Should Government Have Saved Idiots From Hurricane Irene?

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You had to try and link this to Obama care? You libs. Nice to see you're willing to let people die.

Retnan of IL 4:04AM August 31, 2011

I would say: Yeah, go ahead. Go and save her. We'll worry about that cost later.
But let her splash around a bit first.
Milligan overturned in a kayak and floundering in choppy waters isn't that much different than her pounding away at an opinion blog for USN&WR -- conceptually.
Maybe after a life-threatening experience, Milligan would be more grounded so as not to make such inane dem-shill comparisons between apples and oranges here -- or as previously, to suggest thanking a public-union teacher or government worker for having the weekend off.

dom youngross of OH 6:24PM August 30, 2011

"People who don’t believe in mandatory health insurance, or universal healthcare with government helping to enable it, have a libertarian point. But are they ready to be turned away from the emergency room if they are injured, or left bleeding on the street if they are hit by cars?
...
President Obama declared federal emergencies that will make states and the District of Columbia eligible for disaster aid. And now, people will undoubtedly expect their state and federal governments to help clear the debris and fix damaged infrastructure. Or is the We-Hate-Government crowd expecting the private sector to volunteer to pay for it?"
I have never heard a conservative or libertarian say that government should not provide emergency medical services, or not provide relief after natural disasters.

Owen Glendower of IL 2:28PM August 30, 2011

Actually, a lot of our operational costs for specialized units come from donations by the NYC Police Foundation. Plus, the rescue did not "cost" the City any extra money since that particular crew and boat were scheduled to work that day regardless of whether there was a storm or not. Also, my salary does not go up if I save anybody, so nobody is demanding anything from you. You should do some research first before making such un-informed comments. As I said before, we don't get to pick and choose who we want to help, our job is to try and protect everybody. I feel bad for someone such as yourself, so cold hearted that you insult the very people that voluntarily put their lives on the line for strangers by claiming we did so with "stolen" money. Last time I checked, the United States is a free Country. If you are not happy with the system, stop pointing fingers and look in the mirror instead. Complaining on some blog will not solve the things that you feel are issues. There is plenty you can do such as - run for office, write letters to your local leaders, or leave the Country if you are that unhappy.

Ben Reiver of NY 7:10AM August 30, 2011

People save guys like this because they know they can later demand that *I* pay for it! Next time you go all altruistic, Mr. Ben Reiver, please look up the definition of that word first. If you want to save an idiot kayaker who should have known better, or a bunch of mountain climbers caught by a storm (shocking - who could have foreseen it!?) do it with money that has been donated, not stolen. Otherwise these people can post bonds or buy rescue insurance before they go on their ventures. If it's not their responsibility, it sure as hell isn't mine.

John of NY 1:56AM August 30, 2011

I am one of the officers that was involved in the rescue. I joined the Police Department to help people regardless of their stupidity or the danger involved in doing so. We do not decide who we help and who we don't because my job is to help everyone that needs it. I am very proud of the job we did and while we put ourselves in extreme danger helping these guys, I would not do anything differently if given the chance. I love what I do and would go through hell to help anyone that needs it.

Ben Reiver of NY 11:50PM August 29, 2011

let them die! period. Too much value on human life.

bobby jo of NY 3:29PM August 29, 2011

Our tax dollars paid for the these types of services to be available, but if you are the moron that refuses to listen to the warnings, crosses the barriers, or you are just being stupid, then you should have to pay all the cost associated with saving your dumbazz.
Sure we value life but if you want to live life on the edge, then the cost of that belongs to you, not the rest of the state or the federal government.
Personal Responsibility, learn it & live it!

Larry of CA 2:24PM August 29, 2011

My God Susan! I never would have suspected you, a Progressive Harvard Fellow in the Kennedy School, as a Social Darwinist.
Perhaps there is some hope for you after all.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 12:27PM August 29, 2011

" A better punishment might be to force them to pay for the salaries and equipment needed to save them."
In many, if not most, states, you indeed do get charged for the costs of your rescue.
Note that these eastern coast state governors actually ASKED for federal help early enough to allow Obama to declare a state of emergency and get FEMA going in time - quite unlike what happened with the governor of Louisiana during the buildup to Katrina.

junior of DC 12:03PM August 29, 2011