Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by sesport on February 12, 2009 at 16:30

Here's the link for help with SWEPCO bills.

https://www.swepco.com/CustomerService/YourBill/PaymentOptions/Paym...

And the link for assistance with payment of CenterPoint bills ...

http://www.centerpointenergy.com/services/naturalgas/residential/cu...

There was also one hopeful news story in the past couple of days. DeSoto parish is using some of its HS money to build the much needed animal shelter. Had to leave the room when that story ran. As much as I'd like to, I can't run out to take in every stray/feral dog out there. Have to pick my niche, my little battles, and do the best at fighting them as I can.

Here's hoping that when one neighbor know of another in distress, said neighbor will step up and sound an alarm.

Now, back to topic ....

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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on February 13, 2009 at 4:13

if you are low income, you simply provide that information to the utility company and you are billed the lower rate

In other words, we subsidize their rate with higher rates for ourselves.

I apprecieate you jumping to the defense of the helpless, but we have very little information on this womans situation.

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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on February 13, 2009 at 8:03

I have a heart. I just don't believe that we need a sliding scale on utility rates. Although. you are correct that assitance plans do seem to be a little obstructionist.

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Permalink Reply by Antsu-in-Japan on February 15, 2009 at 5:55

Thanks for the SUPER points, KB! I pay US taxes (in addition to Japanese taxes) and don't even live in the States. If anyone should be complaining in here about having to "subsidize" others, well...never mind! I accept that as the price the IRS charges me so that I can keep my nationality and passport.

One of the best gifts living in Japan has given me has to do with placing necessary emphasis on my community (not merely on me and mine!). Call it "spreading the wealth," if you will...but whatever it is, it feels good. You know...that 'old school way we used to look after each other back in the days in the US.

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Permalink Reply by Antsu-in-Japan on February 15, 2009 at 7:10

KB...not to imply that Christians corner the market on empathic concern, but I was raised in a Christian household to believe that 'being my brother's keeper' is as important as securing my own financial well-being. My parents often fed those who didn't have the means during special holidays (and we weren't filthy rich folk either...at least not financially!!). My father volunteered in the community through sports...coaching little league baseball for over 20 years. I can't even begin to calculate the time he spent away from us helping other folks' kids grow into great young men! I really respect my parents for teaching us the importance of giving to those in need.

I guess that has shaped my outlook on community and the role I think I should play in it. I remember waiting tables to save money for college years back. At that time I sponsored a child from the Philippines and carried his picture in my ordering pad just to remind myself of the responsibilities that I had committed myself to (no....I wasn't using it to get pity tips). A customer asked me if he was my son, to which I explained the sponsorship, etc. He asked if I was 100% positive that Ronnie was getting that money...to which I honestly replied "no." Of course, I checked out the company before sending off money but you never know what people are doing once they get their hands on your money (a look at recent investment scandals, misleading contracts, etc. shows us all that!!). What I did tell my customer is that I was giving monthly from my heart in an attempt to make a positive difference in some child's life. You'll NEVER believe what happened next. My tip that night was a $12 check to be used as a payment for my sponsored child. Honestly, that was the most meaningful tip I have ever received in my life. What made me even happier is that my determination to help others touched someone else's heart that night and encouraged him to also give to someone in need. That, in my opinion, is what community and humanity is all about.

Being financially responsible, in my opinion, is a delicate balance of giving when we can while keeping enough to protect our livelihoods. We don't need to give everything away...but we don't necessarily "profit" by hoarding everything either. (And for all of you out there who are too proud or steadfast in your beliefs to accept help when in need (and use that excuse to justify not helping others), here's some advice from my 82 year-old Japanese friend: she said she grew up feeling the same way until about 10 years ago when someone had to change her diaper after a surgery.) We will all need help someday.

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Permalink Reply by Dorcheated A1 on February 16, 2009 at 4:17

Speaking of hypocrites, how many campaign promises has Obama broke already four or five and still counting. Let me think for a second..... He's President of The United States and a Christian, that would make it a freaking double whammy. That's hard to score a double whammy but I guess he did it. I got a basket of stones my friend, and I don't mind throwing them.


This one is for either you Gosh Darn or KB which ever one want's to answer first.

Permalink Reply by John Clifford on February 17, 2009 at 11:51

You can call them faux Christians. I also call them Bush Republicans. They have the "I've got mine right now, screw the rest of you" mentality. They also have a selective memory that blocks out any and all acknowledgment of help or benefit that they have received over the course of their lives from others and from their communities. That attitude is a very big part of why this country is in the mess that it's in. How a society takes care of its lowest members is the surest measurement of a civilization's advancement. We need only look to tribal societies, where there is absolutely no shared sense of duty to the greater community (beyond the tribe) or the country, to see where we're headed.

Permalink Reply by Antsu-in-Japan on February 18, 2009 at 2:28

"How a society takes care of its lowest members is the surest measurement of a civilization's advancement."

John, I couldn't agree more!! So much like that "we're only as strong as our weakest link" saying. Maybe Oprah was on to something with those 'random acts of kindness' acts she mentioned. It really doesn't take much to touch someone's life. I wonder what our shale would be if we all did something nice for someone else every single day. Maybe that should be one of our discussions...

Permalink Reply by Dorcheated A1 on February 13, 2009 at 4:29

Oh, Lord this is the big one, hold on Elizabeth I'm coming.
Don't just take the local media with a grain of salt. Take papers like the New York Times and others with a bag of salt. You stick with me kid and I'll get you right on the media. I can smell their lies a mile away.

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Permalink Reply by Dorcheated A1 on February 13, 2009 at 4:33

I'm gonna fire KB's butt up for you people and then hit the road.
Don't thank me, I just want to add a little spice to the GHS it's
Starting to read like boring book.

Your friend
Shale Devil.

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Permalink Reply by Dorcheated A1 on February 16, 2009 at 3:40

I rely on newspapers that report the truth and who research stories. Therefore I don't rely on newspapers at all. The NYT is a good example. Their hatred for conservatives is unabashed. Their reporting is so slanted and unresearch it's a shame not only for them but for the industry as a whole. Just the facts Mam, that's all I want. No disrespect to you or anybody who reads the NYT that's your personal decision. But to me their one step up from the View, Very entertaining at it's best, but the information is untrust- worthy and useless as whole. The NYT thinks that people like me are from another world. A world in which I'm out of touch with todays issue and problems. They feel because I trust in God and my country and don't buy into their BS that I'm out of touch.
They feel like they are superior to us Rednecks living in the swamp. Surely their Ivy league degrees make them smarter than us hillbillies. To be honest with you, I wouldn't wipe my ass with that paper if I was in the woods and had nothing else. Their journalism isn't worthy of my ass. The days of investigative journalism have gone.

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Permalink Reply by Cathaus on February 16, 2009 at 4:00

Dorcheated returns with a vengeance!

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