Making Everyone A Millionaire(Persuasive Speech 9/11/2001)

Scott Andersen

2/28/02

Speech 111

Making Everyone a Millionaire

1: Introduction

1: In a story in the New York Times written by David Barstow. It's estimated that over 1.6 billion dollars have been raised by charity organizations since the attacks on Sept 11th. That money has been raised for victims of that tragic dayÐ'.....But where has all the money gone?

2: I started this speech as a simple exploration into the Red Cross and its Liberty Fund that was established to help victims of the attacks on Sept 11th.

Instead I came across information and countless stories of political blunders, red tape, indecision, and the general chaos that has rocked the charity world since that day.

Not all information I found was bad there were and are some good results coming from those organizations.

In the short time I have I'm going to share the financial problems facing our nation following the attacks.

The causes of these problemsÐ'...Ð'... and hopefully some suggestions for you to follow as you consider donating money.

11. Body

1:There are countless victims from Sept.11th more then just the dead and injured.

A variety of victims from poor too wealthy.

From small businesses to the entire US economy.

Here is a brief summary of the scope of victims.

EXAMPLE: Maxim Gee. Worked house keeping at hotel by Reagan Airport. Lost job. Looks for new jobÐ'....No jobs available.

EXAMPLE: Bernadine Healy, The Red Cross PresidentÐ'.....resigns over the Liberty fund and where money is going.

EXAMPLE: Since Sept 11th the government has officially declared we are in recession. Unstable Stock Market, Rising Unemployment.

In a story from the Washington Post written by Michelle SingletaryÐ'...she quotes Ani Hurwitz.

Who is a senior consultant from the New York Community Trust as she comments about ground zero.

" As awful as the scene and smell is, you can't help but notice all these tiny storefronts. You know there were people working in those stores and they no longer have a job"

2: Also past victims of terrorist attacks are being left out.

An article in the New York Times by Diana B Henriques talks about past victims of terrorist attacks being left out of the new compensation fund.

Oklahoma City Bombing, and the Two American Embassies in Africa

In this article she talks about Edith Bartley whose father and brother were killed in African embassy bombings."

Mrs. Bartley expressed deep sadness for the newly traumatized families of 9/11 but also a growing anger over the vast sums of public relief and private charity now being directed towards those families."

Mrs. Bartley and 10 other families are quietly trying to get 1.5 million for their families.

(Trans) Well I'm sure you are saying to yourself 1.5 million?????

Where did they get those numbers?

Well I will try to explain.

Cause:

1: At the heart of the problem is the compensation Fund

Part of legislation to save the airline industry.

Written up in less then 24 hours

Finalized at 4 a.m. just hours before both the House and Senate passed the measure.

Pressured into law by the Airline industry

Pres. Bush signed Sept 22nd

This measure will cost an estimated 15 billion dollars to taxpayers.

2: This compensation fund will compensate the direct victims of the attacks.

Victims have to waive the right to sue the airlines.

Victims will receive roughly the same amount as a court awardÐ'...which routinely exceed 1 million

The Compensation Fund totally ignores past victims of terrorism and future victims also.

To quote Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri. "Nobody had an idea of the liability we were assuming for the government."

"Are we going to raise 15 billion dollars for every terrorist attack?"

MY OPINION:

This bill is clearly a result of politicians not considering the results of their good intentions.

Where do we stop? And how much do we pay?

Pause

LETS TALK ABOUT MONEY

Besides the 1.5 million for each family from the compensation fund

Twin towers fund set up by GiulianiÐ'.....Over 70 million no clear guidelines.

9 universities offer college scholarships to the children of fallen firemen and policemen

Surviving spouses of police and firefighters will receive a lifetime tax-free pension equal to a victim's last annual salary. Plus health insurance.

State funds; $400 a week for life of spouse

From state crime victim's fund $30,000.