Anyone else sick of New York's self-pity party?

self

[jdub]

Is anyone else as sick as I am of NY feeling sorry for itself, and seeking every last dollar of our money for their "grief and suffering"? This morning watching Fox and Friends they were debating about the notion that those that died who were wealthy getting more money than those that didn't.

E.D. opined that she knew some of those people, and if they didn't get more then they would have to take their kids out of private school, sell their expensive homes, etc... Now, I feel for these people too. But they are no diffferent than the families who lose a father/mother everyday. Since 9-11 far more people have died in car accidents alone than died in the WTC attack. People die from work related injuries, and no one is suggesting giving them money out of the Federal budget.

And what REALLY gets my goat was a notice that was running at the bottom of the screen that there is supposedly legilation proposed to exempt the recipients of benefits as a result of the attacks from taxes on their gains. This includes life insurance policies exempt, estate taxes waived, etc... Can someone please explain to me why their benefits are not subject to taxes, but if my wife were to die unexpectedly any benefits I received from insurance or whatever would be? This is just plain rediculous. Clinton, Schumer, and the House reps from NY are pushing the public sympathy envelope as far as can be to get special treatment for New Yorkers. I say its time to suck it up and deal with it like the rest of us do when it happens to us. Just because thousands of people died at one time and place the burden and pain on the individual family is no different from the tens or hundreds of thousands of families who endure similar predicaments every year. Its called life, deal with it.

[jdub]

I urge you to call your Congress Critters and tell them that you are outraged by the suggestion that NY's suffering is greater than that felt by any other citizen, and that if they support such notions as tax exemptions that they should support them for all citizens. To do otherwise is hypocritical.

Sorry for the rant, but it helps me get my blood pressure back down.

[philosofy123]

It is about time somebody brought this subject out in the open. I think NY gathered too much money so far from the fed, and from the rest of us.

[hobblemaster]

I live near Washington DC and it seems to me that the press has forgoten that the Pentagon was also hit. I never hear about helping these families out. When I give to 9-11 charaties I make sure that the money I give them is going to those families involed in the Pentagon crash.
I agree that the prees and the politicians have been doing whinefest over WTC. I think it's time time they stop reminding us of it.

[mgist]

don`t generalize.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

You watch too much TV. Go ahead and write your "congresscritters" about what E.D. said on Fox. They could use a laugh.

[Lokibob]

Thanks for the rant. I thought I was the only person in the U.S. that was sick of NYC. It has been 4 months, now lets move on.

The media has got to learn that the world does not revolve around NYC. They call us in the rest of the county "fly over land" and I hate that.

People around rural Utah have said "lets quit sending food east of the Mississippi until they recognize us a part of the country".

Another rant.

[SamAdams76]

It's just politicians being politicians. Nobody wants to be perceived as being "insensitive" to the needs of the victim's families. Otherwise their political opponents will be sure to make much hay of it come election time. So they are overcompensating. Should we be surprised?

As for New York City having a "self-pity" party, I don't think this is the case at large. I've been to the city several times post 9-11 and things have pretty much gotten back to normal there - for most people.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I believe when they say the "WTC" it also includes the Pentagon and the crash in Penn. The WTC got hit hardest so it is easier to shorten reference to it all by pointing to the WTCs.

I am sure there may be some cases of exploitation, but it should NOT be generalized as in this post.

[TADSLOS]

E.D. opined that she knew some of those people, and if they didn't get more then they would have to take their kids out of private school, sell their expensive homes, etc...

It's the entitlement mentality. Thanks FDR.

Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

[Mamzelle]

Are proceeds from life insurance taxable?

[jdub]

No, what i said about calling your congressman was for the proposed legislation to waive taxes on monies received by the victims' families. My point was that any family that loses a primary earner suffers a loss, why does the fact that many people suffered the same fate at one time make a difference? Same goes for FEMA money. Why if my house burns down and I have no insurance, I'm out of luck. But if my whole neighborhood burns down, the govt will rebuild my house for free? Doesnt this sort of thing bother you?

My comments regarding E.D.'s comments were directed to their self pity since the victims are known to the news people, which somehow makes it more relevant to the rest of us (in their opinion).

[Citizen Soldier]

I recall a number somewhere in teh 6,000 range of people who were injured in the attack. That one is never mentioned it seems. I understand they are alive, but that is a remarkable number of injured. Do they also deserve compensation? What about the rescue workers? They are also potential long term injured too, do they derserve compensation? How about all the people who witnessed it live on TV, they will still have nightmares about it, do they deserve compensation? The list could go on and on..... I agree, they seem like a bunch of greedy people in hindsight with ONLY 1.5 BILLION to divide !!!!!!!!!

[decimon]

As an ex-NYCer of 53 years, I agree with you except for the part about the pols seeking sympathy for New York or New Yorkers. They are out to buy votes with other peoples' money.

[Aggie Mama]

To your spouse, no; to the children, I'm not sure.

[wny]

Go down there. Stand among the ruins. You can still smell the death. Then shut your face.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

No offense to anyone who has had a house burn down, but if an entire area went down, it might affect the area's economy and society on the whole than if one, two or so places were lost. It does not lessen the loss, IMO, but it assists to recover an area, for instance, NYC.

I see your point, and agree there may be some abuse, but not on the whole, IMO

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I live near Washington DC and it seems to me that the press has forgoten that the Pentagon was also hit.

I agree. It's been that way since the 9/11. NYC is the center of NBC, CBS, FNC, NYT, etc., so I have always thought that must have something to do with it - it's personal for them. From the beginning, bedwetting members of the New York press (like Ellis Henican) were crying for their hands to be held first ("Why isn't Mr. President up here NOW!!??"); they tend to be very narcissistic and New York-centric, and I most definitely have noticed it. I love New York, and I have to believe New Yorkers in general are far more self-sustaining and stronger than the members of the press who inhabit the city.

Some of the victim's families are starting to behave in unflattering ways (re: that "$cha ching!" thing), as well.

[OldFriend]

Proceeds from life insurance is NOT taxable. Charity received may be taxable, I am not sure.

[Drew68]

It's the entitlement mentality. Thanks FDR.

Not only that, but some are using tragedy to try and extract lifetime compensations as though they won the lottery. The ones who are doing this really disgust me. Here are some recent posts:

Families Find That Public Considers Demands To Change Terms of a Victims Fund 'Greedy'

Sniping over 9/11 settlement is sign of distasteful 'grief envy'

[OldFriend]

So I guess the smell of money, lots of taxpayer money, will make everything smell better?