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Severe winter weather and a stormy economy could combine to make one of the season’s common killers, carbon monoxide poisoning, even worse this year, public health and safety officials say.
Coast-to-coast snowstorms and power outages, paired with spiking rates of utility shutoffs spurred by record unemployment, are likely to increase the accidental exposures that typically send more than 20,000 people to the emergency room and kill nearly 500 each year.
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to see a big bump in carbon monoxide poisonings this winter,” said Dr. Eric J. Lavonas, associate director of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver. “This economy is the perfect storm.”
Deprived of power, people are firing up gas-powered generators and bringing barbecue grills indoors, forgetting the deadly consequences of the colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can lead to illness, brain damage — and death.
“We see it during power outages and we see it during bad economic times,” said Jim Burns, past president and spokesman for the National Association of State Fire Marshals. “Unfortunately, people in desperate times take all means to stay warm.”
In Redwood City, Calif., eight members of a large family, including several children, were sickened Dec. 17 when they fired up a gasoline-powered generator in the basement of a house where electricity had been disconnected for nonpayment.
“We get a front row seat to a bad economy, honestly,” said Menlo Park Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman, whose crew responded to the incident.
Across the country, the number of terminated utility accounts among the nation’s 95.6 million residential energy customers is skyrocketing as the economy sinks, said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association.
“Where it might be 2 percent to 3 percent used to get shut off, now it’s 7 percent to 8 percent getting getting shut off,” he said. “Families that were middle class last week are not middle class anymore.”
In some places, it’s much worse than that. In Detroit, hard hit by unemployment and bad weather, utility terminations in October were up 9 percent over 2006 levels and 20 percent over 2007 levels, a rise that may be partially attributed to a new recording system, said Len Singer, a spokesman for DTE Energy, the electric and natural gas supplier. That means 14,000 households were cut off from power, out of a customer base of about 3 million.
It’s too early in the season to document a trend in carbon monoxide poisonings, said Lavonas, an emergency room doctor who has focused on the issue. But cases of carbon monoxide poisoning have been on the rise, according to an August report by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The number of patients seen in the nation’s emergency rooms for carbon monoxide poisoning climbed by 36 percent, from 15,200 a year between 2001 and 2003 to 20,636 a year between 2004 and 2006, the report said.
Generators, charcoal grills indoors
Recent anecdotal reports show that families cut off from utilities have resorted to dangerous measures, including bringing generators indoors for power and firing up everything from barbecue grills to portable patio warmers for heat.
In Paramount, Calif., a mother and two teens ages 14 and 18 were overcome by the gas in November when they used a charcoal grill to heat their home. And in Minneapolis, two men and a 13-year-old boy died of carbon monoxide poisoning in October when they used a gas generator in a basement after the power was cut off.
Overall, at least nine incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2008 were directly related to nonpayment of utility bills, according to agency reports.
There’s reason to fear those numbers could rise, health and energy officials said. A survey of more than 1,200 low-income families released this week by Wolfe’s group found that nearly 50 percent couldn’t pay their entire energy bills and nearly 40 percent had received a notice of disconnection. Almost 30 percent were unable to use their main source of heat because the fuel was disconnected for nonpayment or the system was broken and they couldn’t afford to fix it.
In addition, an October survey of 1,000 people by the American Red Cross and the National Fire Prevention Association found that nearly 80 percent were worried about affording winter heating costs — and that at least half expected to use one or more alternative sources of heat, including wood stoves and space heaters. About 7 percent of respondents said they intended to use their ovens to keep kitchens warm.
‘I think we're going to see more of it’
That kind of attitude troubles experts such as Dr. David Dabell, a hyperbaric physician at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. The hospital treated dozens of victims of a 2006 outbreak of carbon monoxide poisonings that sickened more than 300 people and killed eight after a severe windstorm.
Public education campaigns have reduced incidents since then, but this winter may be different, he said.
“It’s always a worry going forward,” said Dabell. “The combination of a poor economy and bad weather is a predisposing factor for carbon monoxide poisoning. I think we’re going to see more of it this year.”
The problem, Dabell explained, is that many people don’t realize how dangerous carbon monoxide can be.
Carbon monoxide harms people by blocking oxygen from getting into the blood. The gas molecules bind more quickly than oxygen to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, effectively smothering vital organs such as the heart and brain. Dabell said he’s seen cases where people come in with hemoglobin saturation of 40 percent carbon monoxide, compared to normal levels of about 2 percent.
The level becomes dangerous at about 25 percent, Dabell said. In mild cases, victims might suffer flu-like symptoms of headache, dizziness and nausea. But the poisoning can quickly lead to unconsciousness, neurological problems, coma, heart and breathing failure — and death.
Nearly three-quarters of carbon monoxide poisonings occur in homes and more than 40 percent occur in winter, according to the CDC.
On average, the nation posts 110 carbon monoxide poisonings a day in December, 96 a day in January and 76 each day in February.
‘A preventable exposure’
“We rank the problem of carbon monoxide poisonings as quite high because it’s a preventable exposure,” said Fuyuen Yip, an epidemiologist with the CDC’s division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects.
But prevention depends on a combination of awareness and action that may elude the population most at risk. Recent immigrants, those who don’t speak English and the desperately poor may not know or fully understand the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, experts said.
Becky Mullins runs an overnight shelter for homeless families in Portland, Ore., operated by the social service agency Human Solutions. She frequently works with families who resort to dangerous sources of heat when they can’t pay their utility bills.
“I’ve seen everything from propane tanks in the house to burning trash,” she said. “I’ve seen extension cords run from other houses. People get pretty MacGyver-ish.”
‘I don't think we understood it could be that bad’
One family, Ryan James, 29, and his partner, Rachel Johnson, 22, warmed their three kids, the youngest of whom is 2 months old, by putting them in a truck with the engine running or using a propane-powered heater indoors.
“I don’t think we understood it could be that bad,” said James, known as R.J., who is looking for work to pay for a safe place to live. “It was a way to keep the house warm.”
In most states, customers who can’t pay their power bills are protected from shutoffs under certain circumstances, such as when the weather is expected to be severe or when someone in the household is disabled, ill or has a life-threatening condition.
