dojN002080.xml

dojN002080.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-01-22

Tuesday, January 22, 2002 5:20 PM
Please Consider My Concerns Re Victims' Fund

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am writing to provide my opinion on the wrongful use of taxpayers' moneys to make $1.6 millionaires out of families of victims. Allow me to sum up as follows:

1. I am truly sorry for those families of victims. I am personally a generous contributor to the needy and destitute, and as a private citizen feel that it is a worth action to make appropriate donations.

2. It is, nevertheless, outrageous for our government to bestow upon these people an amount of money that will assure that they are guaranteed millionaires. Only a fraction of 1% of Americans will have come by such a significant net worth through their own efforts. How can you justify to the many, many millions of Americans who have worked their whole lives and have a minor fraction of the amount of their money you are gifting to these families. Tragedy strikes every moment of every day in this country, and the government does not try to take such ridiculous action.

3. What do you propose if a terrorist attack strikes again, and, say, a 4-million population city were destroyed? There is not enough money in the coffers to pay out a similar $1.6 million gift to that many families (without extraordinary inflation and redistribution of wealth).

4. Then, after making this well-intentioned, but senseless decision, you go on to essentially grossly reward those who have not provided well financially for their futures. If you were to still feel the necessity to go forward, why not give each one of them a more reasonable level of, say, $100,000. (Do not forget that private funds have also been provided in aggregate amounts that are similarly significant.) I would rather not call it penalizing the prepared victims (in terms of offsetting of life insurance, 401-K plans, pension funds, etc.), but rather, a gross enhancement to those undeserving victims. While I do not think those who have not provided well financially for their futures should have their pay-outs aggrandized in this way, because the number is so great at a $1.6 million potential, the offsets are probably correct (that is why I would urge a much lower pay-out to everyone without consideration of other assets, insurance, etc.).

5. There is no price you can put on life, so that is not a good argument for this wasteful and outrageously generous gifting arrangement, utilizing taxpayers' funds.

6. Why are you worried about lawsuits? -- What could the government have done to have caused this tragic event that would likely prevail in a wrongful death finding if brought to court? As an American, I would rather have us take that chance, especially as there are lots and lots of privately gifted funds (the right way) available. Also, on this flimsy ("economic-argument") basis, legislation could be passed to declare this an act beyond such litigation -- a far better way to deal with this concern.

7. What about all the spouses of victims that were contemplating or currently taking action regarding divorcing the deceased victim? Do you intend to reward them and include them in the new "millionaires' club" as well?

8. What about the illegal aliens that worked in the building? I guess they will join the exclusive ranks of the unintended and undeserved wealthy as well.

Well, as you can see, as an American I am disgusted by the flagrant irresponsibility (despite national pain) in responding in this way. I urge you to go back to the drawing board and reverse this hideous, precedent-setting decision.

Individual Comment
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

2002-01-22