Nothing for Something

When I was between my Junior and Senior year in High School (That was the summer of 1958 for those who want to do the math) I went to California to visit my aunt. I went on the train and the train went through Las Vegas. That was my first visit to the city in the Desert.

I got off the train and walked down the street to see the lights of the Strip. It was fascinating and I can still remember the big sign that said Golden Nugget.

My mother's sister lived in Los Angeles and had a really nice place on a ridge between Santa Monica and the City. It had a fabulous view of downtown and was cooled by the ocean breeze. Ellen had many souvenirs from Las Vegas including cards and dice and glasses. I think she like to go there. At that time it was one of the few places in the country where gambling was legal. Now it seems like it is legal everywhere.

We have what I call "grocery store gambling" in Iowa and a lot of people stop and by lottery tickets on the way out of the store. I don't usually, but every once in awhile I will buy a ticket. Not that I have any hope of winning but - who knows? I could use 118 million (The last jackpot I saw on the billboard off I-235 in Des Moines.)  For me it is just throwing away a buck or two. Other people are addicted to the idea of winning the big one and I know a couple of people who have won but the vast majority lose. They get nothing for their something.

There is something fun though about a casino and the few times I have been back to Las Vegas (or gone to a casino at the lake or elsewhere) I have dropped a few dollars. I only won once. That was in Winnemucca, Nevada.

We were driving to California and stopped there for breakfast. Mother paid for breakfast and I decided to play a slot machine until I lost $5. Well I started with the nickel slot and worked my way up to the dollar ones. Finally, I put my last three one dollar coins in and prepared to lose them. - Well, I won! And it was exciting to have all those coins come spewing out. they stopped and I prepared to leave. The attendant came over and said "Honey, wait while I fill it up. You won more." So I waited and sure enough when she closed the machine it gave me more money. I told mother that I had just won a jackpot (almost $300) and she said, (direct quote) "Let's get the hell out of here!" So we left and on the way back I stopped in Albuquerque, New Mexico and purchased a handmade silver and turquoise watch band which I had my Seiko watch put on and still wear to this day. It was made by Winifred Nez and the stones are from the Kingman Mine.

But that is not what I wanted to write about. I am not usually a gambler. I don't usually buy the raffle tickets or go to the casinos. If I do go I set myself a limit as to how much I am willing to lose (spend) for the entertainment. I don't like giving my money to the casinos. I don't like it that my state supports an industry where jackpots of 118 million are given away. If they are giving that much away how much more are they taking in? Who buys those tickets? Usually those who can least afford it. It is a form of taxing the poorest in our society and this is (finally) the point I am trying to make.

OUR SCHOOLS TEACH THIS - ENCOURAGE IT - and here is how:

In early grades teachers put marbles in jars when someone does something good. Then all the names are put in a hat and when the marble jar is full someone's name is drawn out of the hat and they get a prize. The rest of the students (who arguably did more good collectively than the winner) get nothing.

Names are always being put in hats and drawn out for a prize. What does that teach?

PTO organizations regularly have "fairs" where students and their parents come to spend an evening of games in the classroom. They toss rings, bowl, play cakewalk etc for stupid prizes gotten from a business in Kansas City which imports the junk from overseas. The only advantage to these things is that sometimes you get to make a parent contact with parents. The kids seem to like it because they think they can run the halls and act goofy in the (otherwise) structured school setting.

The other thing (and this is pertinent to my post) is the raffle. PTO's go out to businesses and solicit prizes. Sometimes they purchase a really nice prize and use it to get kids to buy tickets.
Once there was a bike as a prize in the raffle.

Well, you know the story. The kids buy the tickets and a few of them win prizes. I saw one boy purchase $30 worth of tickets because he wanted that bike. Needless to say he did not win it.

So again we have most of them getting nothing for something. And teachers and parents encourage this without a thought as to the lessons behind it. Unfortunately the kids don't learn the right lesson. They don't learn the the games (at carnivals) ar rigged. That you are just throwing your money away when you gamble - which is OK if you have money. So eventually, they think it is all right to gamble. And it is, if you can afford it. Most of those who gamble can't (afford it).

My nephew's grandmother used to go over the the casino in Tama and would come back telling how much she had won. then she stopped talking about her winnings and I think she stopped going to the casino. I always wondered how much that lesson cost her.

So I guess I am saying that I am not in favor of the gambling industry and I don't like the "put your name in a hat" lessons that schools teach. I think praise and a feeling that you have done the right thing should be enough of a reward for the students and once in awhile take the whole class for an ice cream at McDonald's or give them all an extra recess. But everybody gets rewarded, not just the lucky one or two. Schools should be about fairness and inclusion. 'Nuff said for today.

Last night I enjoyed a nice ham dinner at Acanthus and since there was no meeting I got home early. Remember U R Loved. Hugs jcs