Many utilities offer arrangements that include year-round payment plans or deferred billing. DTE Energy in Detroit makes every effort to keep clients connected during winter months and beyond, Singer, the spokesman said.
But the rules can be complicated and most states and utilities frown on repeat nonpayments. For most people, avoiding shutoffs means applying for emergency assistance through social service agencies.
Resolving the problem of the nation’s need for energy assistance is a tall order. Congress doubled allocations for energy help to $5.1 billion, but that still won’t be enough, Wolfe said.
In the meantime, health and safety officials hope small steps will help decrease carbon monoxide injuries and deaths. On Jan. 1, Georgia became the 16th state with laws requiring carbon monoxide detectors. Most recent CDC statistics showed that the detectors were present and activated in less than 18 percent of exposures.
“They call this the silent killer with the audible solution,” Lavonas, of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, said.
But the real push has got to be to raise awareness, so that even hard-to-reach groups understand the danger of the potentially deadly gas, he added.
“We’ve got to make people stop doing things that will kill them and their families,” Lavonas said.
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{"commentId":4682225,"authorDomain":"de4444"}
Great story, but the title is misleading. It is NOT the utility companys fault. Had the one family spent the money for the gas generator on utility bills their plight would have never happened.
{"commentId":4682225,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"de4444"}
- 1 vote
#1 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 9:45 AM EST{"commentId":4683810,"authorDomain":"xtremeartist"}
Dennis, yes it is the utility companies fault. Where I live AEP recieved authorization to bump their utilities costs up. I went from paying 98.00$ a month to over 180.00$ And my Mother.. 75, on a fixed income has to pay that also. Think about this.. I bought a gas powered generator about 3 years ago.. before the economical melt-down. I bought it for emergency purposes. Well there are many intelligent people who may have done that you understand? Now they are in a pinch. They may not be the sharpest tacks in the box, and fire the genertor up to STAY ALIVE.. so again, think about it. Don't blame folk for thinking ahead one way and not another. Did you know that unemployement would raise almost a full percent in a month's time.. or about te fincial crap that was about to hit the fan. You should have let us know buddy... shame on you!
{"commentId":4683810,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"xtremeartist"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":4684083,"authorDomain":"gozounlimited"}
Not acceptable.....Utility companies are not doing enough to assist low income residents. Federal, State, and local government need to step in and stop the genocide. When utilities are shut off....a rep from the utility company should physically make contact with the customer to assess payment plans or provide affordable low income assistance. We can't have utilities making billions of dollars in profit while our vulnerable citizens succumb to death or injury.
{"commentId":4684083,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"gozounlimited"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":4684743,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
i agree totally!
And with Gas prices back on the rise, things are only gonna get harder for EVERYONE, unless your a High powered CEO working for a bank or a car company, then of course you will get a bail out.
Which makes me think... dang, the rich steal from the poor, go bankrupt, then TAKE by force what little we have so they can pay for their $435,000.00 spa vacations, yet people like this struggle...
I say we march on the white house floor, and demand our bailout, when they refuse, we burn the sucker down and take it by force....
But of course, we americans are too lazy for a revolution, we are too busy voting for American Idol, and focusing on what dress Michelle Obama is gonna ware at the inaug.
{"commentId":4684743,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4686704,"authorDomain":"westerngents"}
David I agree. Even the ILLEGALS became several million strong through La Raza and groups like that, marched on Wa. DC and now they have more rights than most of us who have been here for generations...
WAKE THE FU-K UP PEOPLE
{"commentId":4686704,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"westerngents"}
{"commentId":4686782,"authorDomain":"midwest123"}
Guess you haven't been downsized yet! If you had ever you would know that people that once "had" money no longer do and when they "had" money they were capable of buying things such as generators and other big ticket items. Maybe they borrowed it from a neighbor? When you get downsized and your unemployment runs out, then lets hear from you. Try being downsized with 3 people in the family that need medicine to live every day, let alone pay their bills. Rent alone is "skyhigh" because home prices inflated it and so not only are people losing their homes but they have to live with other people or on the streets because rent is too high. The gas companies only rose their prices over the last two years because fuel for your car went up. What does gas for heating have to do with gas for your car? They are two different types of gas... They did it because they could and no one could stop them. they have no competition. Just like cable. Do you get choices when you sign up for cable? Gas? Electric? Now at least we have options with telephones. The government didn't get involved when either type of gas went up and that hurt the market just as bad, if not worse than the housing market. You cannot transport without gasoline. Food, clothing, sheetmetal... ANYTHING.
When you get downsized and cannot find a job or only can find a job making $8.00 an hour, then lets hear from you again...
{"commentId":4686782,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"midwest123"}
{"commentId":4686964,"authorDomain":"celiaarm"}
There are two things this story is missing. Carbon Monoxide detectors can prevent death and are no more expensive now that fire detectors. all rental property should be required to have them installed. And second, faulty fuel burning water heaters, space heaters and stoves can kill you just as fast as pulling an uneducated stunt, like putting a generator in the basement.
Our daughter died from Carbon Monoxide poisoning in 1995. Our baby sitter left the car running in the garage, which was below our daughters bedroom. A detector would have saved her life.
Education is very important. My husband and I joined with First Alert and donated thousands of CO Detectors to low income people in our city. Those detectors have saved many lives over the years. The city fire department now spreads the word during CO awareness month (September) which is another good source of education to school age children.
Utility Companies should be responsible for educating their customers to the dangers of alternate heating sources. They should not be allow to cut off power/gas to people in winter period.
{"commentId":4686964,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"celiaarm"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":4688727,"authorDomain":"hogtie-2"}
CCArm
I'm sorry about your child, and I hope your baby-sitter..................well, isn't scarred for life.
Your story is a stark reminder to the dangers of CM.
It is literally amazing how sneaky that gas is.
Without getting into specifics, I too nearly fell prey to the effects, trying to stay cool after a hurricane.
Ah screw it..........I had my generator outside on the deck, with the glass sliding door ajar just enough to get the extension cord through it.
I unknowingly had the exhaust pointing right at that small opening.
Meanwhile, all people and pets were holed up in my room, with the door shut.
