Isn't the idea of a state lottery that a portion of those funds (a cetrain percentage) goes to things like schools, roads, etc for the state?

Yeah. So it's a tax. On the stupid people. Hardly fair.

I kind of like the idea of taxing stupid people.

We wouldn't need any other taxes.

??A tax on stupid people? So all people who buy a lottery ticket are stupid?

I admit it was an overgeneralization. Buying a lottery ticket is a stupid act. I've probably purchased $5 of lottery tickets in my life. It is stupid of me to have done that.

buying a lottery ticket isn't stupid at all. buying lottery tickets in place of paying the mortgage, buying food, or funding your retirement is stupid. i enjoy buying an occasional ticket. it isn't any different than hitting the roullette wheel. i probably won't walk away with anything, but it is the anticipation and the possibility that make it worthwhile. besides, i've pissed away a buck in much worse ways.