On a different note, the Powerball lottery's jackpot is a record $800 million.  My luck with any kind of gambling has been consistently very bad.  I do not win raffles, football pools etc.  I lose in casinos, and of course in the lottery.  I have accepted it as a positive thing, so I try to stay away from lottery or any gambling activity as much as possible.  In my office they collected $10 each in a pool of some 30-40 people, for last week's jackpot, which was $400 million.  The tickets were purchased, scanned, and emails were sent out to all the contributors.  To be in the team spirit, I contributed too.  Of course, we did not win.  So, they started again today to collect for the bigger jackpot.  This time I decided to not be a team player.  I am sure the same routine was played out in almost every workplace in America.

So, here is my question:  why doesn't the government give out more prizes in smaller chunks?  Say, $100,000 to 8000 people? I know the answer already.  The government collects more taxes on $800 million prize than on $100,000.  I get it.  So, let us make it $1 million, to 800 winners.  I am sure the taxes at $1 million and $800 million will probably be in the same bracket.  At least, it will make 800 parties happy.  Hey, for all you know, I might even join every lottery pool!