Me in the bed, and friend and brother on the floor.(pets on the bed of course)
My head was right next to the little wall unit cooling the room.
That gas filled the house, snuck under my bedroom door, and was drawn right into the AC unit and back out again all night. I woke in the middle of the night with a splitting headache but didn't think anything of it because noone else was complaining.
That's because they were on the floor!
Sneaky sneaky stuff!
Most people have this silly notion that they'll be able to detect it on their own.
I'm here to tell those people....................NNNNNNNAAAHHH!!!
{"commentId":4688727,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"hogtie-2"}
{"commentId":4689612,"authorDomain":"wilberta"}
CCArm
So sorry to here about your daughter. I believe that Carbon Monoxide detectors should be given out to anyone in need.
Like you said education is so important, however children should not suffer if the parents don't know.
{"commentId":4689612,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"wilberta"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4691009,"authorDomain":"captain-marvelous"}
Darwin at work. I keep hearing the liberals talk about over population, so what is the problem here, population control as requested.
Don't blame the utility company for your stupidity or high prices. Utility companies are more than willing to provide assistance to low income homes, but YOU have to ask, don't expect them to come to your door and save your lazy butt, pick up the phone or take a bus to their offices.
C'mon people, a little common sense and personal responsibility, that's some change we can use and believe in.
{"commentId":4691009,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"captain-marvelous"}
{"commentId":4691489,"authorDomain":"celiaarm"}
You know Captain Marvelous, I am not a name caller and I try really hard to be civil, but you sir are a f*cking moron.
{"commentId":4691489,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"celiaarm"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":4692122,"authorDomain":"cnb48083"}
captain marvelous,
I tend not to agree with you dte in michigan is not very helpful. I am on disability I use oxygen 24/7, a bi-pap machine when I go to sleep, and a nebulizer (breathing treatments) every 4to 6 hours around the clock. and I sleep on a hospital bed all of which use electric. they did help and put me on winter protection plans 3 times but my problem was not paying the amount but the fact that the payment was always due a day before my money was in the bank from my social security. I told them my money was not available till the 3rd of every month but because i was a day late they took me off the plan each time. now they wont put me on a protection plan. they give me a payment plan. 6 equal payments of past due and the total of whatever the month bill is. this I cant afford it is over 100 per month. so don't say they are happy to help because they are not. the are getting ready to shut me off. that will very well kill me. no oxygen, bi-pap, breathing treatments.
{"commentId":4692122,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"cnb48083"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4692137,"authorDomain":"cnb48083"}
captain marvelous,
I tend not to agree with you dte in michigan is not very helpful. I am on disability I use oxygen 24/7, a bi-pap machine when I go to sleep, and a nebulizer (breathing treatments) every 4to 6 hours around the clock. and I sleep on a hospital bed all of which use electric. they did help and put me on winter protection plans 3 times but my problem was not paying the amount but the fact that the payment was always due a day before my money was in the bank from my social security. I told them my money was not available till the 3rd of every month but because i was a day late they took me off the plan each time. now they wont put me on a protection plan. they give me a payment plan. 6 equal payments of past due and the total of whatever the month bill is. this I cant afford it is over 100 per month. so don't say they are happy to help because they are not. the are getting ready to shut me off. that will very well kill me. no oxygen, bi-pap, breathing treatments.
{"commentId":4692137,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"cnb48083"}
{"commentId":4682608,"authorDomain":"wrdwyz"}
Acute CO poisoning is comparatively well known in the US, but it is also possible to have chronic, low-level exposure which has symptoms similar to depression, SAD, menopausal adjustment, aging, hypothyroidism, etc. It is not easily recognized and poorly treated even when diagnosed by blood test. It can also be detected with breathalyzers and can be treated with portable oxygen for home use. The best CO detectors may not sound an alarm at levels that still affect human health. I had this experience in a manufactured home with a 15-year-old natural gas furnace. That sort of equipment should be professionally checked.
{"commentId":4682608,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"wrdwyz"}
- 1 vote
#2 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 10:12 AM EST{"commentId":4683698,"authorDomain":"xtremeartist"}
If somebody can't afford their heating/electric bills.. do you honestly believe that same person is going to pay to have some heater professionally checked. I guess you have a steady well paying job... ask the guy using the space heater if he does...
{"commentId":4683698,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"xtremeartist"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4690811,"authorDomain":"MyOwnConclusions"}
Some utility companies will come out and check your appliances for free. Pacific Gas and Electric went to my in-laws in the fall to certify all of their appliances.
{"commentId":4690811,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"MyOwnConclusions"}
{"commentId":4691040,"authorDomain":"captain-marvelous"}
Utility companies will also provide assistance to low income families.
People need to take on some personal responsibility and not wait for the government to come and bail their butts out.
{"commentId":4691040,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"captain-marvelous"}
{"commentId":4683313,"authorDomain":"kathya40"}
WHY do these people have to do without power in a county as "RICH" as the "PUBLIC UTILITIES" are (the word public should be removed, they do not service the public in any good way, they service there share holders).
MAKES ME SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
{"commentId":4683313,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"kathya40"}
- 2 votes
#3 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:00 AM EST{"commentId":4684333,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4684569,"authorDomain":"nry57"}
Turn out the lights ...yeah, no light on this subject. You sound like the kind of rugged individualist that, unable to pay, would just cut off their own arm and set it ablaze for heat. Not everyone is as brave as you - sorry your sick.
{"commentId":4684569,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"nry57"}
{"commentId":4686226,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4687756,"authorDomain":"cdesignz2k"}
TOTL
You are a joke and embarrassment to humanity.
Base animal instinct is to keep the species alive...the rogue animal only worries about itself, and will sacrifice even its own young to survive...I just hope you have not married nor had kids...
Can't say much more than that...
{"commentId":4687756,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"cdesignz2k"}
{"commentId":4683391,"authorDomain":"jacklauer8590"}
Who, exactly, are these experts? I don;t want to sound like Ruch Limbaugh here, but c'mon - are we tracking these statistics and who will we blame for this? The gas company? The car companies? President Bush?
How about people that use gas heater unwisely?
