I just read about this story, and found it to be quite shocking. The house of a family in Obion County, TN caught fire. The owner called the fire department. End of story, right? Nope. The family had failed to pay the FD's annual $75 "fire protection fee". The FD showed up, but merely watched as the house burned to the ground, killing two dogs and a cat trapped inside. The fire fighters refused to put out the fire, even when the homeowner frantically offered to pay. The only reason for the FD's presence was to prevent the properties of paying "customers" from catching fire.
Yet another contribution to the collapse of civilization and common decency, in my opinion.
What do you folks think? Should fire protection be reserved for only those who can afford to pay? Will we soon do the same with police? Schools?
Here's a link to the story...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39516346/ns/us_news-life/