N001577
Sunday, January 13, 2002 10:59 PM
Interim Final Rule
Dear Mr. Zwick,
We have spent the last few days trying to make sense of the Interim
Final Rule for victim's compensation benefits. We mourn the loss of friends,
co-workers and neighbors. What pains us most is that those who are suffering
the loss of a loved one are also trying to read through the legal jargon with
a heavy heart and a fragile mind. The task before you is monumental. It
seems as if the government is attempting to placate the masses by making us
feel as if we are all created equal. Well, unfortunately, we are not, and
Sept. 11th didn't change that fact. The WTC housed some of the largest
financial institutions in the world. Some of the men and women who worked
there were CEOs, some were partners of their firms, some were back office
workers, restaurant workers, store owners, or union members. Each person was
on a different economic level. It seems as if the distribution of this fund
is trying to compensate for the inequalities among the individuals. Should
those who earned higher incomes, had life insurance policies, company shares
or pension funds be penalized? What about those who made frugal life
choices, saved money, invested wisely, had or didn't have children? The only
fair way to distribute the fund is to equally compensate across the board.
One sum for each family. No one is going to become a millionaire or have a
lifestyle change because of this fund. The money is to sustain the families
and have them live as they would have before this tradgedy.
Thank you for this forum to voice our opinions. We hope you will be
just in your decisions.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Upper Saddle River, NJ