Thoughtlessness Crosses All Boundaries

[rowyn]

pyat linked to this article about a 93 year-old man who froze to death after the utility company put a limiter on his service due to non-payment. Two things in particular, apart from the obvious "wow that sucks", struck me about it:

* This is a public utility run by the city.
* Private utilities are regulated by Michigan state law and cannot shut off service to senior citizens between November and April.

And it's just ... ngh! The trouble with organizations is that whether they're public or private, they're still run by people.

*sigh*

Comments

[missdiane.livejournal.com]

Found your blog linked on CNN and though I do agree that they should change their policies regarding turning off power during freezing and heat crises my thought was - where was this 93 year old's family and friends who could come over and assist him with paying his bills?

People seem quick to point fingers at the utility, but don't seem to be taking any personal responsibility for this loved one that suffered a slow horrible demise.