dojP000389.xml

dojP000389.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-02-04

Monday, February 04, 2002 7:49 PM
Compensation Fund Comment

With reference to the above, while I sympathize with the pain families of the
victims are feeling, as a citizen I am disturbed by what appears to be a new
entitlement. I am also dismayed by the greed of the families based on
comments they have made on television and stories in newspapers.

Furthermore, it would appear that the life of a Wall St. trader and/or other
high paid people is more highly valued than others. As a retired securities
analyst with nearly 30 years on "Wall Street" I find the decision to base
compensation from the fund on projected earnings to be unfair in this
instance and somehwhat misguided. While, I realize that the decision is based
on how settlements are decided in the insurance industry, the 9/11 situation
is not typical. As a matter of fact, the projection that a 35 or 40 year old
trader will work until age 65 is unrealistic. The majority of traders retire
by the time their 50 or 55. In fact, the investment business is typically a
youth oriented business and encourages early retirement.

Earning spouses are killed in all types of accidents in this country
everyday. Families cope and move on for the most part without government
assistance. This program is overly generous. There is no easy way to say
this, but I do not pay taxes to keep the widows of high paid professionals in
expensive houses. I think the economic loss is more acute for the familes of
lower-paid employees who worked in the buildings.

Respectfully,

Individual Comment

2002-02-04