Money doesn’t comfort grief, pain

Many lawmakers have been trying unsuccessfully to cap lawsuits.

To me, suing for money only makes sense for two reasons: To be reimbursed for monetary losses or to punish someone for negligent behavior.

I do not believe that money can comfort grief or pain. Many people in our society have the attitude and belief that money can solve everything, or if they just had more money then they’d be happy. Most countries don’t let you sue for money to compensate non-monetary losses. Why do we? Who started it? Why do we accept it? If money can’t fix everything, then why do we tend to throw money around like it can?

And for lawsuits that do seek to punish a guilty party, does the victim deserve the money? It’s not awarded to compensate any loss, so why? Will money make them happy or comfort them?

I propose that monetary damages only be awarded to compensate monetary losses, or to punish a guilty party (punitive damages). I also propose that 80 percent of punitive damages be given to a charity of the plaintiff’s choice.

Let’s get Initiative 974 on the ballot – read, consider, and sign it so we can debate this issue and vote on it this year.

Kevin Wright

Shoreline