The truth is that everyone in that community gets to foot the bill. Standing police forces are paid for by each taxpayer.
I think you are aware that there are libertarians that say that each person should be responsible for hiring thir own protection. To me this is equivalent: The people being talked about are American citizens who presumably have or will pay taxes to federal gov't. As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the reasons they do that: to be pulled out of firefights by their gov't.
But when someone acts foolishly, such as being involved in a mountain rescue because they were injured or caught in a storm, normally the rescued person is charged for the cost of that rescue (or at least a portion of it).
Foolishly? Did you see this coming a couple of weeks ago? Can you produce a post where you predicted it? Until about 6 days ago, Lebanon was believed to be again a stable democracy and a civilized nation. They had no reason to think otherwise. The state dep't had issued no warnings against travelling there- -for what little those are worth. I had an occasion where I went in a region the state dep't explicitly claimed was stable and safe and said so o its web site. Upon arriving in the region, I find that gov't forces and rebels are regularly having shoot-outs. I got the H out. But I could have ended up in the same position these people are in- -or worse.
You're also charged for ambulance rides, so god forbid you need to be medevaced by helicopter.
I had occasion recently to find out what the fast bus to the hospital costs. It does take your breath away. OTOH, they are expected to have trained personnel and life-saving equipment and drugs on board. They are bound to be expensive, but there are situations where starting medical care or oxygen a few minutes earlier can make a large difference in outcome.
Exactly where WERE the volunteers wiling to go to Lebanon to get US citizens out?
If I knowingly go into a country reknowned for instability, is the government responsible for my actions without asking for some compensation to cover the cost of my evacuation?
What do you say to the situation I described- -where the gov't is falsely assuring American citizens that an area is safe when in fact it is not. What then?
Listen.. I'll be damn grateful to pay that money, rather than face the alternative of staying there and putting my life at risk unecessarily.. If they can't afford $300 to pay the evacuation fee, they shouldn't be over there in the first place.
I'd agree that, compared to the cost of getting to Lebanon, $300 is that much. I'd also say that thos is part of what we pay taxes for. But should the victims of Katrina be charged for being rescued by federal personnel?
And I can say this from personal experience.. my sister and her husband are currently in Lebanon waiting for evacuation.
Sorry to hear this, Hawk. I hope they get out quickly and with no problems. |
