A "global lottery" is among the innovations in financing for development that former French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy recently mentioned to the press. Given the widely acknowledged regressive nature of raising funds through lotteries, Inner City Press asked Douste-Blazy if a lottery was really the best or most innovative way to try to help the poor. "You mean, on the ethical plane?" Douste-Blazy asked. Yes, that would be the question.