It’s becoming the troublesome new math for September 11: A plumber, age 24, no dependants, $500,000. A 50 year old investment banker with three kids and a seven figure income, $5 million. According to the cold calculations of government adjusters, it’s that simple. Chances are neither victim’s family will be satisfied, but the feds have to divvy up the 11 billion dollar Relief Fund somehow. Then there are the private charities, and they’re not immune from ethical scrutiny either. Families of policemen could receive more than those of firemen, Americans more than foreigners, and what about the Pentagon victims? Some ethicists argue that excess money should go to those in most dire need, including starving children overseas
Guests:
David Leebron, Dean of The Columbia School of Law
Nancy Anthony, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation
and Paul G. Schervish, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Social Welfare Research Institute at Boston College.