During brutal Winter, NC utilities disconnect tens of thousands

[ccharles000]

Mary Martin says it felt like she had gotten punched in the chest - by her utility bill.

It has run as high as $350 during the coldest of winter months, she says.

But last month, it climbed to over $600: an overwhelming figure to a 52-year-old who, like millions of other Americans, has lost her job and tapped out her unemployment benefits.

"I was in shock. I had my son go look around the outside to make sure nobody had any electric cords plugged up to my house," says Martin, who lives in Charlotte with two children.

"There's going to be a lot of unscrewed light bulbs in my house and closed-off rooms. We're doubling up in the beds, and I'm turning off some circuit breakers."

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/03/09/1300301/utility-bill-spikes-shock-needy.html

[Zoeisright]

1. That's the repuke way. If you don't have money, you die.

Repukes don't give a flying fuck about anyone except themselves and their precious money. I only wish there was a hell so they would burn in it.

[Bitwit1234]

2. I know in the Baltimore area

they used to have a law that they could not turn your utilities off from November to April 15th. I wonder why the state government doesn't do that every place.

[ccharles000]

3. kick