Bread and Circuses

[Ambrosious]

Well, it's happened. Yesterday the GA public service commision voted some new regulations into effect that concern natural gas providers. You are going to love this. We can now, in GA, refuse to pay our natural gas bill, and it won't be shut off until April 1st. We can also float from company to company while still owing money to previous providers. That's right! We can run up a huge bill with company A, then switch to company B, then on to C.

Is this good business? Hell, if I owned one of these companies, I would shut down, right now. Let the government provide something for nothing. I see an era of HUGE deposits coming for everyone, higher prices, and vigorous credit reporting by the gas companies. What do you think? Have we reached the "Bread and Circuses" stage yet?

I haven't even looked into the Fed's ruling yesterday on airlines. That'll be a hoot.

 

[Merelan]

First thing I saw was inflating prices and rates for those who pay.

California here they come... right back where you started from......

 

[CreamyLady]

Right. Come to California, home of the Rolling Blackouts and bankrupt utilities; shop carefully for a place to live.

Things are dire now, boys and girls. We might all be heading EAST.

 

[Ambrosious]

Tree Huggers

Environmentalists have successfully blocked all attempts to build new power plants for the past 10 years in CA. It's a shame that the very trees that they were trying to protect will have to be chopped up and burned for warmth.

 

[CW]

Re: Tree Huggers

Environmentalists have successfully blocked all attempts to build new power plants for the past 10 years in CA. It's a shame that the very trees that they were trying to protect will have to be chopped up and burned for warmth.

The ironic conclusion of the extremists stance,,, cut off your nose to spite your face

 

[CreamyLady]

One more time -- it wasn't JUST the environmentalists. It was serious mismanagement of funds and resources, a stupid attempt at deregulation, and jacked up fuel costs.

Yes, plants were needed, but one need not denude the entire state to build them.

Also, many of the plants are offline right now for maintenance and because of those fuel costs. It's a miracle that I'm typing this at all.

I have to ask, though -- haven't any of you been so poor that it's a choice between your utility bills and food? Or is it better to have people starve and pay their utility bills? Better yet -- have the very weak freeze, thereby freeing up more resources for your selfish selves.

 

[Ambrosious]

Project SHARE-here in Ga helps those who can't pay, pay.

Of course it's based on income, so the ones who can afford it but choose to buy beer, tattoos, or Camaro's instead have lobbied the Government to take them (bills) away.

And I know it isn't just the tree huggers, burn some Condors and snail darters too. They put out some pretty good BTU's.

 

[CreamyLady]

Well, I've got to say that I've been so damned poor that it was a choice of eating, utilities, rent, or child care, but on paper I earned $2.00 more than would make me eligible for state aid for my child care.

It isn't always beer, Camaros, and tattoos that eat up money, and those who live in the margins can really hurt.

Look out that I don't spike your trees.

 

[Merelan]

Anyone ever read about using the frozen as a fuel source?
Nevermind, I was joking, though poor and frightening joke.
Yes Creamy Lady, have been that poor. Been poor enough not to have that choice. To live off rice and beans. To be grateful everyday for my family and friends. I know the feeling you get when the phone rings, and you don't dare answer it. When there is a knock on the door, or you dread picking up your mail.
But then I remembered that, we live in America. We have a phone, we have electricity, mail and food. We have the choice to work, or not.

Maybe if, as a nation, we could cut back on our use of power and fuel, it would make it better. Admit it, we are a greedy lot.

 

[April]

I have been that poor. We paid our bills first, then bought a lot of macaroni and cheese and hot dogs. That was all we had for food for two weeks. Until payday.

 

[CreamyLady]

But then I remembered that, we live in America. We have a phone, we have electricity, mail and food. We have the choice to work, or not.

Yes, and many ARE working. They are paid minimum wage for long hours and hard work, and the money just isn't enough.

This is America, yes, but that is not a synonym for Paradise. Some people do not have a phone, and some do not have food, and it looks as if everyone will be scrambling for electricity. Let's not talk about the mail!