Moron Tax

It’s been called addictive. I say, “it’s been called,” because I’m not sure just what I believe about addictions. Sometimes I think it’s a nice term we use to excuse inexcusable behavior. But, there are many mental health professionals, who are much more educated than I, who believe in addictions. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association has termed this particular activity as resulting in a “disorder of impulse control” for about 3 to 4% of those who engage in it.
That would mean this addiction affects over three million Americans, with many millions more having a serious problem with it. These Americans are much more likely to also have problems with drinking, drugs, and depression. And, a higher incidence of suicide has been noted among those suffering with this addiction.
There are many stories of devastating financial, emotional, and mental effects - not only upon the one addicted, but also on his or her loved ones. And yet, many responsible TV and radio news programs promote it. Newscasters and other broadcast personalities present it as fun, exciting, something to be enjoyed.
There are billboards on the highways encouraging the activity. They even play cute little jingles on the radio to get you excited about participating.
One comedian called it a special tax for morons. Perhaps, you’ve figured out what I’m rambling about. Gambling.
Time was when gambling was considered a vice. I remember, years ago, when prominent Richmonders were arrested for participating in what was then called “numbers games.”
That was before the state decided to take advantage of those who have a problem with out-of-control gambling. And, let’s face it, it’s not the casual, occasional one-dollar lottery player who is making it possible to give away over three hundred million dollars. I don’t know the statistics, but if the giveaway is three hundred million, what are the participating states making on this?
Do state legislators not realize that many adults are taking food out of their children’s mouths in order to play the lottery? Of course they recognize that fact. In fact, they’re counting on you gambling addicts. Without you, they wouldn’t be able to fill the school coffers with millions of dollars annually.
But listen to Bill Bevins and Jimmy Barrett and others hype it. Would they hype the best liquor prices in town to encourage drunks to go out and give in to their addiction? Or would they tell you where to find the prettiest prostitutes? Because, they say sex can be addictive too.
Of course, alcohol can have a healthy effect, when done in moderation, or so I’ve been told. And sex, well it certainly has its place. But gambling is always unhealthy. Why? Well, think about it. When you gamble, you are trying to get rich at the expense of others. It’s not like playing the stock market, where your money is actually used to allow businesses to create jobs, produce goods, etc. Those folks who won three hundred million are going to be enjoying money that many, many idiots have squandered. There are babies who won’t get their clean diaper or their needed bottle of milk because their mommas felt lucky. I’m not making this up. Okay, maybe I am. I’m not an authority. But, let’s say there are a million Virginians who spend a dollar a week on a lottery ticket. That wouldn’t be too devastating to anyone. But, with that level of spending, there’s no way the Virginia lottery could exist. The amount spent has to be phenomenal.
I could go on, and I haven’t even touched on the main reason I’m against gambling. It’s because when I go into 7-11 to buy a cup of coffee, I’m forced to wait in the addicts line for fifteen minutes for these morons to buy their tickets. And, that my friends, is totally inexcusable.