Should Uncle Sam Pay Victim Compensation to 9/11 Families?

Christian Science Monitor ^ | January 04, 2002 | David R. Henderson

[OldFriend]

I would prefer that the money seized from the terrorist organizations be divided among the families of the victims. Taxpayer money is not appropriate. American taxpayers did not commit the crime.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

This was bought and paid for by the Saudis. Collect from them.

[carton253]

Hasn't 1.5 billion dollars been given to all the 9/11 funds. That equals approximately $3,000,000 per victim to be dispersed to their families and survivors...

Money, in no way, takes the place of a loved one...

But, still, that's alot of money.

I know the lawsuits are starting to role in. For some, lawsuits are because of grief. For others, it is because of greed.

Should Uncle Sam pay victim compensation? No. 9/11 was a horrendous tragedy, but, if Uncle Sam should pay for the 9/11 victims, then it will need to pay the Oklahoma City Bombing victims also and so on and so on.

If families lost their breadwinners, then give them their share of the charity giving (that's why we gave). In time, the victims' families will have to learn that life isn't fair, but still it goes on. No one can sit on the sideline with their hands out forever as the eternal victim. They will need to get up and do what the rest of us do. Work for a living. I don't know how long that will take. For them to get their bearings back. But, help should be given for that purpose. That's what happens to everyone who loses a loved one unexpectedly. Even though 9/11 was a tragedy, it doesn't rate above anyone else's tragedy.

[c-five]

I agree with all of that. However, since the Federal Government disarmed passengers and took responsibility for passenger safety, and the Airlines left cockpits undefended, the government and the airlines have some liability for a successful attack by a bunch of guys with box cutters.

[conserv13]

I agree. The government should pay because gross negligence contributed to the disaster.

I know that government money is really taxpayer money, but hey, we elected them!

[Shermy]

Ah, but that's not the purpose of this use of taxpayer money. The purpose is to subsidize and protect American and United Airlines and their insurance companies. The money is not merely aid to victims, but a ruse to get victims to drop insurance claims and potential lawsuits against...not the USA...but against the airlines! A key and highly unusual part of the subsidy is that the takers have to waive all claims against...not the USA...but against the airlines! This deal was sugar-coated as a "bail out" of the airlines that would surely harm the industry, America, wave the flag, etc. Of course, it would have been only two airlines affected, and there's no evidence they couldn't handle the claims, or if not, horrors!, they'd have to declare Chapter 11, just like anyone else (Chrysler and a few others excepted.) The airlines got special deals and perks of more than $15 billion, thanks to our corrupt or just ignorant politicians and the airline lobby (BTW Daschle's wife is a lobbyist for that industry...perhaps she'll get a nice "backend" bonus next year???).

[Reaganwuzthebest]

That's curious, because Oklahoma City was a federal building, yet the victims didn't get this kind of money. I wonder if they'll file or may be they already did a lawsuit for compensation for their pain and suffering?

[is_is]

What about the victims of the OKC bombing???? Charities are for giving....not tax dollars. If i were an OKC victim's relative, i'd be pissed....

[ataDude]

Even though I personally disagree with Federal payments, I think you're missing a critical piece here. The payments I think are tied to the airline bailout bill... by taking this money, a family cannot pursue litigation and cause further damage to the transportation system (in theory).

Just the messenger...

[is_is]

I believe your right....but....is each amount taken by a family somehow deducted from what the airline gets in federal bailout money.....of course not.....once again the taxpayer takes it on the chin for an elite group....

[justin4bush]

I simply do not agree with this. If this is the case, you could pin the liability of every death in America on the US Government.

If we follow your logic, the government is liable for all deaths related to physician malpractice based on the fact that they do not better regulate all of the doctors in the US.

The government should not be giving any further handouts. It seems to me that plenty has been donated already.

Justin

[Mulder]

....since the Federal Government disarmed passengers and took responsibility for passenger safety, and the Airlines left cockpits undefended, the government and the airlines have some liability ....

I totally agree there. But the "settlement" should not be paid by the taxpayers. No one asked my opinion on allowing pilots to carry guns before 9/11, and I should therefore not be held liable.

What I do support is holding individual people accountable. Polticians and bureaucrats who allowed 9/11 to happen due to their stupid policies, should be held accountable both criminally and civilly. They, not I, should foot the bill.

But, of course, this won't happen, and "we the serfs" will wind up paying... as always.

[Area51]

So Because my Relative died in a auto accident on a Interstate Highway someone should be compensated? After all it was a FED. Highway.

Sorry, I aint buying. The US gov. owes the victims and/or relatives NOTHING.

[lawdude]

NO!

[Zoey]

I would prefer that the money seized from the terrorist organizations

I agree. Make the ACLU pay for it.

[elbucko]

"I know the lawsuits are starting to role in. For some, lawsuits are because of grief. For others, it is because of greed."

One must remember that these lawsuits are promoted by the legal profession to generate fees.

After all, how can a lawyer bill a victim for one third of their compensation if not the result of a lawsuit.

And wait until the "Estate Planning Living Trust" Attorneys get their hands on the rest.

Osama Bin Laden is the best thing to happen to lawyers since asbestos.

[DonnerT]

"What You Said."

[carton253]

No, the Oklahoma City victimes were not paid and in fact are very upset that the government was even thinking about compensating the 9/11 families.