Sure it sucks the guy was a little greedy but it does suck knowing that I have never had a crash or ticket but I still have to pay insurance to pay for OTHER people's mistakes. Different situation but just trying to see the "ill pay when it happens" point of view. Alot of that taxes go to stuff you will never see in your lifetime, but you're stuck paying them anyway.

Our house, in the middle of our street...

no, it's $75 per year: http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Firefighters-watch-as-home-burns-to-the-ground-104052668.html

the commentator is a douche but he isn't completely wrong.  some services are just flat out needed, fire-protection, roads, police, schools.  conservatives love to think using the free-market is the solution to everything but then this is what you get.  

the fire department should have put the fire out.

the $75 should have been a mandatory tax.

... bursts into flames, igniting everyone else... wow, that's neat!

Yep this happened very close to me!

In the case of a fire, if you don't get to it early, then it can jump to your neighbor.  That is what happened here.  Apparently the fire department did come out, after someone who did pay, had their house catch fire.

I do believe in this case, you need to charge a surcharge to the person who is involved, and they be required to pay a few more years out.

This is crazy stuff. Let the punishment fit the crime. If he didn't pay the bill you send him a fine. You don't let his house burn down.

The first thing that popped into my head when I saw this was something a british owner of a hostel in Moscow told me once. He said that once a year he has to bribe the chief of the firestation or they won't put out the fire if there is one. Seems strangely familiar:)

And wow the commentator is tiring to listen to. He does have a point though.

I'm not savvy about laws. But I think it would be illegal to make it a mandatory tax.

They had to watch it burn down... to prevent it from spreading.

Weird that's not just a mandatory part of your taxes.