N001388
Monday, January 07, 2002 1:00 AM
Dispute over Victims' Fund
I, along with hundreds of thousands other Americans was horrified at the
murderous act of the terrorists. I personally feel there should be some
assistance given to the victims' families. However, I am sorely
disappointed in the hoopla that has surrounded the various funds, in
that what would have any one individual family had done had their spouse
just dropped dead of a heart attack. Just yesterday, a truck driver
died in my city, as a result of an auto/truck accident. No one will
come forth to help his family. He was on the job, I assume, and will be
entitled to Worker's compensation. Hopefully, he had life insurance or
some means too provide for his family.
I do not wish to diminish in any way the suffering of the families
affectved by September 11. However, I think we all fail to forget that
EVERY DAY, many times a day, someone's loved one, spouse, breadwinner,
etc. dies unexpectedly. I cannot for the life of me see where the
families of September 11 are any different. What had one man gone to
work at the WTC and just dropped dead at his desk of a heart attack?
You'd never heard of it, much lest have billions of dollars raised to
provide for him or the many others just like him throughout our country.
I just think it is time we put into perspective that these families on a
one on one basis, just as if a horrible accident had just happened to
one of them. It just was multiplied by this horrendous act. However,
in reality, it is no different than the customer in a convenience store
that got gunned down by a robber.
These families should be greatful for the amounts of monies that have
poured in from around the country, or world, for that matter. Many
widows/widowers have nothing when their spouse just happens to get
killed out here in the day to day scene of living. I just think we
should make every effort to give them some relief, see that worker's
compensation is paid promptly, life policies paid promptly, and then
assist then each in some way. I don't think we owe them hundreds of
thousands of dollars for each family, but should be based on a need.
Individual Comment
Helena, AL