Calling arsonists to put out a fire
LETTERS
The consumer column on bailouts is very good, but doesn't quite go far enough. There should also be a demand for a couple of pounds of flesh -- blood and all. ("Getting more bang for bailout billions," Nov. 26.)
The appalling stupidity of the chief executives whom we should put our faith and confidence in to get us out of the mess they helped create is surpassed only by the even more gut-wrenching stupidity of our "leaders," who continue to hand these idiots truckloads of money.
The chief executives and their lackeys should all be allowed to enjoy the unemployment lines and be given a box to sleep in. No one company is too big to fail, and more of them should be doing so.
Government officials who have thrown money at these companies that retain their chief executives should be fired for their incompetence. I have never known of a firefighter to seek an arsonist for help in putting out a fire, but that is what our government is doing.
Clyde Hammett Bellflower ENERGY Shifting costs to residential users Regarding the consumer column on Pacific Gas & Electric's desire to shift millions in fees paid each year by business customers onto residential customers to fund low-income heating programs (" Utilities’ surcharge proposal is ill-timed ," Nov. 23):
I can't help but think that the $250,000 that PG&E donated in July to the No on Prop. 8 campaign could have been better allocated to support low-income families.
I don't understand why a public utility should be involved in an issue unrelated to its services, and I believe that directing this money to support low-income folks would have been more in keeping with the company's mission.
Eric Van Denburg
Trabuco Canyon
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To pass the burden of utility payment for those who cannot afford to pay much of anything to the residential customer is just increasing the problem.
I understand the argument for letting the big companies off the hook -- same old "trickle down" theory.
It's about time that the big utility companies started giving back to the community by bearing the cost of helping those unable to pay.
It's not always about the stockholders. It's also about those who give their hard-earned money to these companies.
Dick Diamond
Bay City, Ore.
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You're right: This story sounds like a joke. The proposal ranks up there with bailed-out corporations using the money for executive raises and lavish retreats.
