WASHINGTON -- There seems to be no bill for which U.S. taxpayers are not responsible. Charity as well as welfare has become a government responsibility.
"Congress is going to rebuild Afghanistan for billions, and they can't take care of 3,200 people," complained Kenneth Foster, husband of one of the Sept. 11 victims, at a public hearing. In his view, and that of many other victims' families, the Sept. 11 Victims' Compensation Fund was being far too stingy, even when handing out multimillion dollar awards.
Under pressure, Kenneth Feinberg, the Fund's "special master," increased average awards by $200,000 to $1.85 million. But then, Feinberg has been attacked for handing out too much money, to wealthier families at least. Some relatives of firefighters, policemen and restaurant workers killed in the attacks have criticized proposed economic compensation for what victims might have earned, which ranges up to $3.8 million.