{"commentId":4683391,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"jacklauer8590"}
#4 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:06 AM EST{"commentId":4683659,"authorDomain":"xtremeartist"}
Think about this.. people are getting ill and even dying in some cases because they can't pay some of the insane rates of the utility companies? So... America will just watch them suffer.. because they are lower income families.. even some middle class families are struggling to get by... that's just parr for the corse I guess. And hey Jack.. not every one has a PH.D in safety you know. Are these people to blame because they couldn't get an education because the costs are high and getting higher. All the meanwhile they are trying to FEED their families? Christ man, do you have absolutely no compassion? It's probably mostly older folk on fixed incomes and unemployed/laid-off families that are suffering. I live in a town with over 10% unemployement and the average education level is 7th grade. But according to you, I suppose these people deserve what they get? Because they may try to take a shortcut to save money to EAT.. they may end up killing themselves from gas-poisoning... Well... hope you have a 401k that's strong and steady bucko.. you may face the same situation some time down the road.. and think twice before you make a stupid comment about how smart people are before you fully understand the situation.
{"commentId":4683659,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"xtremeartist"}
- 2 votes
#5 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:22 AM EST{"commentId":4684409,"authorDomain":"agss404"}
"..they couldn't get an education because the costs are high and getting higher..."
It takes a BS degree to read a newspaper or watch the news? Warnings about the dangers of temporary heating methods are presented ad nauseam.
{"commentId":4684409,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"agss404"}
{"commentId":4686944,"authorDomain":"midwest123"}
Spike,
They could just freeze to death, right? I am on board with WM Smith.
{"commentId":4686944,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"midwest123"}
{"commentId":4689398,"authorDomain":"katnana"}
Spike, these are poor people who have no utilities. Do you think they watch TV or even buy newspapers? Good lord, you are an insuffereable snob. And as far as education, it is very spotty at best. One of these days when someone in your neighborhood or family dies from neglect, because you were too busy being superior, remember your comments.
{"commentId":4689398,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"katnana"}
{"commentId":4683727,"authorDomain":"CCO"}
Utility companies, the Health Care Industry and Big Oil: The Holy Trinity of Vampirism.
{"commentId":4683727,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"CCO"}
- 1 vote
#6 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:26 AM EST{"commentId":4683848,"authorDomain":"xtremeartist"}
Amen brother... They beleive life was created to serve them. The Holy grail is now nothing more than profit and the milk of human kindness has evaporated.
{"commentId":4683848,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"xtremeartist"}
{"commentId":4686383,"authorDomain":"wilberta"}
I wonder what people will say when some "Big Business Company" figures out a way to charge Americans for the "AIR" they breathe.
Some of the people here are obviously forgetting that you have to "pay to put "air" into your tires.
Is that not taking "free market" and "capitalism" overboard?
So, why should they care about human life? Yet some of these same people are "upset" over abortions!......Life is life should children "suffer" over Parent's Ignorance or inability to work to pay High utility cost?
{"commentId":4686383,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"wilberta"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":4686641,"authorDomain":"CCO"}
We will pay for our air in the Carbon "cap and trade".
{"commentId":4686641,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"CCO"}
{"commentId":4683883,"authorDomain":"moegreene72"}
I remember a few years ago hearing about a Vietnamese couple living in Minnesota firing up a charcoal grill to stay warm. So it usually is ignorance to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
{"commentId":4683883,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"moegreene72"}
#7 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:36 AM EST{"commentId":4684061,"authorDomain":"moegreene72"}
{"commentId":4684111,"authorDomain":"gozounlimited"}
Well folks...we know how to punish criminal corporations don't we....
{"commentId":4684111,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"gozounlimited"}
#9 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:50 AM EST{"commentId":4686806,"authorDomain":"westerngents"}
yEAH, give them a bailout!!!!
{"commentId":4686806,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"westerngents"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4684118,"authorDomain":"wyoske-1"}
INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We give the bankers billions which they have pissed away on and we cant pay peoples electric or gas bills????????????? You have got to be kidding me! What the heck is going on in this country?
{"commentId":4684118,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"wyoske-1"}
- 1 vote
#10 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:50 AM EST{"commentId":4684152,"authorDomain":"larryallen"}
Amen
{"commentId":4684152,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"larryallen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4684855,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
exactely what I said a few post ago...
I agree 100%
{"commentId":4684855,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
{"commentId":4684243,"authorDomain":"d-herald"}
The problem is the de-regulation of the energy sector. This has allowed Utilities to charge whatever they want for their power generation. When someone recieves a bill and the delivery fee costs outweigh the actual amount of Gas & Electricity used, that is ridiculous. I realize the Power companies own and maintain their pipelines and poles but come on, it isn't like they are a new industry. The gas pipelines and poles have allready been installed, most at pre1975 prices of construction. Why are we paying such high tariffs to a US company. No person in this country should have their power turned off in the winter for lack of payment, especially if there are circumstances. It is always about the Greed of this country. The energy sector should be setting up programs with their vast profits to fund a program to assist in helping poorer folks with payment assistance. The cost of producing Gas & Electric has not changed all that much in the past few decades, ther only thing that has risen 1000% is the cost we pay for it to be delivered. These guys should stop being so informal and just put on their Ski masks because they are truly robbing us all blind.
{"commentId":4684243,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"d-herald"}
- 3 votes
#11 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:57 AM EST{"commentId":4684403,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4684721,"authorDomain":"nry57"}
No one has a gun to anybody's head ...no, but it seems there's a pesky habit called survival and a need to prevent suffering in your children that seems to be the monkey on the back of many who have lost their ability to afford the basics.
{"commentId":4684721,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"nry57"}
{"commentId":4684956,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
turn out the lights...
your heartless one liners make me laugh...
Dont come out with some bullcrap one liner that says. ... Go to school and get an education, get a better job....
I am a staffing specialist, and I cant tell you HOW MANY people I speak to with Masters, and bachelors, andEx lawyers, and yes even ex JUDGES who can't find work... It is really a crisis... when a person spends upteen dollars to get an education and can't find work... then some ying yang like you makes these one liner comments... it is just heartless and sad....
what are you gonna say next.... if a person had to pay for air but can't aford it, are you gonna make a stupid comment and say.. well you dont need to buy air????
