This is where we differ. I don't see why it is at all obscene for a person, to win or earn that kind of money. But we all know how the Lottery winners work, they can win infinity and still be broke in 2 years. People who didn't start the day with money (or financial knowledge) loose it just as quickly because they don't know how to manage it.
True that... it lifts people out of an old "comfort-zone" and into a new one that they're wholly unfamiliar with. This is why a lot of millionaires stay millionaires because they don't spend... beyond what is necessary.
Middle class and the poor who have a sudden windfall are all excited about getting the things that they've always wanted (ahem, excuse me NEEDED
) and thus as Omar said... end up broke as they ever was within two years.
Oh they may have a nice house now and new cars and new practically everything... but when the money is gone, the taxes on the house in that nice neighborhood that they've admired from afar is going to force them to sell the house (eventually) and the cars (which would go first) and almost everything else... and they're right back where they started from with the exception of a few nice things that are *ahem* difficult to sell, like that oversized black crushed velvet Elvis painting they bought for their wall.
Some have lost their new-found fortunes to unscrupulous accountants ("trust me, I'm a professional" ) hired to help them "manage their money". Fraudulent investment brokers likewise can take it all or most of it away.
Many also dole out X-amounts to family and friends and charities that they've always wanted but couldn't give to. $10,000.00 don't seem like much to one who has 1000 times that amount but it adds up. Oh boy does it ever add up and that right quick, sad to say.
Still a few do manage to be wise enough to squirrel away enough to carry them through the next 10-15 years and longer if they husband the money. A person is laid out flat on their back spread eagle and their throat exposed when they win an "obscene amount" ... it's the smart ones (sheep-dogs and wolves) who know to turn over on to their feet and zealously guard what they have. It may piss a lot of people off... "oh now you're rich, you won't share!?!?!"
Actually Jenna, one million is probably enough to get a lot of bills paid, the house/car(s) paid off and a nice home entertainment center and a great vacation with a little left over to last the rest of the year. Basically a million bucks doesn't get as far as it used to. So how about up-ing the ante to say about $5 million?
But in answering the question. I've often pondered this (especially as a lottery player)...
Donate 1 million each to the following, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, St. Jude's Hospital, NRA, 100 ($100 K) Scholarships to Gallaudet University (my alma mater -- and it's a University for the Deaf, and it's for students who have the grades out of H.S. but not the money), American Red Cross, 100 ($100 K) donations to various homeless organizations across the country, but not to churches who help the homeless because when I see those big fancy beautiful church buildings taking up a whole or 1/2 city block (including parking), I think about how much money it's all worth and how many mouths it could've fed instead. Make-A-Wish foundation (heavily supervised, heard about it but know it's still a legit organization just have to watch them to make sure $$ spent is ON the child not the organization itself). Hmm... up to 25 million so far... Oh definitely $100K to MT (because I love you guys).
I also have this idea of setting aside 10 Million in cash broken up into bundles of $5,000 to $10,000 and carry a few around with me at a time as I travel. Hundreds of times I meet people who have "a story"... strangers just like me. Some just barely living on the knife's edge of poverty and just need that one break to get going again. Example: Two weeks ago I drove past a man on a freeway off ramp holding a card-board sign... saying "Lost job, mortgage payment due, family hungry. Please Help!" Part of me wanted to pull over and talk with the guy to simply hear his story to find out how it began that he ended up on a street corner holding a sign. Depending upon his circumstances then I'd give him a packet of either the $5K or $10K and then disappear without even giving him my name.
Other times I meet people who have jobs but are struggling mightly to simply catch up with everything... they're making their payments and all that but too much month at the end of the paycheck syndrome... which A LOT of people are dealing with. They would also get one or the other packet. Basically providing what was asked for when someone cries out "gimme a break!"
What they DO with that money is entirely up to them. But chances are they'll do what they need to do. I'll be that optimistic about people instead of cynical.
There are at least a dozen or so other smaller (non-profit) organizations that could use a 100K or so. They just don't have the funds (or the need) that allow them to nationally advertise but they're worthy... at least IMO.
As far as what's left... I thought about doing a mini-make-over for an entire neighborhood block of homes that are just hovering over the poverty line. You know the ones, where everyone does have a job (of sorts) and isn't on welfare but are living in homes that are at least 35-40 years old and are in need of some repair or another, i.e. new roof, siding, paint, doors, windows, and often times landscaping. Things that the owners of the homes neither have time or money for. At least people can feel good about the area where they're living.
Beyond that... I dunno :idunno: wanna change the world... do it locally and let the rest take care of itself.
Bill Gates and others are donating millions to impoverished countries overseas... why should I throw in my two bits when it's those impoverished right here at home that could use some non-government help.
Look around your area/city/town/village/ where you live... how could you help?
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