Apartment fire in Burnsville (Zimmerman: section 8, apartment complex, renters)

[lalife]

I just wanted to say that the 1 million dollar donation that is being given to the victims of that horrible fire in Burnsville is a miracle beyond belief. Also, I think that it is an example of how wonderful the Twin Cities are. I, like many other people, complain about the extreme weather here, however there is also the argument that there is much more to a place than 'weather'.

Also, I read the comments on the fire in the Star Tribune yesterday and there are many nasty comments about how the people in that complex didn't have renters insurance or were poor, therefore somehow "deserved" to get burned out of their homes and lose their life possessions. It was comments such as those, that truly show the spiritual darkness that some people live in. It is justice to those types of negative comments that every one of those renters in that apartment building will now be given a $17,500 check + other donations to start a new life. Be it that these people may be middle class, married, single, divorced, poor and or maybe here illegally........They are human beings and deserve to be treated as such.

[Slig]

Anyone who lives in an apartment complex of that size who doesn't get some kind of apartment insurance is absolutely nuts. I can't sympathize with those people.

[lalife]

Originally Posted by Slig

Anyone who lives in an apartment complex of that size who doesn't get some kind of apartment insurance is absolutely nuts. I can't sympathize with those people.

Renters insurance does not assuage the pain of losing personal photos and pets. I highly doubt that these people are all crying about losing some clothes and couches etc.

[Slig]

I doubt that a $1 million donation would either then.

[golfgal]

I agree, not having renter's insurance is irresponsible-it costs about $10-15/month, but to lose everything can't be easy and neither your renter's insurance or a donation is going to help that.

[kuan]

If you ain't got nothing you ain't got nothing to lose - Robert Zimmerman

When me and my wife were first starting out, $15 was a week's groceries. We didn't have renter's insurance, we didn't have health insurance. We had to save money for gas in order to go home for the holidays. I would not have called ourselves irresponsible. We just did not have the money.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by kuan

If you ain't got nothing you ain't got nothing to lose - Robert Zimmerman

When me and my wife were first starting out, $15 was a week's groceries. We didn't have renter's insurance, we didn't have health insurance. We had to save money for gas in order to go home for the holidays. I would not have called ourselves irresponsible. We just did not have the money.

In your situation, I would agree that you were not irresponsible. I grew up poor. I could point to a lot of my parents decisions that were "irresponsible".

Sorry for the cliche, but if the fire victims have a cellphone (one for each family member) or smoke then they would of had the money for the insurance. I still do feel for someone even if they were irresponsible. We all do some "irresponsible" things in our past like drinking with a buzz, eating too much and not working out, smoke, driving up the road without a seat belt on, not studying as hard in school when we should have limiting our income potential, etc. No one is perfect.

We should all accept our own personal responsibilities and not be too quick to judge especially on Christmas. Now if I have to help pay for something by force (taxes) then I will be quick to point out lack of responsibilities.

[kuan]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

No one is perfect.

We should all accept our own personal responsibilities and not be too quick to judge especially on Christmas.

[Binky .357]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

Now if I have to help pay for something by force (taxes) then I will be quick to point out lack of responsibilities.

Absolutely right. For two packs of cigarettes, they could have had their insurance.

For the "unlimited text" option of their cell service plans they could have had that insurance, too.

While I'm greatful no one was hurt, I feel it is not our responsibilty to pay for their negligence.

The ironic thing is (and I'm not 100% sure how many were on Section 8 at these apartments) but any tennants on Section 8 assistance are no longer eligible as soon as they cash that donation check. At that point their income is too high.