You dont need to buy food either, but if you don't eat YOU DIE...
what the hell is a FAMILY to do, live in the dark, go off in the cold and just die? I bet you'd like that... it would mean just more money for you to make.
Maybe you need to turn on the lights.
When people cant afford the BASIC NECCESSITIES of life, then there is a PROBLEM.
Get that through your thick, uncompassionate skull! These companies are making money hand over fist... same with the company I am using... my bill was $83.00 and they added a $45.00 surcharge!!!!!
What the hell??? I asked her what the surcharge was for andy they couldn't even give me a straight answer!!!! Again they are making money hand over fist.... and people are struggling... LOTS of people are struggling....
Pathetic!
Really Pathetic
{"commentId":4684956,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":4685664,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4685919,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
What your saying is, if someone is wronged, then just say, oh well.. life is not fair. Too bad for you!
Life may not be fair...
but do we need to opress others and stuff our noses at those in need and say...
"who gives a crap about you as long as I am ok?"
No one says life was fair.... you miss the point totally..
Totally mis the point
{"commentId":4685919,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
{"commentId":4685968,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4686334,"authorDomain":"agss404"}
"..I am a staffing specialist, and I cant tell you HOW MANY people I speak to with Masters, and bachelors, andEx lawyers, and yes even ex JUDGES who can't find work..."
How many? I doubt that they want to work.
Brush up on your composition. Any cover letter that you write for a client would not get past the personnel secretary.
{"commentId":4686334,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"agss404"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4718327,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
The partry's over
I know that I am breaking the rules saying this
BUT YOUR AN ASS HOLE
let me tell yo something... I have never... not now, not in the past, not in the future EVER expected someone to take care of me...
My father went to prision when I was 14 years old...
I had no father
My mom basicaly work 2 jobs to rais three kids and got NO HELP WHAT SO EVER
no food stamps
no welfare
NO CHILD SUPPORT
NOTHING
wanna know who paid for college???????
ME
no help
nada
I did it my self
I pay my rent
I fight to stay out of debt
I dont
have a huge house or a large mortage...
NADA
I refuse to have expensive cable
I REFUSE to internet acces at my house when I can go to the public library for free...
I don't need or want a hand out
nor do I expect to be taken care of.....
ANd I would take the SHIRT off my back to help someone if they were in need....
You are an ASS
Pure
Straight and simple
YOUR an ass your wife and kids are being led by an ass and you are judgemental at best
HOW DARE YOU FU... JUDGE ME AND SAY WHAT I EXPECT... you know NOTHING ABOUT ME
no
you are an ASS
A
S
S
and a double hole
{"commentId":4718327,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":4795559,"authorDomain":"thomas-utt"}
Well said David!!!
{"commentId":4795559,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"thomas-utt"}
{"commentId":4684370,"authorDomain":"jaguarsky"}
Death by ignorance, in this case, is merely a symptom of what has become the Holy Grail in the US; the quest for the almighty dollar. The entire world is in the same boat, but it is just more evident in this country because of the grandstanding politicos who shout about America's wealth and greatness at every opportunity. Why should this be happening?
Here's a "for instance". I had to pay $500 to our local electric co-op to receive service. Not just me, most everyone has to pay this "deposit", even my 82 yr old Pop, who is dying from renal failure and has been living in the same house for 20+ years, had to cough it up when his wife died. The service had been in her name. But here's the rub. This company has $500 of my money, but if I go late on my payment by more than 10 days, even if it is only for a small amount, say from the balance of a partial payment, I get cut off. Complain, I hear you say? Can't be done. Does no good. Call the PUC. Doesn't apply. Where we live, the co-op is answerable only to itself.
This is one of the reasons why my blood pressure goes up every single time I hear the "GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD" speech.
{"commentId":4684370,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"jaguarsky"}
- 1 vote
#12 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 12:03 PM EST{"commentId":4795514,"authorDomain":"thomas-utt"}
Amen!
{"commentId":4795514,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"thomas-utt"}
{"commentId":4684513,"authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
trying to stay warm can be very difficult, when one cannot afford utilities. I have some suggestions that may help somewhat. dress in layers of clothes,preferably fleece. wear 2/3 pairs of socks, sleep with them on. sleep in clothes if possible, buy wool blankets. they are very itchy, make it your top blanket. so it does not come in contact with skin ok. I survived the cold, its not easy. the trick is to retain body heat. as for utilitiy companies, use minimal heat, just enough to stay warm. and I agree, when your poor, unemployed, with little to no means. nobody cares, it is a very, very cruel ugly society we live in. they gave 100,000 Iraqis, $300. a month-$3,600 a yr. now they expect poor americans with a one time stimulus of $500.00 to $1,000. a yr. and they think stimulus,will turn the economy around. you know as well as I do. Americans need jobs, corporations gave them to so called, 3rd world countries. Its a filthy dirty shame,,more was spent in Iraq than katrinia..............................
{"commentId":4684513,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
- 4 votes
#13 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 12:10 PM EST{"commentId":4685075,"authorDomain":"corbon400"}
There is a shift coming. History dictates that when all the wealth in a particular region is vacuumed up by an aristocracy, then a shift in the function of the society causes an upheaval and a subsequent redistribution of wealth. Happened in Egypt, happened in Rome, happened in France, happened here. Reason suggests it will happen again.
Don't want to be on the wrong side when it does.
{"commentId":4685075,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"corbon400"}
- 1 vote
#14 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 12:38 PM EST{"commentId":4685230,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
r u saying that the greedy will finally get what is coming to them?
Don't believe it... there is no justice in this world. The greedy get more greedy and they continue to oppress the poor....
It will NEVER end.
{"commentId":4685230,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
{"commentId":4687507,"authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
david, you're right, it will never end. thats no hope for our poor. we support/ back up wealth. just take a very look good at Israel, wealthy to the hilt. the very super wealthy don't give a damn about anyone. and our gov't protects them, even lets them steal etc. money buys justice, you know it. OJ was a classic example and so many others. the police and military protects them and thats the gods truth..wall st was brought down buy the wealthy stealing from each other. I say perservere, be strong physically and mentally because give them a chance. they'll lead you by the nose. they see the poor/ common people as dirty dish rags, idiots without a brain. they have no idea, what the poor/ common man/ woman goes through to survive........
