P000243
Monday, January 28, 2002 3:39 PM
Fairness of proposed compensation
Dear Sir:
Certainly the events of September 11 were a great tragedy. My heart goes out to anyone who lost a loved one, friend, or aquaintance. However, as a taxpayer, I do not feel that it is my responsibility to compensate these people for their losses.
Everyone, including persons employed in dangerous jobs, needs to be sure that their family and other dependents will be taken care of in the event of their disablement or death. Long-term financial planning is a personal responsibility. That is why there are financial products such as life insurance. I see nothing wrong with the proposal to adjust the award amounts by taking into account life insurance policies, IRAs, etc.
It appears to me that some people see an opportunity to become wealthy at the expense of the government, and ultimately, the individual taxpayer. What about the person who was murdered on Sept. 10, or the person who died in a drunk-driving accident on Sept. 12? These too are "innocent bystanders". Do their families suffer any less than the Sept. 11 families? Do we offer their families better than $1 million? Of course not. Neither should we do so for these victims.
To the victims' families, I say keep in mind that there have been many other victims of terrorism over the years: plane crashes due to bombs, and the Oklahoma City bombing. Did we offer their families over $1 million? No. Was this "just"?
I believe the Sept. 11 families need to step back, take a deep breath, and gain some perspective.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Annapolis, MD