyone puts in money our chances of winning will be greater as we’re buying $40.00 worth of tickets for the personal price of just $1.00. I’ve heard many people at my work say that even though chances are slim of winning, they couldn’t imagine their regret if they are the only ones left in the office to work while their co-workers get to split millions and retire. I too, fall under this category. It’s a slimy, intelligent beast that the Ohio Lottery Commission has created, however it was approved by the voters. With the popular culture of American society of being rich and beautiful it is easy to see why this was voter approved and why so many of us fall into its snare.
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