{"commentId":4687507,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
{"commentId":4729088,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
Spike...
First off let me tell you that I as a staffing specialist DO NOT write the resumes, it is not my job nor is it my job to write cover letters.... No that is not what we do here...
And as far as the ones with educations not wanting to work...
You are a FOOL. I get hundreds of phone calls a month from these people saying that they are willing to scrub FLOORS! But the unemployment in our town is very high, and THERE IS NO WORK!! Hell, we have places like Burgerking laying people off... and we have stores closing down like crazy! So before you cast judgement... why don't you look at it from a different angle.
Maybe you should brush up on you compassion.
{"commentId":4729088,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
{"commentId":4685259,"authorDomain":"kknight-1"}
All public utilities should not be able to cut people off PEOPLE COME BEFORE PROFITS. All deaths from cold or heat or from trying to stay warm all are the fault of the public utilities who are all thieves and liars. All utility companies are guarantied a return on their investment on capital improvements. That is a fancy way of saying that the more money these selfish thieves spend,the more money they can steal from all of us. Nationalize all of the thieves and make utility rates affordable to all and make cut-offs illegal.
{"commentId":4685259,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"kknight-1"}
- 1 vote
#15 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 12:47 PM EST{"commentId":4685786,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4686106,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
damn it turn out the lights,
hey dip stick, NO ONE IS ASKING THEM TO DO IT FOR FREE....
you miss the damn point...
cant you write more than just one sentence????
We are a very rich nation and there is no need to make massive amounts of profits off of the backs of people that are trying very hard to make it...\
What about a payment plan for people on fixed incomes.... man I hope to God one day you live one a fixed income then some uncompassionat person says to you... oh well life is not fair... if you got no money to pay your heating bill then... just die. too bad so sad!
Years ago, people came before profits and neighbors helped neighbors and NO ONE went hungry…
You are just the typical ME FIRST, ALL FOR ME ME ME ME ME ME ME! Benefit me, make sure I take care of me… and if you have not enough money… then oh well just die and give it to ME.
We have forgotten about community…. And attitudes like yours just adds fuel to the fire!
Now lets see if you have the intelligence to respond with more than just one sentence.
Probably not…
{"commentId":4686106,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":4686323,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4686211,"authorDomain":"pleasant48"}
I've never commented on these boards before but having experienced my electric being cut off I had to comment this time. I won't go into details about my termination but I do have these 2 things to say. First, utilities should never be allowed to terminate service especially if there is no face-to-face interaction. Second, seeing as though we have only one electric company to provide service, I think this particular utility should be split up into many smaller parts for the sake of competition and lower rates.
{"commentId":4686211,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"pleasant48"}
- 1 vote
#16 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 1:30 PM EST{"commentId":4686371,"authorDomain":"mw-joe"}
The US has more natural gas than any other fuel and yet we allow it to be deregulated and be at the mercy of a few Greedy fat cats just like health care. The US will look like Russia in 1998 if we don't wake up !!
{"commentId":4686371,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"mw-joe"}
- 2 votes
#17 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 1:37 PM EST{"commentId":4686459,"authorDomain":"jjsjedidiah"}
no were in the constitution does it say we as americans have the right to electricity, heating, or water.
Did anyone notice that the writer kept reffering to "cahrcoal" grill. did anyone not mention to her that a charcoal grill does not use gas? a gas grill uses gas, but not a charcoal girll. genius writing.
If you are bringing your grill inside to heat the home, then you are a moron and I hope for everyones safety and future generations that you are taken out of the gene pool quickly.
If you cant afford the electric or gas bill for heat, then buy fire wood and burn it in your fire place. If you dont have a fire place, then i guess you are SOL.
I bet you that many of you whining about this and how the bills are getting so high, havent turned off your cable or satelite tv service. i bet you still have your cell phones. i bet you still go out to eat or go to the movies. all the things that are simple luxuries compared to a third world country have become rights to you and you whine about not having heat.
Why should I have to pay for someone else? so the utility companies should now follow suit with the government and let the rich pay for the poor?
maybe you watched the disney version of robin hood a few too many times.
{"commentId":4686459,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"jjsjedidiah"}
- 3 votes
#18 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 1:41 PM EST{"commentId":4686481,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4687508,"authorDomain":"readermystery43"}
This is a true story. I was employed by a church and the church would sometimes help out people with overdue utility bills. I was talking to a young woman over the phone and while we were on the phone she received another call. She had call waiting. HMMM. Then, when she returned to our telephone conversation, she explained to me that she couldn't pay her bill because she had had to pay her cable bill (in excess of $100). Is there something wrong with this picture? Priorities? I am all for helping those who are willing to help themselves, but you don't pay for call waiting and you don't have cable TV if you are unable to pay your utility bill. Priorities. I don't think it is a problem to choose between call waiting and cable TV in order to pay your utilities. I do think it is a problem when it is a choice between medicine and food and utilities. Those are the people who really need help.
{"commentId":4687508,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"readermystery43"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":4687558,"authorDomain":"gattes12"}
Interesting jjs, turn out the lights
There were many people from the Detroit, Lansing, and Flint areas sharing your same point of view staring down their noses at everyone else.
Look at them now.
People who are using grills to heat their homes probably don't have the luxuries you speak of either
I know many, many of them. Your analysis is from your own personal gripe and I'm sure put in their situation, you wouldn't be thinking about how stupid it might be to try heating with a grill. Then again, we had a moron billionare just off himself due to his "tough times". (LMAO!!!)
Some of these "normal" people you see here are the same ones screaming for the most help and entitlements when $hit hits the fan. I have to laugh (yes laugh) at them because they are steadily eating away at that precious 401K and children's college fund.
I laugh because they're going to have to rely on you guessed it, SOCIAL SECURITY (something you and I pay for) in their old age.
Talk about coming full circle.
There are people who had been poor long before this crisis started and I can assure you they aren't sitting here blogging with the rest of us.
