A sense of civic duty

**tri boy** · 27th August 2007, 13:06

Originally Posted by Ocean1

Correct. I remember reading a report which followed the lives of several lottery winners. A decade down the track most of them had little to show for their win.

What report?
I would wager

that most Lotto winners do indeed have a better financial position a few years down the track. And if not, what does it matter, they bought a ticket, won, enjoyed their winnings and kept breathing. Sounds like some people are just jealous of those that have had some luck.
Does that make them poor lost souls in the swamp that is evil gambling?

Let me add that I have no affiliations with any gambling institutions. i just beleive we have the right to have a bit of fun.

**F5 Dave** · 27th August 2007, 13:50

Well I didn't dump entirely on the horse racing fraternity, I'm not suggesting that it can't be a good day out if you like that sort of thing (I'd rather babysit someone else's kids in a foodcolour frenzied birthday party ), that's the reason I said "It makes you think" No I don't think the thread has spiralled down upon itself.

500 million in one weekend a few spare dollars?

Lets not forget that this 'sport' has been grown on the money from gambling. If not then it would be considerably smaller and have to self support like ohh I dunno, motorcycle racing perhaps (yes I know they bet on it overseas).

And as far as a few people who have a problem it would be interesting to find out how much money is spent by those that can't afford it. There apparently is evidence (according to the papers) that apart from the great unwashed (that seemingly the general public don't care about until they realise that it could be them) there are often a lot of small businesses that go tits up after a casino opens in the area.

The strong willed and often successful it appears are also draw toward the thrill of risk. They've won at business & have some spare cash to go around, lets have a bit of this gambling lark. But if a problem occurs then the money gets sucked out, and peoples lives & jobs can be grossly affected.

Company embezzlement stories in the paper often pinpoint an employee with a gambling problem. Familiar quotes like 'I was glad to get caught to end it all' & 'I was going to pay it back'.

As I said before the whole 'Am I my brothers keeper?' is a huge question of civil liberties and rights. I kinda wanted to avoid that as it will miss the point:

I think our brother is being stalked and harvested.

**tri boy** · 27th August 2007, 14:18

Fair enough Dave, now we could discuss the gambling industry for weeks, but what i would like to read is a suggestion that will allow people to enjoy the thrill/pleasure of it, either frequently or infrequently while the industry/or dept can help those at risk of throwing their lives away.
Nobody probably believes that the gambling agencies can or will care, and most Govt depts are useless at most things, and couldn't react quick enough. So whats the answer? Special gambling ID cards?
I think its one of those things that claims a percentage, while contributing something to others(fun, employment,excitement).

**SlashWylde** · 27th August 2007, 16:00

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

So how do I, or possibly we, attack the current situation? I don’t think letters to the editor or local politician are going to make sod all difference.

Yes, you're right, letters to anyone won't make any difference. This is because the fundamental problem is that contemporary human beings are essentially greedy little consumers. They constantly want instant gratification in their boring little lives by incessantly buying trivial 'stuff' they don't actually need, or in the case of some, gambling the money away.

Generally speaking, the less intelligent a person is, the less able they are to manage their money wisely.

**scumdog** · 4th September 2007, 23:45

Originally Posted by SlashWylde

Generally speaking, the less intelligent a person is, the less able they are to manage their money wisely.

Or even get ANY money at all.

**Skyryder** · 5th September 2007, 17:21

Originally Posted by Big Dave

"I went to gamblers anonymous - they gave me 5 to 1 on 'I wouldn't make it.'"

So what happened. Did you bet on yourself and make a killing??

Skyryder

**Finn** · 5th September 2007, 17:46

Here we go again, pampering to the people of NZ who aren't responsible for their own lives. We think the only answer is Government intervention when in reality whenever the Government is in control of anything, they simply fuck it up. What's worse is you think they actually care about these people. Let me tell you, they don't. Your Government enjoys all the tax collected from Casino's and pokies so it ain't gonna stop. They've even introduced compulsory electronic devices into pokies so the Government can make sure they get every cent. Besides, I suspect most of them are benificiaries so Labours got their vote anyway.

Don't take away my freedom because these morons don't know when to stop.

As for all the manufacturers moving away from NZ, perhaps you need to really think why this is happening. No, really think.

**F5 Dave** · 5th September 2007, 17:53

Spend a lot of time thinking about it being in the manufacturing game, don't patronise me turkey.

No of course I don't think the Government cares. Read the thread. No, really read it.

**Finn** · 5th September 2007, 18:32

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Spend a lot of time thinking about it being in the manufacturing game, don't patronise me turkey.

No of course I don't think the Government cares. Read the thread. No, really read it.

My post wasn't aimed at you, however I did read your thread. So when/if you lose your job because the owners of your company can't make it work in NZ because of: the high dollar, unbalanced employment law, lack of a skilled workforce, non-productive workforce, over taxing and high compliance cost, will you still be so concerned about beneficiaries spending your money on pokies?

How can we help? While a change of Government is a good start, there's a lot wrong with NZ that kiwi's don't seem to care about. My answer? Don't focus on the dead beats. Look after number one.

**Flatcap** · 5th September 2007, 19:18

Originally Posted by Finn

My answer? Don't focus on the dead beats. Look after number one.

This works up to a point, Finn, however what happens when the dead-beats run out of money? they steal my toys to fund their habit.

Perhaps some of the pokies money should be spent on more police to protect us from those too retarded to practice impulse control....

**Finn** · 6th September 2007, 10:37

Originally Posted by Fairlie

Perhaps some of the pokies money should be spent on more police to protect us from those too retarded to practice impulse control....

Isn't that what tax is for? Remember the Labour Government has been over taxing us for years generating huge surpluses.

**jrandom** · 6th September 2007, 10:43

Originally Posted by Finn

My answer? Don't focus on the dead beats. Look after number one.

If a perceptual filter could be constructed to remove cuntishness, half of your posts would make damn good sense, and the other half would be blank.

**Hitcher** · 6th September 2007, 10:43

Originally Posted by Finn

Remember the Labour Government has been over taxing us for years generating huge surpluses.

Please stop reminding me. And could everybody please stop voting for them!

**oldrider** · 6th September 2007, 11:04

Originally Posted by 007XX

Gambling is an addiction which derives from a lack of self control of the individual affected.

Whether removing pokies will fix it, I don't think so.

I am addicted to sex, (which derives from a lack of self control of the individual affected)

Will removing the pokies fix that, or is it too late?

Mrs O/r thinks it's just too late!

I think "more pokies" might help in my case!

I will have to mention that Doctor 007XX prescribed it

John.