Pain & Suffering?

mudge

Watched The Factor last nite and there was some guy on who lost his brother on 9/11. (The deceased had no other family than his brother and parents.) Also had an "ambulance chaser" from the PR of Mass.Both were whining about how the money the families of the 9/11 victims were getting wasn't enough. They wanted more for "pain & suffering". $250,000 just wasn't enough. I really didn't understand how the death of this guy's brother changed his or his parent's lives economically, but there he was whining about the money.EXCUSE ME!!!! Isn't that OUR money they're talking about? I'm all for helping the people out but to hear them whine about how $1.65 million TAX FREE isn't enough, lit me up.They want MORE of our tax dollars for pain and suffering? I don't remember doing ANYTHING to contribute to ANYONE'S pain and suffering, so how come they're coming to me wanting more of my money to alleviate the "pain" that I had no part in causing?I'm sorry, but getting $1.65 million, tax free, is like $4 million before taxes. How many of the deceased would have even MADE $4 million in their entire lifetimes?Why is it up to the taxpayers to foot the bill for these people's future anyway? How many people die every day and leave their families destitute? The government doesn't jump in and say: "Here's $1.65 million so you can have a better life than you would have had if your loved one hadn't died."I thought the charities were established to alleviate these financial problems. Am I being too harsh?I'm open to contructive criticism of these opinions.Mudge the gentle

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I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS![This message has been edited by mudge (edited 12-27-2001).][This message has been edited by mudge (edited 12-27-2001).]

Lowrider

I agree 100%, Bro. If the charities wanted to create funds and give money to people impacted by this event, that's fine. I don't see it as the Federal Govts. (read taxpayers) responsibility to make millionaires out of all the relatives of people who died.Do you see this same kind of response by the govt. for natural disasters? How many people lose everything they own, not to mention their loved ones, in tornadoes and hurricanes each year. All they get, if they're lucky, is a loan from FEMA.The 9-11 incident, with its charity funds on top of govt. funds, has the potential of making wealthy people out of the families of the common everyday schmuck who was unlucky enough to be waxing the floor in the World Trade Center when the planes hit.The really irritating thing about it is, like you said, now the families involved are crying the blues because they think that a million or two just isn't enough.How did this thing get so hosed-up?

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Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

thebutcher

This was done to protect the airlines. If someone accepts the money, they give up their right to sue in court. So these whiners can decline and sue the airline if they so choose. The gov't thinks that keeping the airlines afloat is worth the dough.

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The definition of an "expert":An "X" is an unknown quantity and a "spurt" is a drip under pressure.

He Dog

About 50,000 young men died in the Nam and their families got how much? Help me out here, the memory is getting vague...

simonbs

And most of them were REQUIRED to go by that same government.

badboybob

Simon the word is not"required". The word is FORCED. I have said it many times regarding the draft - MAN'S LIFE DOES NOT BELONG TO THE STATE. Having said that I served 21 years by CHOICE.The government can only wage a foreign war by conscription.

kimberkid

Dont forget too that the "lost spouce" will most likely be replaced in a year or two ... so the benifactor will not only enjoy the "lost earnings" of the "lost spouce" ... but also the earnings of the "new spouce"! Its all a bunch of crap if you ask me ... yet they whine for more??? Oh yeah, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY ... MY *~!

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GUN CONTROL: If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com

turbo

The government has offered each victim (those that perished) of 9/11 $500,000, providing they give up, there right to sue..Since their are few living victims I'm sure they were refering to their surviving relatives.This is what was reported in the news, as I recall.This was to be paid by the Federal Government, as a way of letting the Insurance industry off the hook.There was a pool of money donated to the victims, Firerfighters and Police Officers which are held in separate accounts, from the Red Cross to the NY Fireman's Union.I know this is a doumb question to ask?,, but,Why can't they all just pool the money together, and split it up equally among all victims, after all; all of the victims were, innocent bystanders, or performing their jobs.This will never happen..For those who perished, in the performance of their duties, the state and their Unions, will take care of their families, with benefits and a partial pension, and even an education for suriving children. But, this will never be enough.For those who were working for different employers, there will be different death benefits. Paid by their Companies, and the State Workers compensation Ins fund, usually a private carrier.I doubt that there will be a quick solution to this dilema, of how much and who should pay, each victim;as there is a host of potential defendants, the Government being the biggest one, and it will be several years before there is a final resolution.And, I would predict that the Congress will get involved, and legislate a solution, which will cap, all settlements, and those that don't want to settle will be left to battle it out in the courts, on their own.It's the American way.[This message has been edited by turbo (edited 12-27-2001).][This message has been edited by turbo (edited 12-27-2001).][This message has been edited by turbo (edited 12-27-2001).]