Question of liberality - Re: Lotteries, etc

[ChoralScholar]

Here in Arkansas, we are always fighting the battle of bringing in/not bringing in lotteries. All the surrounding states have them, and Arkansans flock across the line, sending our precious little money into other states' coffers.

Many moderates and conservatives argue that if we bring in a lottery, people who have very little income will spend it on lottery tickets, putting more people in bad financial situations. I find this argument, although misguided, not completely without merit.

We, as liberals, obviously advocate for personal freedom to buy whatever with your own money, but how do we resolve the fact that some of these people will inevitably destitute themselves, hoping to win the lottery, thereby placing a strain on governmental programs intended help people who really need it?

How do we balance personal freedom vs. financial responsibility in this issue?

I'm not trying to start a flame war, I'm just looking for your thoughts, to help sort out my own.