P000133
riday, January 25, 2002 3:56 PM
Compensation Comments
First let me say that my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved
one (s) from the events of 11 September. I believe that there are people
who truly need financial help as a result of what happened. The
government should do all it can to identify these individuals and
provide monetary support to help them meet their financial obligations
for the short term.
However, I do not believe it is the role of the government to compensate
people because of their poor financial planning (i.e. insufficient life
insurance). Yes, it is hard to recover from the loss of a loved one,
especially if that individual is the source of the primary income.
However, if you change the tragic element to another unforeseen tragedy
such as a heart attack, stroke, drowning, etc. the government would not
step in to provide economic support to the survivors.
I have the utmost respect for police officers and firefighters. However,
they chose to work in hazardous occupations and they know the risk of
fatal injury is part of the job. They are no different than say our
service men and women who defend our nation's security day in and day
out. I commend them for serving their country and I am glad that they do
so but it is their choice. We have people in this country who choose to
live on faults in California, in the flood plains of the Midwest, and on
mountain slopes with potentially dangerous rock slides. They made the
choice and know the potential consequences yet they still take the risk.
I believe that the government is setting a dangerous precedent. It opens
up the door to define the government's responsibility and accountability
in all tragedies (e.g. terrorist actions, natural disasters, acts of
war, etc.). Will the government have to compensate for injury or loss of
life because of the next major earthquake in California if thousands are
injured or killed? If the Titanic or the Lusitania were US ships and
were to sink today, would the government compensate the survivors?
I know this a very emotional topic because of its magnitude but it must
be handled with a rational frame of mind. I have had my say and I thank
you for your time.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Herndon, VA