Lotteries have not fulfilled promise

To the editor:

More years ago than I care to count, some pseudo-sage decided it was time for Indiana to jump into the lottery race and reap their fair share of the readily available money Illinois and Ohio were robbing us of.

Just imagine. Millions and untold more millions were there for the taking, to be used for anything we saw fit.

As I recall, teacher wages were one of the most often mentioned.

I do recall J.R. writing an editorial explaining why the lottery was not such a hot idea. All J.R.’s reasons were valid, and, true to form, a state needing ready money, ignored.

The Hoosier Lottery was a huge success. For a buck, you could go on TV and win thousands, even millions, of easy dollars.

Then, predictably, avarice raised its greedy head. One drawing a week was not enough. Two a week would double the fun.

Somewhere my memory fails me. I don’t recall which came first, whether the buck went two, or whether it was announced that drawings were to be computerized.

I do recall declaring “fix” when it was announced that there would be no more public drawings. Computers were taking over.

Next came privatization of the good ol’ Hoosier Lottery. This coupled with computerization and audit — free system practically insured our teachers’ wage increases are resting in a lockbox in New Jersey.

Somewhere someone realized that if one state generated millions, several states could develop hundreds of millions, and thus Powerball was born.

States not affiliated with Powerball formed Mega Millions, and now nationwide lotteries generate billions upon billions and no one knows where this windfall is going.

True, occasionally a feel-good story is printed about 17 dock workers hitting it big, but overall, someone, according to lottery officials, forms an LLC and the money disappears. This happened in Indiana as recently as 15 months ago.

Consider that three weeks ago a billion and a half was up for grabs and I don’t recall anyone being named a winner. Just another feel-good story. Two, really, the Mega Millions was huge, too.

If after reading this opinions you feel the urge to play, wait until the jackpot is at least $200 million. They won’t be hit until then.

Hoosier Lottery, save your money. It is here. I will go one record saying none of the preceding ranting about the disbursement of prize money is based on actual facts. They are based on what has actually happened week to week.

What hasn’t happened is teachers’ salaries going up.

Larry Chittum

Portland