(Originally posted on 1/26/09 on Facebook)
http://news.aol.com/article/man-93-freezes-to-death-in-home/318210
The AP picked up a story out of the Bay City Times, which reported that a 93-year-old man froze to death inside of his own home after the electric company limited the amount of power entering his home because of over $1,000 in unpaid bills. Some individuals are outraged at the city government for letting the company do this, other neighbors are outraged at the company. None of them are outraged at themselves.
Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm a very devout capitalist, but I also believe that in this age of rampant consumerism, we've lost touch with a lot of things; one of which being the people around us. As individualist as we may claim to be, we are still social creatures and reach our highest potential in supportive, dynamic communities. I, in no way, think that the government was responsible for the paying of this man's electric bills, but definitely believe that private, non-profit community organizations should work next to businesses that provide these sort of necessary functions. I would even go so far as to say that government's illusion of a livable fixed income for the elderly has led to a significant number of retired individuals choosing between heat, medication, and other basic needs.
Where the government will inevitably fail, we need to step us as individuals, as neighbors, as church members, as coworkers, etc. to help keep our communities strong, safe, and prosperous for all.
The AP picked up a story out of the Bay City Times, which reported that a 93-year-old man froze to death inside of his own home after the electric company limited the amount of power entering his home because of over $1,000 in unpaid bills. Some individuals are outraged at the city government for letting the company do this, other neighbors are outraged at the company. None of them are outraged at themselves.
Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm a very devout capitalist, but I also believe that in this age of rampant consumerism, we've lost touch with a lot of things; one of which being the people around us. As individualist as we may claim to be, we are still social creatures and reach our highest potential in supportive, dynamic communities. I, in no way, think that the government was responsible for the paying of this man's electric bills, but definitely believe that private, non-profit community organizations should work next to businesses that provide these sort of necessary functions. I would even go so far as to say that government's illusion of a livable fixed income for the elderly has led to a significant number of retired individuals choosing between heat, medication, and other basic needs.
Where the government will inevitably fail, we need to step us as individuals, as neighbors, as church members, as coworkers, etc. to help keep our communities strong, safe, and prosperous for all.
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