Dear Iowa Lottery
Christopher L. Jorgensen1
P.O. Box 93042
Des Moines, IA 50393
April 15, 2008
Iowa Lottery
PO Box 10474
Des Moines, IA 50306-9996
Dear Iowa Lottery,
I heard on the Dave Ramsey show that lotteries are just a tax on people too stupid to do math. He said you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than you do of winning the lottery. Is this true? Do you think this means more people should stay indoors? This way, if less people were struck by lightning, you could run a commercial or something with the slogan, “You stand a better chance of winning the lottery than being struck by lightning!” It would suck to be struck by lightning.
It would be cool to win the lottery, but since I don’t play it’s probably not that likely to happen. Since it doesn’t sound like it’s likely to happen even if I did play I don’t think I am out much.
Sincerely,
Christopher L. Jorgensen
1 Original letter used my home address, but I stopped giving that once once I won the Iowa lottery.
Sponsor:
Reply:
2323 Grand Avenue • Des Moines • Iowa • 50312-50307
Telephone: 515-725-7900
www.ialottery.com
Chester J. Culver • Governor
Patty Judge • Lt. Governor
April 22, 2008
Christopher L. Jorgensen
P.O. Box 93042
Des Moines, IA 50393
Dear Christopher,
Thank you for your letter. The Iowa Lottery, or any state-run lottery for that matter, is not a form of a tax. Rather, it is a voluntary for of entertainment. Just like going to the movies, people can choose whether they want to participate and by how much. People go to prison for not paying their taxes. No one goes to prison or gets in trouble with the authorities for not playing the lottery.
Also, you also mentioned you hear people have a better chance of getting struck by lightening than winning the lottery. This statement is a myth.
Thank you,
[signed]
Tina Potthoff
Public Affairs Manager
Iowa Lottery website: www.ialottery.com
Commentary:
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Christopher L. JorgensenPO Box 546
Ames, IA 50010
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Other points of interest:
Legal:
Who’s this Dave Ramsey you speak of?
This letter is the prefect example of why so many companies rely on form letters!
“Also, you also mentioned you hear people have a better chance of getting struck by lightening than winning the lottery. This statement is a myth.” Also, you also? Well, thanks for clearing up that whole being struck by lightning thing. I feel much safer now! Oh, and it’s “lightning” not “lightening.”
I feel like I am “in trouble with the authorities” now. Uh oh. Also, I also feel like there should be a “yet” at the end of the sentence where I am assured no one goes to jail for not playing the lottery (yet).
Wow. And here I was hoping they would include a free winning ticket and I could quit my day job. Oh well. Maybe Dave will send me some cash! (I am writing him as well.) [Update: Dave sent no cash, but he did reply.]
By Christopher L. Jorgensen
Website: http://jackassletters.com