[GonzoGOP]

Since when is charity now a service?

Never, note that I was pointing out that the two were mutually exclusive. It cannot be fee for service and charity at the same time. Charity is a virtue, not a service. Again READ the post. Nobody is required to show virtue, but do not expect to be recognized for virtue when none is shown.

The Firemen are acting like hard nosed business men. And they should be given the same level of respect of anyone else who does a job just for the money. You brought up Walmart. Walmart doesn't keep calling for support the Walmart widows and orphans fund charity. But the Fire Department does. With their actions the fire department decided to go to the level of the DMV. I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is people who expect us to treat firefighters as something special when they demand a fee for service up front before providing the service.

What happened to the concept of taxation without representation?

This is even better, no taxes involved, just fee for service. I don't have a problem with the whole thing. It is just that if the fire fighters want to play this game they should expect to be treated like any other business.

It has brought the RINO’s out of their closets.

It also appears to have brought out people who don't read posts before going off on a full blown rant.

[goodwithagun]

The last part wasn’t about your particular post, it was a general comment. That is why I preempted it with what I wrote. Did you not read it? Ultimately, this incident has shown how sensitive the US is to people making hard-nosed business decisions. Are we that used to free handouts that when someone makes a business decision like this people freak out?