--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, BCarStew@... wrote:
> I am not exactly thrilled with foreigners coming in on a whim, throwing in
> a few nickels, and winning a small fortune.
Sorry about returning to what is now an old subject, but I've been away from the computer for a few days.
You should not lose sight of the fact that, in all liklihood, 30% of that huge jackpot won by a Canadian will go to the U.S. Government.
Could someone explain the logic of that to me? Canadians (and I am one) visit the U.S. legally, for entertainment purposes (playing video poker), and if we are lucky enough to win more than $1200 in one play, have 30% of the jackpot withheld for taxes.
While we can recover that withheld amount by convincing the IRS that we are net losers for the year, but for that year only, the very notion that visiting tourists, who exert no demand at all on the finances or social fabric of the country, and who are probably net multi-year losers, ought to contribute 30% of such fortunate wins is, to me, just not right.
