In October 2010, I wrote about a subscription based fire department in Tennessee. At that time, the Cranick family called 911 and the firefighters refused to show up because the Cranick's hadn't paid the $75 subscription fee.

This time, the firefighters showed up. And watched a house burn to the ground.

Vicky Bell told WPSD-TV that she called 911 when her mobile home in Obion County caught fire. Firefighters responded but did not put out the blaze because she does not subscribe to the local fire service.

The subscription is a fee paid to a local town. No fee, no services.

Rural residents who want fire protection can get service from the nearby town of South Fulton, but they must pay a $75-a-year fee. South Fulton Mayor David Crocker said that if the city's firefighters responded to people who didn't pay there would be no incentive for anyone to subscribe.

See? It is all about incentive. If we just help everyone who needs help, then nobody will pay for help. Capitalism at its finest.

Who would create such a policy?

A local newspaper further pressed Mayor Crocker about the city’s policy, which has been in place since 1990. Crocker, a Republican who was elected in 2008 and serves with a county commission where every seat is also filled by a Republican...

Oh....right.