http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29033269/?GT1=43001

Read the full article in the above link. He had his power cut off and he froze to death. Heartless electrical company negligence contributed to a World War 2 veteran's death. It sickens me that younger generations disrespect elderly people who built this nation. The World War 2 veteran fought for our freedom.

I guess business does not care about anything except for making money at all costs.  Capitalist American society is appalling.

How many other people will lose their lives due to some evil electrical company cutting off their electrical power during the freezing cold winter?

Cut it off during the warm weather but not the winter.

That sounds a bit tricky when it comes to deciding whether or not that electric company is evil.

Oh, it happened in Bay City...that explains it. BC is the black sheep of the Tri-Cities.

Way to spin it, MSNBC. CNN states that there was a device that cut the power to the man's residence after he uses a certain amount of electricity. He had the ability to turn it back on, but it wasn't fully explained to him how. The old guy didn't know how to turn it back on and he froze to death. I don't know how they do it in Bay City, but where I live at, if your money isn't paid by noon on the day that it's due, your power is cut off. $1000? They'd cut it off if I owed $100. In this particular situation, I can't blame the electric company.

The Department of Family and Children's Services, the local Sheriff's Department, or the old guy's immediate family should have been checking up on him. Still, no one is at fault. It's a good story for stirring up outrage, but really, blaming doesn't benefit anyone.

I agree with you.  It still kind of sucks that he died this way, though.

It's not their fault really. They see money and figures, it's not their job to be humanitarians. On the other hand it is a shame, but what is more of a shame is that he didn't have anyone to bring him into a warmer house or sort out his heating.

Just got home from paying my electric bill, actually. Posted on the wall, as clear as day, was a sign offering assistance for people who have trouble paying their electric bill. The old guy (93 years!) probably just didn't know how to go about asking for help.

the company didnt just decide to cut his power they went thru all teh normal steps , what is really sad is that teh family said they found more then enough money in the house to pay the bill so they are not sure why the old guy never did

We had a worse case here in NZ where somebodies power was cut and they were on a portable respirator.

in NY, it is near impossible for the electric company to cut your power. They don't even charge interest or charge late fees . I know cause I went 4 months without paying it (thought I was, turned out the online bill pay request didn't work right).

They actually can't do anything other than sending you another bill until your bill is 2 months late. They then have to send a person to your door and make sure that no one is life dependent on electricity (pregnant, respirator, other factors) So if you don't answer the door your power will stay on longer.