W000216
Wednesday, November 07, 2001 8:21 PM
Victim Compensation
November 7, 2001
First let me say that like most Americans, I view the events of 9/11 as a horrible
tragedy of unparalled proportion. I have great sympathy for the families of the victims.
However, at the risk of sounding unsympathetic and cruel, I must speak my peace.
Many millions of dollars of aid has been raised through voluntary donations/fundraisers,
and that is wonderful. However when it comes to passing laws (federal or state)
regarding victim compensation, we must keep several points in mind.
First, what about the many people across the nation who individually have suffered
tragedy such as loss of a loved one, home, or job. What about the large number of
people who suffer a tragedy as a result of natural disaster. Is any one good citizen's
life worth more than another? Does it matter whether the life was taken by a
terrorist versus natural disaster or other means?
Secondly, won't we be setting a precedent if we pass laws entitling victim's families
to compensation? What about the next terrorist attack? What about, God forbid,
a biological attack that kills vast numbers?
We are a nation (and a world) of limited resources, and that includes financial
resources. When I hear about free college tuition for victims' families and proposals
that spouses continue to receive full salary of their lost loved one for life (or until
remarriage), I worry about who's going to pay for that. I worry that our nation,
with all the things that it must spend money on, will go broke. Additionally, we may
also have to worry about fraud in the case of claiming victim compensation benefits.
As I've said, I think the voluntary relief efforts have been wonderful. But I think we
are now going overboard on the idea of "victim compensation". The very phrase
connotes some form of entitlement. Legislation offering victim compenstion would
be disrespectful of all other victims of other tragidies and would set a dangerous
precedent. I believe that government should concentrate spending our tax dollars
on our safety/security and rebuilding/revitalizing the area struck by the terrorist attack.
This effort and our active war on terrorism will cost us enough!
Yours truly,
Individual Comment
Poughkeepsie, NY