a short essay on why the lottery should remain legal as a response to Michael Sandel's essay, "Bad Bet"

Of all the issues facing America today such as September 11, racism, corporate scandals, state lotteries are most definitely not one of the problems America must deal with. State lottery games are by no means a form of "civic corruption" (as stated by Michael Sandel in his essay, "Bad Bet,"). Not only are state lotteries harmless, they are actually beneficial. For one thing, the lottery is an inexpensive way for people to dream. People like to …

…on about why he thinks the lottery is so horrible, but he never mentions what a possible alternative is - because there is no better alternative. What else could that states do that would provide $34 billion nationwide a year, while at the same time providing a form of entertainment that citizens can chose whether or not to partake in? Until Sandel can come up with a solution, the lottery is by far the best answer.