In closing I have to ask, did those who lost everything (including the ability to heat/cool the homes they probably don't have anymore) to hurricane Katrina not plan ahead enough?
I guess the government should have left them all to die.
And we call that "normal".
{"commentId":4687558,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"gattes12"}
{"commentId":4687616,"authorDomain":"nry57"}
It does say in the Constitution, "promote the (general welfare)" and in the United States Declaration of Independence, it states "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are (Life), Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. I do think that the right to Life and general welfare is covered by these two lines in these two documents and I think that they might cover the right to survival which basic utilities offer.
{"commentId":4687616,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"nry57"}
{"commentId":4687710,"authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
sh#$ happens !! aardvark, is a shelled rat. people do get strapped at times, beyond their control. we are talking about beyond control circumstances, not freebie aliens...
{"commentId":4687710,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
{"commentId":4717528,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
My cable is off, I haven't gone to the movies since I dont know when
I have cut ALL the luxuries out of my life and only rely on the neccessities...
Not everyone lives like you say
{"commentId":4717528,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
{"commentId":4686820,"authorDomain":"mw-joe"}
Hang on to your guns, tough times are coming down the road because GREED is ruling the world !!
{"commentId":4686820,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"mw-joe"}
- 1 vote
#19 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 1:58 PM EST{"commentId":4687195,"authorDomain":"cdesignz2k"}
A little over 200 years ago, there was this little country that was being oppressed and taxed to death, while the "ruling class" was rolling in riches....ignoring the people it was supposed to govern and serve...the little countries people rebelled, created a new country and governing body....
The people were fed up with the way things were, wanted things to be better for themselves and their kids...
over 200years later...the governing body has forgotten the past as is catering only to the wealthy, ignoring the majority of the people...
Is it time to abolish the existing system, remove the wealthy people from power, and return the country to its founding roots...yes it is...but the greedy puppets in DC made that illegal, by altering the Constitution...the Constitution that had a clause to allow abolishing the existing government in favor of a system "by the people, for the people" knowing that the wealthy and corrupt could repeat history and thus lose the "will of the people" that this country was founded on.
Wake up sheeple, you are following the shepherds to the slaughter house.
{"commentId":4687195,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"cdesignz2k"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4687804,"authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
EXACTLY !! absolutely, the gods truth. no compassion, no where.
{"commentId":4687804,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
{"commentId":4686955,"authorDomain":"charles-l-burns"}
T.O.T.L probably still lives at home with his parents.
{"commentId":4686955,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"charles-l-burns"}
#20 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 2:04 PM EST{"commentId":4687075,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4687577,"authorDomain":"susanyreeves"}
because to talk like your living in your parents basement TOTL.
{"commentId":4687577,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"susanyreeves"}
{"commentId":4687014,"authorDomain":"CHOAS"}
I came home from work one day and had no electric. There was a note on the door that said service was terminated due to no payment. I just didn't understand, my payments are auto-withdrawl so I knew it had been paid. After reading it more carefully they turned off the wrong house. It was for my elderly neighbors. The Mrs. had been in the hosp and the Mr. overlooked the bill. After yelling at the electric company for turning off my electric. I paid my neighbors electric for him so he wouldn't have a dark house to come home to. I'm glad I did that for him because the Mrs. came home the next day. There's nothing wrong with helping each other out once in awhile.
{"commentId":4687014,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"CHOAS"}
- 3 votes
#21 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 2:08 PM EST{"commentId":4688260,"authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
chaos, god love you man. god bless you and your family. I am the oldest of seven children. mom/dad had it very hard , I was there for all of them. now I run into people,, having it hard, I'm there for them too. bottom line; without compassion were doomed...
{"commentId":4688260,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":4689249,"authorDomain":"katnana"}
You are a good person. The low income complex I live in has a great deal of people who have lost their jobs recently, and many of us living on SSI or Social Security. We get together and help our neighbors in any way we can. Be it food, babysitting while the parents look for jobs, or even helping them with things like clothing. There are good people all over. Do you know that if HUD found out that we were helping other tenants with these free "services" these people would lose their housing? Yeah, give that a thought the next time you want to ridicule those of us who are living on a shoestring and in public housing. We live at the other end of the spectrum that that TOTL seems to enjoy. Karma, buddy, it's on its way.
{"commentId":4689249,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"katnana"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":4691514,"authorDomain":"MyOwnConclusions"}
Kat51-
I agree with your completely! I live in a (Gasp) trailer park where our neighbors look out for eachother. During a severe storm last year, we lost our power for a week. I sent my daughter to my mom's house while my husband and I stayed home for our cats and dogs. My neighbor let me borrow their generator to run my heater a couple times a day to keep the chill off. We had a bonfire in their back yard and they cooked for around forty people.
I hear bad things said all the time about trailer parks and low income housing. It seems to me that the proximity helps foster a sense of community. I also do not have a $4K a month mortgage payment, which makes a riding out a tough economy a little easier. This year when the power went off, everyone came over to my house because I installed a wood stove. We hooked up their generator and were able to have lights and TV.
Be kind to your neighbors, some of mine have become my best friends. It is surprising how well we can do when we all pitch in.
{"commentId":4691514,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"MyOwnConclusions"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4717660,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
Good job man...
We need more people like that in the world!
{"commentId":4717660,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
{"commentId":4687264,"authorDomain":"kathycamaro"}
Turn out the lights and jjsjedidiah, my guess is that the two of you are management for your local gas or electric company. No other person would say such ridiculous things as the two of you. It is a shame that the greedy executives in every business sector in the U.S. feel they need the salaries they receive at any cost. But we're not talking about them. We're talking about the poor parents who have children at home, who can't afford to keep their child warm. These are the people you are snubbing your ridiculously ignorant noses at. Always remember, you reap what you sow. You'll get yours. You'll need help in one way or another one day, and I hope you'll remember your standing on this when someone snubs their nose at you.
{"commentId":4687264,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"kathycamaro"}
#22 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 2:20 PM EST{"commentId":4687412,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4687482,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4687631,"authorDomain":"gattes12"}
Turn out the lights I have to ask one question:
Do you own any credit cards?
