Would you rather win the lottery or be president?

[Cal-Reflector]

I think this question is interesting because it presents a choice between two things which have been universally coveted throughout human history: Money and power and all that they bring. Many dream of becoming rich or president and the more dedicated spend their lives working towards it. Both are tough goals that few achieve, although becoming a mega-millionaire seems like the more attainable of the two.

So what would I rather have: 200 million dollars or the US Presidency for 4 years?

A few years ago I would have taken the presidency, but now I would choose the money. The reason for this is my diminished confidence in the political offices. I read a poll a long time ago that a majority of US college students believe the country would be in better shape if they were running the show; I'm not sure I can. International politics too has a depressing record; genocides and famines still occur repeatedly and the UN is powerless to intervene when large nation's interests are at stake. Disease and Civil war is still rampant in Africa. Developing countries are still building dirty power plants (why shouldn't they? The West had its turn in the industrial revolution). What's an American president to do about all this?

On national and international issues, in a democracy such as ours, progress on important issues must come at the expense of up to 49% of those concerned. Legalizing or Banning gay marriage will probably make more people upset than satisfied either way. Restricting the right to pollute will limit the economic growth of developing countries. There's also taxes, guns, spending on welfare and defense, nuclear power usage, etc. I may have an opinion on these issues, some of those opinions could even be beliefs, but when you're the one who actually makes the decision to try to make these things happen and are shouldered with the consequences and possibilities of failure and the bad blood to follow... I'd rather take the lottery jackpot.

Just to illustrate how unsure I am of my ability to be president: I think there may even be some video games that I'd ban. Just like how even though I like gun ownership as a constitutional right, I don't think people should be allowed to own rocket launchers. It's foreseeable that in the future, when GTA become mundane, video games will permit players to become slave traders, child killers, drug dealers, rapists, you name it. In fact, I think all these options are already available. So yeah.

I'd take the money, skip the bureaucracy and political pressure, and try to help those in need more directly, if I were so ideally inclined that is. Thus I'd avoid the burden of spending taxpayer's money in a fashion that is fair to everyone in America and the rest of the world, which is absolutely impossible and something only God can do.

I don't need 200 million dollars to be a writer, but maybe the money would be useful if I wanted to convince someone to turn my writing into a manga or anime, which would surely be a huge hit and inspire millions: An anime where the hero, his childhood girl friend (naturally his primary romantic interest) and his pet German Shepherd battle vicious warlords in Africa and unethical businessmen who are polluting the world we share.

On second thought, perhaps banning handguns while allowing rocket launchers wouldn't be such a bad idea. The majority of gun owners who like to hunt and shoot on the range still can, and would probably enjoy more the explosive thrill the latter provides, while criminals and robbers would have a harder time acquiring rocket launchers and sneaking around with them. The important thing would then be to prevent cheap Chinese rocket launchers from flooding in.

[GuidoHunter_Toki]

Well its a no brainer for me. The lottery. I just wouldn't feel up to the task of president and I just don't have what it takes to run a country. Getting all that money would be great, but I'd make sure not to become one of those countless idiots who shovel all there money away on pointless ventures that eventually ruins their lives.

[Claude]

I'd much rather win the lottery because I would probably do something stupid and get assassinated.

[Cherudim Arche]

I would also go with the lottery, as the the burden will come and go. As president, it would be a nightmare to deal with all risks involved domestically and internationally. The burden keeps on falling on the president one after another. The qualification are too important as president, so it must be nitpicked. I don't think those tough decisions are something I would do.

[nanafan]

hmm i agree with the others i would rather win the lottery, i don't think i could handle the pressure or want to have a big responsibility like that.

[teachopvutru]

I picked the lottery. To be honest, I would prefer having way less than 200 million dollars, for having that much money is dangerous in itself...

[C.A.]

I picked 200 million as well.

I'd really live my life as a NEET if I had such money.

[BOOKGLUTTON]

This is ridiculous. I would use the lottery to run for my presidency and still have money left over. I would have absolutely no problem letting my mind being a vessel for my country's ideals. This country needs a honest candidate with no gray areas, and that honestly won't happen for some time.

[nanafan]

Originally Posted by BOOKGLUTTON

This is ridiculous. I would use the lottery to run for my presidency and still have money left over. I would have absolutely no problem letting my mind being a vessel for my country's ideals. This country needs a honest candidate with no gray areas, and that honestly won't happen for some time.

lol but you would have to have a political office to gain experience, or get a name in the world of politics.
i would rather the lottery since i can pay off my loans, find an apartment, etc...

[xia]

I'm the type of person who just doesnt like to take on to much responsibility, so I much rather win the lottery than be the leader and chief of a country.

[Irkalla]

Since I'm not from USA neither do I want to be, I'll chose the money. Does that count or do I need to be a resident to vote :O

[Vexx]

I can be a lot more politically effective with $200M than by being President.... under the current status quo.

[Aoie_Emesai]

I rather be president. Because I believe I can create changes.

[ApostleOfGod]

Same. I'd rather be pres. Although in modern society, even with $100 mil. I might be able to make a huge difference politically. Bribe a few here and there..

Seriously, I aim to be a bigger figure in the future anyway.

[BOOKGLUTTON]

Originally Posted by nanafan

lol but you would have to have a political office to gain experience, or get a name in the world of politics.
i would rather the lottery since i can pay off my loans, find an apartment, etc...

Views alone can get you moderate amounts of recognition. Some light terms in office are all that's really needed to get running.

[Kang Seung Jae]

Money, obviously.


1. I'm not a US citizen

2. I have more control over money than people.

[Aoie_Emesai]

Originally Posted by Kang Seung Jae

Money, obviously.


1. I'm not a US citizen

2. I have more control over money than people.

Of course this is that we are assuming you are a citizen and can be prez ^^, Kang Seu.

[FateAnomaly]

Lottery by far no question about it. With 200m i can do the things i like and retire now. With the presidency... well i can't think of anything good that will come out of it.

[Claies]

One has to see the debauchery of American politics, the other gives me millions of dollars taken from poor people who were made to think they have a flying chance at jumping several tax brackets. I can't do either in good conscience.

[Cal-Reflector]

Today is a good day for America. It's another step forward since desegregation, arguably the final step, the last step that can be cleared through ballots and politics. Today America comes clean with its deepest self-inflicted wound and source of shame.

It's clear now that the majority of voters did not let race decided their vote. Of course there are still those who let race decide whether they were for or against Obama. There will continue to be those who vote this way in the future, but they didn't decide this election, and that is a victory all Americans can be proud of. So if you, like me, didn't vote for Obama because he said he'd raise taxes on rich people, etc, that's alright, what's important is that you voted against him for the right reasons. And what are the right reasons? That is debatable, but they definitely don't include race.

Back in 2000, to be fair, that is without the benefit of hindsight, no one could say that they KNEW Al Gore was going to be an awesome president and they KNEW Bush was going to be, well, the end of the world. Now, 2008, I still don't think anyone can say they KNOW Obama is going to be an awesome president or they KNOW McCain would make an awful president. In Gore and McCain's case we'll never find out, but we're going to find out about Obama; He could make a great president and we're giving him that chance because we were able to look past the color of his skin. That's not to be taken for granted. That is very cool.

Alright, I'm going to scrounge together something alcoholic now, because even though the guy I voted for lost, there's still a cause for celebration today.