N002277
Tuesday, January 22, 2002 2:32 PM
Victim's Compensation
I have two significant concerns relative to my understanding of the victims
compensation guidelines.
First, I am concerned by the precedent that offering any compensation at all
sets for future (and past) terrorist activities. The United States
Government is not in the least responsible for the actions taken by the
September 11 terrorists, and so I wonder why the government would offer
compensation. To me, an offer to pay seems to admit some level of
responsibility. Also, what makes the victims of September 11 any more
damaged than victims of any other terrorist (domestic or foreign) act? Yet,
to my knowledge, we did not and do not offer or promise similar compensation
to other victims or their families. I believe that compensation to victims
should be limited to that which is available to them from private
(non-government) charities.
Second, if compensation is to be paid, why should the amount be reduced by
the victim's life insurance, pension, or other benefits? This would seem to
be penalizing those people who plan for the uncertainties of life. All of
the unfortunate victims of September 11 were much more likely to lose their
life on the way to or from work than to die in a terrorist attack. People
who understand the everyday risks of life set money aside to protect their
family should an accident occur. They sacrifice today's pleasures to
provide security for tomorrow. Yet, the victim's compensation guidelines,
as I understand them, will now make those investments in security worthless.
The victim's compensation guidelines will do this by reducing their family's
payout by the amount of protection that THEY PURCHASED during their
lifetime. This would certainly not encourage a person to demonstrate such
responsibility in the future. I believe that, if compensation is to be
paid, all victims should be treated equally. To me, that means each person
should receive exactly the same payout regardless of what other protections
they had purchased during their lifetime. Those who provided additional
security for their family should not be penalized.
That's my input. Please understand I feel a great deal of compassion for
all the victims of September 11. I personally have contributed to many of
the private agencies who provide relief to victims. I'm just concerned by
the precedents we will now set in terms of compensation from the federal
government.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.
Individual Comment
Midland, MI