{"commentId":4687631,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"gattes12"}
{"commentId":4687907,"authorDomain":"cdesignz2k"}
TOTL has a wife and kids...sad...so sad...
Teaching his kids to only worry about themselves, and let everyone else die/suffer...oh what a nice parent...such moral empathy for others...
I have to agree with the others that think TOTL lives in his parents basement...or was born with a silver spoon in mouth, and has never had to worry about the basics of living in TODAYS civilized world.
{"commentId":4687907,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"cdesignz2k"}
{"commentId":4688037,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4688079,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4688335,"authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
right on, bless ya.....
{"commentId":4688335,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
{"commentId":4689290,"authorDomain":"gattes12"}
Your balance I am not interested in, but thanks anyway.
I asked to make a point.
You seem to believe that cash rules ("Sorry but Money makes the world go round"). If you don't have it, you don't get service or product.
So why would you ever need a credit card? Regardless of when you pay it off, at that moment (of purchase, bill pay, or whatever) YOU did not fully compensate for services.
The same could be done for those facing these hardships even for those lower on the income scale especially when they those huge EIC checks.
Of course, this can't be the case for all as pointed out by Kathy above.
{"commentId":4689290,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"gattes12"}
{"commentId":4717828,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
Turn out DUH lights....
NO ONE IS SAYING TO GIVE IT AWAY FOR FREE....... NO ONE.
We are saying to make it so that people can afford to live.
You say that electricity is NOT A neccessity... ok fine lets entertain that thought for a moment....
So because these people are unable to afford the "luxuries" of electricity, they should just freeze?
Your a truly hardened person, I hope one day you don't need help... KARMA will stup it's nose at you.
{"commentId":4717828,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
{"commentId":4687469,"authorDomain":"dbtmellis"}
Just one world sums this up...Stupidity. Even if someone has to resort to a generator for electricity common sense would say it stays outdoors. Duh!!
{"commentId":4687469,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"dbtmellis"}
#23 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 2:30 PM EST{"commentId":4687803,"authorDomain":"kathycamaro"}
Turn out the Lights said, "All that Im saying is why do most of you think you should get your utilities for free? Do you work for free? Sorry but Money makes the world go round."........I told all of you, he obviously works for a utility company. I would like to correct one thing I said though. He's obviously not smart enough to be in management.
{"commentId":4687803,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"kathycamaro"}
#24 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 2:46 PM EST{"commentId":4688027,"authorDomain":"lbarachel"}
I replaced the 70 year old gas furnace in my home two years ago with an energy efficient furnace. The first winter I saw reduction in my gas use, but the gas prices were up and the reduction in cost was not so good. This year to prepare for winter I installed extra weather stripping at the doors and windows, I closed heat vents to all rooms but my front room and bedroom, I set my thermostat to 64 degrees and the gas use is down even further, but the bill is now almost as high as it was before I bought the new furnace. Go figure, I do everything right to cut energy use and the gas company jacks up the cost. $170 a month to heat 2 rooms to a low of 64 degrees is outrageous. The utilities should be forced to bring their rates down to a legitimate and and affordable cost!!!!!!
{"commentId":4688027,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"lbarachel"}
#25 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 2:57 PM EST{"commentId":4717901,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
Of Course
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS would tell you that is just too bad... you don't deserve heating at 64 degrees, if yo can't afford it then put it on 50 degrees, and if you get sick, oh well... one less mouth to feed.
Ain't that right TURN OUT THE LIGHTS????
Lets see you attack this person and his/her family...
go on
Mr. I am so brave and rich, screw everyone, family first (actually it is me me me me me first since your the type of person that would feed her/his kids to a pedophile for a big screen TV)
{"commentId":4717901,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
{"commentId":4688212,"authorDomain":"daetime991"}
Turn out the lights, is just stirring the pot with his comments.
The economy is in big trouble and many well educated people are finding themselves under-employed or not employed at all. I know of a guy with a PHD pumping gas at Costco. Here is a guy who did everything right. He got the education, got the great job and invested for the future and now he is broke. His company went belly up after raiding the retirement accounts of it's employees. This is much more common than most of you think.
Getting old is also the big sin. Many companies save money by pushing out the older employees and then hire young employees straight out of college. They younger employees will work for less, but they forget that some day they will be old and then they will be kicked to the curb.
There are many reasons that people are on the streets or can't afford electricity. Some people are just the scum of the earth and never had much anyway except for their next bottle. Now many middle class people are finding their lives in the crapper because of the corruption and greed of our politicians.
A revolution is coming.
{"commentId":4688212,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"daetime991"}
- 1 vote
#26 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 3:06 PM EST{"commentId":4688678,"authorDomain":"brian-39"}
{"commentId":4688704,"authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
when people UNITE, we will see big changes...to start, unite peacefully in huge numbers..create polictical causes like; health care reform organizations...regulated utilities reform organizations...unemployed rights organizations etc. Changes will happen only if people unite in huge numbers. this is democracy, we want change....
{"commentId":4688704,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"sunblocker"}
{"commentId":4689484,"authorDomain":"gattes12"}
Greed TOTL, believe it.
In my area the Gas and Electric companies hiked rates 18% due to rising energy prices (oil in particular) when oil was above $100.
We all received letters explaining this increase.
Oil is now less than half of what it was then.
Oil prices was the justification for the hike.
Shouldn't it be the justification for the decrease? Where are the letters explaining that?
No. Why? Because they can get away with it in this society.
That, my friend, is the precursor to greed.
Just watch the Q reports for Atlanta Gas and Light.
{"commentId":4689484,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"gattes12"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4717993,"authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
Thats nothing,
In our area, electricity alone is up 27 pecent
in my brothers area just 400 miles south it is up 37 percent!!
Why are there some people here thinking that is ok...
and for the record, Turn out the lights and The Party's over are one of the same person...
YOUR NOT STIRRING THE POT WITH TRUTH YOU ARE STIRRING IT WITH SELFLISH UNCOMPASSION.
again
no one said we wanted it for free...
just affordable!
What part of this don't you understand?
{"commentId":4717993,"threadId":"461951","contentId":"2278833","authorDomain":"david-ciulla-1"}
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