What should have happened? Conservatives, liberals, etc..

Brujah · 01-27-2009, 11:03 AM

A 93 yr old man in Michigan didn't pay his electric bill and freezes to death. Medical examiner reports a "slow, painful death" after his power is shut off.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090126/...frozen_indoors
Is it his own fault? Should measures be in place to prevent this from happening?

Phoebe_ · 01-27-2009, 04:19 PM

The Electric company has every rights to cut off the service but in this case I couldn't help but to sympathize for the old man. He's all alone with no children and his wife died several years ago so I thought that he's got no more funds left to pay anymore

shockie · 01-27-2009, 05:29 PM

that's a very tragic story. shutting down someone's electric bill isn't just a minor inconvenience. with the weather this cold they definitely should have spoken to one of the residents and explained the situation first. very sad.

GF · 01-27-2009, 07:18 PM

I think it's pathetic that this happened.

This is no way for a human to die, let alone someone who is 93 years of age. I heard this story tonight on The O'Reilly Factor, and according to the police, the man had cash paper-clipped to the bill in his home, as if he were preparing to make the payment.

I think that if the weather were so extreme that someone would die if their power were shut off, the electric company should have taken that into account when shutting off power.

It's just not humane.

-Galel
Member of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy

homebuyer · 01-30-2009, 08:42 PM

The power company should have a separate billing code for very elderly users so that before their power is cut off, an in-person visit by the power company, and police or social services, should be madatory during extreme cold weather.

**Michelle** · 01-30-2009, 11:08 PM

In this day and age nobody should ever die a death like that

I hope some lessons were learnt..

Isis · 01-31-2009, 12:32 PM

what does being liberal, conservative, etc have to do with it? as an american I am appalled at the level of apathy and indifference we have for one another. especially when it comes to money.

barefoottech · 02-03-2009, 07:01 PM

It is the fault of the whole of society in general
In a "civilised world" there should be neighbours, social workers, et al that will be visiting elderly people at regular intervals.
93 Year old pensioners should be in a supervised care facility anyway.

Social welfare in USA and most other western countries SUCK
In Australia there is a mechanism to make regular payment deductions from the fortnightly pension payments for power, Gas, and rates so pensioners do not get into this situation.
Their pensions are automatically paid into the bank account of their choice.

01-27-2009, 11:03 AM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
Brujah Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,478	What should have happened? Conservatives, liberals, etc.. A 93 yr old man in Michigan didn't pay his electric bill and freezes to death. Medical examiner reports a "slow, painful death" after his power is shut off. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090126/...frozen_indoors Is it his own fault? Should measures be in place to prevent this from happening? __________________ Free Keyword Popularity, CPC, etc... Namejet, Snapnames, GoDaddy Lists Offers valid for 24 hours. Now Available: Rented.com

01-27-2009, 04:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phoebe_ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,320 Follow @Risse_wicked	The Electric company has every rights to cut off the service but in this case I couldn't help but to sympathize for the old man. He's all alone with no children and his wife died several years ago so I thought that he's got no more funds left to pay anymore __________________ Professional Web Design and Development Services! ICQ:492-728-092 AIM:wickedclarisse

01-27-2009, 05:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
shockie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,702	that's a very tragic story. shutting down someone's electric bill isn't just a minor inconvenience. with the weather this cold they definitely should have spoken to one of the residents and explained the situation first. very sad. __________________ - shockie

01-27-2009, 07:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
GF Domain Buyer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 5,224	I think it's pathetic that this happened. This is no way for a human to die, let alone someone who is 93 years of age. I heard this story tonight on The O'Reilly Factor, and according to the police, the man had cash paper-clipped to the bill in his home, as if he were preparing to make the payment. I think that if the weather were so extreme that someone would die if their power were shut off, the electric company should have taken that into account when shutting off power. It's just not humane. -Galel Member of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy __________________ WTB: High PR Blogrolls and Guest Posts

01-30-2009, 08:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
homebuyer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,063	Classify The power company should have a separate billing code for very elderly users so that before their power is cut off, an in-person visit by the power company, and police or social services, should be madatory during extreme cold weather.

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01-30-2009, 11:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Michelle Be Happy... Don't Worry Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK Posts: 16,273	In this day and age nobody should ever die a death like that I hope some lessons were learnt..

01-31-2009, 12:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
Isis Think for yourself Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Az Posts: 1,057	what does being liberal, conservative, etc have to do with it? as an american I am appalled at the level of apathy and indifference we have for one another. especially when it comes to money.

02-03-2009, 07:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
barefoottech The MINISITE King Join Date: May 2005 Location: QTHR Posts: 4,594	It is the fault of the whole of society in general In a "civilised world" there should be neighbours, social workers, et al that will be visiting elderly people at regular intervals. 93 Year old pensioners should be in a supervised care facility anyway. Social welfare in USA and most other western countries SUCK In Australia there is a mechanism to make regular payment deductions from the fortnightly pension payments for power, Gas, and rates so pensioners do not get into this situation. Their pensions are automatically paid into the bank account of their choice. __________________ Studio51 Sites! Often Copied Always Amazing Never Bettered. Last edited by barefoottech; 02-03-2009 at 07:05 PM.

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What should have happened? Conservatives, liberals, etc..

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