Libertarian Paradise: Firefighters Let a House Burn Down Over $75 Bucks

From the Majority Report, live M-F 11:30am EST and via daily podcast at http://Majority.FM:
For the second time, firefighters watched a house burn down in Obion County, Tennesse without lifting a finger. Why? The homeowners didn't pay a $75 fee.

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[smpunditz]

@jag10 Hitlery? Seriously? Someone is sorely lacking perspective. The Koch Bros have killed more people that Hillary has.

[RetroTheSkywalker]

Why does everything need to be for profit?

[MerlinYoda]

@Finnbar01 You hit the nail on the head! What Sam failed to note is that there are no private fire-fighting services available as they cannot compete with the local fire department since they are funded by tax dollars and, as such, free market principles get defenestrated.

If anyone is to blame it is the local government for not having the environment which fosters the creation of a private fire-fighting service that could be potentially less expensive than this $75 fee cited.

[Finnbar01]

The fire department is a public service monoply, nothing to do with the free market at all. In fact, this video is a critque of public monopolies and statism and not free market capitalism.

Fail!

[DaveElectric]

If they didn't require them to pay the 75$ that would defeat the purpose of buying insurance. If someone was driving a car without car insurance and we simply expected the car insurance companies to foot the bill anyway that means there would be no such thing as car insurance since no one would have an incentive to pay beforehand.

But for some reason we think applying the same rules to homes is asinine....why?

[jag10]

@waltermh111

Big BiZ is a problem, but they are mere extremities of the beast.

The regulatory organs of these destructive arms reside in government.

But, the true core lies within the central system which some believe to control our government. This has been written about, daily for over 100 years, but you can keep blaming the fist that punches you in the face, if you like.

[akai1sora]

@waltermh111 "they can afford to have different payment services" maybe in some areas, but I haven't seen it in my state. The subscription services I have reviewed are very cheap. I actually surprised at how cheap in regards to air service. That said, you (as do most people) are looking very narrowly at the subject. I appreciate your input though, this discussion has started some discussion of another private combination service in a neighboring area.

[jag10]

@waltermh111

The fire protection fee (of $75) is "optional" for all taxpayers. She chose to live in a "temporary" dwelling that was not taxable and not insurable.

Don't take my word for it, call Union City Municode and call AllState.

The gentleman who lost his home last year chose not to pay for fire insurance.

The real story is: The home was not bank owned, he had a homestead exemption, he had no fire insurance.

His case obviously would have been different if Wells Fargo owned that house.

[waltermh111]

@akai1sora But nothing like a fire department at edge of town

As for subscription services, I have found that for many places its often covered by the HMO or medicare/medicaid, but yes, premium services tend to exist for anything

That would be separate issue as its for wealthier people to get over basic, they can afford to have different payment services

Anyway, if an important service as fire is left to the way of voluntary charges, its fail. Its been done, its always been fail