December 21, 2009 --

Con Ed/Verizon Update

Electricity and phone cut-off now in fourth month. In a display of power (?), Con Ed sent letter, December 2, threatening collection action. Suggested in response they might need judgment first. Threat warned of collection costs as high as 50% of the balance due. Another tax on poor people, as seen here.

BTW, learned recently that Con Ed monthly business charges could equal or surpass store rents. Don't recall reading in media the impact of electric power on consumer costs (inflation). After three months with candles, find them relaxing illumination for listening to music (on walkman ).

Continue receiving bill from Verizon for wireless although have not used wireless since service was disconnected mid-September. After three months without phone service, find payphones often maddening, but far cheaper previous phone bills.

Senator Bruno Update

A federal jury found the former New York State Senate majority leader guilty on two counts of mail fraud. (Further comment, next LPR)

Credit Card Update

The House of Representatives approved legislation to keep credit card companies
in check (pun not necessarly intended.)

LPR asks, where was the House of Representatives years ago?

LPR has its own proposal for the House. Adopt a House rule requiring members to live, for one month, on $5 a day, to have a sense how those us hammered by the "bad will" of credit card companies and other U.S. businesses get by.

ALSO, establish an EKG committee: the House Committe for the Economic Common Good, which will investigate "bad will" companies with the view of enacting further corrective legislation.

AND, annul, as an unconscionable, the povery tax: penalties and interest rates on tax balances for people impoverished in today's "Bad Will" climate.

** Latest evidence of this climate -- a report that credit card companies are raising their interest rates -- even more! -- anticipating action by Congress to end credit card brutality (action that should have been taken at least 20 years ago).