God bless the South Fulton Fire Department

[Asher]

I'm curious if the same people defending the fire department here think the same logic applies equally to hospitals and uninsured people. Should they not provide health care and laugh in their face as they die?

[giblets]

This is a pretty stupid question.

You sign a contract saying you will pay by X date.

So it's like those emergency hospital bills that often don't get paid?

[Asher]

So it's like those emergency hospital bills that often don't get paid?

And like mortgages and car loans that don't get paid.

Are you suggesting that we outlaw the concept of credit?

[giblets]

I'm curious if the same people defending the fire department here think the same logic applies equally to hospitals and uninsured people. Should they not provide health care and laugh in their face as they die?

I don't think anyone thinks the fire department should stand around and watch a house burn if somebody is stuck in there, so that's a pretty stupid example.

[Asher]

I don't think anyone thinks the fire department should stand around and watch a house burn if somebody is stuck in there, so that's a pretty stupid example.

No, it's a perfect example. The difference is you draw the line at human life, like it's a completely separate entity from human livelihood. Other people draw the line differently, perhaps more...humanely.

[Jon Miller]

I'm curious if the same people defending the fire department here think the same logic applies equally to hospitals and uninsured people. Should they not provide health care and laugh in their face as they die?

I think that emergency rooms are not allowed to turn away people by law, and that this does go into what others pay.

However, I do think that it is a bit unethical that americans refused to pay for public health care.

JM

[giblets]

And like mortgages and car loans that don't get paid.

Are you suggesting that we outlaw the concept of credit?

Should people be forced to lend to someone they don't consider creditworthy...?

[giblets]

No, it's a perfect example. The difference is you draw the line at human life, like it's a completely separate entity from human livelihood. Other people draw the line differently, perhaps more...humanely.

I think dying is completely different from having to find a new place to live.

[Asher]

Should people be forced to lend to someone they don't consider creditworthy...?

The difference being the vast majority of the cost of the fire department is fixed, not per-call response. The real loss of a lack of payment from a call is almost insignificant. The point of the fee is to recoup costs where available and act as a deterrent to idiots who don't buy the coverage.

[SlowwHand]

Stop thinking in Canadian terms, Asher. If I find out I have cancer, but have no insurance, in all probability I won't be treated. Unless I go to the V.A. where they'll just remove the cancerous organ and put me out on the street.

[Asher]

I think dying is completely different from having to find a new place to live.

You also think it's just "finding a new place to live". If your house and all of your assets burn down, you kind of have to replace it all. It's not a matter of shrugging your shoulders and moving next door and continuing on the next day.

[Asher]

Stop thinking in humane terms, Asher. If I find out I have cancer, but have no insurance, in all probability I won't be treated. Unless I go to the V.A. where they'll just remove the cancerous organ and put me out on the street.

Fixed.

[DaShi]

I feel that Sloww has never been to the VA.

[giblets]

The difference being the vast majority of the cost of the fire department is fixed, not per-call response. The real loss of a lack of payment from a call is almost insignificant. The point of the fee is to recoup costs where available and act as a deterrent to idiots who don't buy the coverage.

So if you wait for your house to get set on fire before you agree to pay the fire department then you get out of paying for any of its fixed costs? Yeah, that's fair!

Oh, and a one-in-ten-thousand chance of a hit to your credit score is supposed to deter idiots?

[giblets]

You also think it's just "finding a new place to live". If your house and all of your assets burn down, you kind of have to replace it all. It's not a matter of shrugging your shoulders and moving next door and continuing on the next day.

Oh no, there goes my furniture and my Xbox! I must be the most unlucky person in the world right now!!!!!