Should you pay to be rescued? ctrlaltdelete: Interesting article on MSN this morning that got me to thinking. There's a call to have these climbers that got lost on Mt. Hood and other thrillseekers like them to pay for their own rescue efforts should they get into trouble. Apparently these rescues are extremely expensive and the taxpayers (in this case the taxpayers of Oregon) bear the cost for the rescue efforts.
I guess I had never really thought about that. I mean, I can see both sides of it. On one hand, no one is forcing these people to climb the mountain and they are aware of the risks. However, stuff happens and even the best prepared people can get into a situation they can't get out of. I'm on the fence with this one.
Thoughts?
Re: Should you pay to be rescued? pluscachange: Absolutely they should pay for it. I see no provision for government to protect us against our own stupid and voluntarily entered into choices. That's absurd.
On the other hand, I'm not a believer in the income tax, so, well, there you go. Fair for both sides of the argument. :)
Re: Should you pay to be rescued? Whirlpool: I have no problem with anyone who puts their own life in danger willingly, it's your life, have at it. My problem with these climbers, who know the risks, is they apparently have no regard for the lives of their potential rescuers. So for their entertainment and thrills they put the lives of several in harms way, very selfish.
Re: Should you pay to be rescued? wizer_now: If the world was run in a reasonable, logical, responsible way, then people would be responsible for their actions.
Unwed woman, non working healthy women who have babies would pay to raise their own children.
People that run other people over with their cars while drunk will pay to support those left behind.
People that spill hot McDonalds coffee on themselves will walk around with scars and not sue McDonalds.
People who get lost on mountains will pay for their own rescues.
Etc.
Re: Should you pay to be rescued? PennyLane: wow good post. I like WP's answer. I do understand both sides.
But if you think about it cops and firefighters do this on a daily basis. Its their paid job. And yet they risk their lives daily to help those who are making mistakes and putting lots of lives at stake. Our tax dollars pay for that as well.
Example
I'm all for the fireman who helps a helpless pet out of a situation as I am the same fireman who risks his life in a burning building because some dumbass fell asleep with a cigarette burning or candle burning.
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