How Valuable Is Life?

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Who is allowed to determine how valuable a person’s life is? The government has been putting a dollar sign value on a person’s life to help in various circumstances. The government has been trying to help relieve families of any overbearing debts their loved ones may have developed over their lifetime by giving them the money they would have made, had they not passed away. However, American’s have not adapted to this concept kindly. The government has good intentions behind sending families money to help pay for the loss of a loved one. However, family members are so emotionally distressed they see it as a negative gesture. Many believe the government is trying to make up for the loss of their loved one by paying them. The government has created various ways to help with the overwhelming costs of losing a loved one, however, most American’s agree there is no amount of money that will lessen the grief and pain the family feels.
People have different opinions about what is important in life depending on their circumstances. Someone might see things differently if one day they were told they have an incurable disease. Many people in America are referred to as workaholics because they put their work before anything else. However, if one day told their days were numbered, someone might go from being a workaholic to being a family man. Instead, they might shift their focus from building business relationships to building closer relationships with the people they love. Most people tend to put their personal success on hold after a harsh diagnosis to make sure the people who love them, know they are loved in return. They begin forgiving people they never thought they could and doing things they have always wanted to. Money has no meaning...

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...s simply trying to help with the costs. However, many believe the government oversteps the line. When 9/11 happened, the government provided financial relief. But many families were ungrateful for the money they received and kept asking for more. This angered many Americans who sent money to help aid those affected. People want to help those dealing with the loss of a loved one because everyone has been there, but people need to appreciate the attempts of others trying to help.

Work Cited
Jobs, Steve. "'You've Got to Find What You Love,' Jobs Says." Commencement Address. Stanford. 14
June 2005. Address.
Jones, Chris. "Roger Ebert: The Essential Man." Esquirecom Article. 16 Feb. 2010. Web. 10
Dec. 2013.
"LIFE Foundation | Human Life Value Calculator." LIFE Foundation. LIFE, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.
Ripley, Amanda. "What Is a Life Worth." Time 11 Feb. 2002. Print.

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