P000450
Thursday, February 07, 2002 1:44 AM
aid for people who have lost loved ones in the Sept. 11 attack
Special Master Kenneth Feinberg
I saw Mr. Feinberg on television news tonight, and I was very upset to discover the victims our government is trying to help are not happy with the amount of money the government is kind enough to offer them. I don't think they understand.
As a 55 year old taxpayer who makes $18,500 a year, I am glad our government is willing to use some of the money I pay out of my paycheck to help people who have suffered a terrible tragedy. I would like these complainers to think about the fact that some of the people who were killed were not wearing business suits and did not have lots of insurance. There were waiters and store clerks, busboys and other people making minimum wages who perhaps leave families who could use a bit of assistance. This aid is "in case you need it", it's not so people who have enough can have more.
Sept. 11 was an act of war, not some kind of negligence thing. If there were civilians killed at Pearl Harbor, I'm sure it never occurred to them to demand money from the government because their houses were burnt down and loved ones killed or maimed. There are some people who will never have enough, no matter how much they have.
I sincerely hope the people complaining are a very few who are just not themselves right now, because they are still in shock and grief-stricken. I am sorry for their loss, perhaps they could channel their grief in a better way, maybe they could try to aid some of the less fortunate victims, the ones who usually fall through the cracks. Somewhere there is a woman with several small children, perhaps she doesn't speak English so well, her man was killed, and with the two of them, they were just about making it. Now that he's gone, she needs help. So let's try to help her, and tell the greedy ones to try a little compassion.
I would like to say, Mr. Feinberg, that I am sorry this has become such an unpleasant job and you are having to take so much abuse. You have my sympathies.
Individual Comment
Spokane WA