posted on Feb, 20 2007 @ 02:24 PM
I've said it countless times on this board, but I come from a relatively small town on the east coast of Canada. Our winters can be fairly cold, but
no worse or less than the rest of Canada and the northern United States. I am right on the coast line, so when the wind comes in off the water, it
can be that much worse. The issue that I am seeing coming up time and time again, over the winter months, is the power companies coming in and
cutting off the power of different homes. Protocols are implemented where it is not the standard procedure, and they are quick to remind us of this,
but it still happens. Single mothers with children at home are having their power cut off in the middle of the winter, at a time when they may not be
able to afford it.
It would be naive to think that some people are not abusing any generosity, and spending money elsewhere while they could be putting it towards some
overdue bills, but is it realistic to punish a young child for this? What if there are infants in the home? Are we putting their lives at risk?
Should legislation be passed where it would make it completely illegal for power companies to cut off the power of it's clients during the winter
months?
Maybe something along the lines of, from November 15 to March 15, power companies can not cut off the power. Overdue bills can and should accumulate
interest over this time if the company can not cut off the power, and sent repeat notices of the outstanding bill. But cutting it off is not a viable
option. By adding interest to the bill, the parent or adult in the home is going to be punished for their lack of payments. But by keeping the heat
on, the children in the house can remain warm.
In our own neighborhoods we are seeing poverty on the rise. Let's not add to it by putting young children out in the cold because Mommy or Daddy did
not pay the bills. Parents should and need to be held accountable, but cutting off the power is not it.
...
"Somebody Think Of The Children!"
[edit on 20-2-2007 by chissler]