ORIGINAL: littlecrankshaf
Gerry is right.
Society has moved into an era where people aren't expected to take independent responsibility their own life. About gone are the days when people would provide for themselves the level of protection they felt was needed, whether health, accident, property, liability, income or even life insurance…maybe even a gun. LOL
Most people now would just rather defer those responsibilities to some higher authority. To many people now would rather have a communally based system that everyone must participate in to share responsibilities. The current President got elected understanding that new philosophy. Probably won't work and is against everything American but nevertheless communism is an easy concept to give in to…it seems to make so much sense…well, to some...
Well, I cannot talk for things that happened long time ago. But I can say that most people a) COULD NOT afford to pay for the damage they might cause or b) they might afford it (people w/a couple millions laying around) but might not think it is a good idea (example car insurance, health insurance, etc.) Let's face it you CANNOT take independent responsibility (make good) because 90% of Americans do not have the resources. So stop dreaming along those lines:-)
In our area 2 days ago a car run over a man in his bicycle, killing him, and then he made a run for it. They got him, drunk and I bet w/o insurance. The thing is the insurance helps these people (the victims). 2 years ago I needed a stent put in an artery. A $42,000 expense in 8 yours:-) That's why I buy insurance. Most people cannot provide for their health w/o insurance when a simple one hour procedure like an endoscopy costs thousands of dollars. Besides, the level of protection the "one felt is needed" might not be the level of protection really needed by the people you might hurt.
I have been in business over 2 decades, own my company, and I have some idea of what insurances cost:-( Also, I have some good idea what NOT having it can cost you, after all, this is the MOST litigious society there is.
Gerry