Posted by
Matt Berry on Friday, November 21, 2008 3:32:51 PM
Ever noticed how the things which amuse us change as we age?
Take what we watch on television. When I was younger, the best time of the week had to be Saturday mornings. With all those cartoons, I was up early to get as many as I could. As I made my way through school, Friday’s quickly became the best day of the week: no homework was usually given out. Plus, I didn’t have to get up as early for the next two days. Now, a young adult, my favorite time of the week has changed once again. I love Sunday afternoons, because that’s when I fill up on NFL football.
But I don’t think I’m alone. Yes, I’m really starting to think this whole football-sport may have caught on in a few other households as well. I’m starting to consider that there may be other TVs sets that are glued to football whenever it’s on, just like so many of my friends – even the ones that just lost their jobs as the economy is falling apart.
As television has become interactive in recent years, many people, including many of my friends, have discovered other ways to entertain them selves other than simply watching the set. One popular example is fantasy football, something that has grabbed hold of the nation. Lots of my friends are in varied pools and regularly bet on games, all based on the players they “have” in their “leagues.” Of course, I don’t know the specifics, but I’d bet loads of money can be found in this extremely popular form of entertainment, illegal as it may be in some many parts of our country.
Now couldn’t that be a solution?
I know it exists in certain places – why not everywhere?
If more governments were to begin taxing the gambling on the easily-accessible market of sports-betting, an additional source of money could be found. Some relief can be give to our struggling economies, all by taxing something people are already doing on a regular basis. The government gets more money, people are allowed to make their bets easier, and our deficits begin to decrease.
Everyone wins, right?
Now it may not the total fix everyone’s looking for. But I’d wager to say it could be a step in the right direction…