Utility Abuse

I am convinced... Within 10 years everyone must become a lawyer as a second profession. Or perhaps the need may come even sooner. The ethics meter has been thrown out the window of almost every corporation and government institution. The result being, constant abuses against the everyday man.

What did it this time? The electric company. The latest rep threatened to cut off the light if we did not make adjustments to the position of our electric meter. This moving of the meter of course costs thousands of dollars which must come out of our pocket. The reason they gave was that the meter must be visible at all times.

The problem here is, all of the houses in this vicinity have the meters in the same location, yet none have been threatened in the same manner. So, what makes our house so special as to require this "hit man" attention from the electric company? I don't know... It's not as if we aren't paying enough in electric bills. With three air conditioners running almost 24/7, they probably think we are secretly running a business from our home. The reasoning here is that businesses are charged double of what common homes are charged.

This of course is not the first incident involving a public utility company. Just a few years ago, the Spanish company ONU stole millions from consumers before they fled the country. Their reasoning was to regain the initial investment they made in purchasing Puerto Rico's water company. This was an investment that did not work out for them or for Puerto Rico. They made unfulfilled promises to Puerto Rico. And apparently Puerto Rico was too high maintenance for them.

A water bill which was $90 a month suddenly went up to $2,000. They kept giving the excuse that the water meter was not visible or that we had a water leak; thus the increased cost. I don't know what fool would believe such a foolish excuse. Wait... I do. My father. He paid the $2,000 out of fear from the threats that they would cut off the water supply. Not a good thing in such a hot country like Puerto Rico. The smart people of course complained to the company and/or obtained lawyers to fight their cause.

This constant onslaught of unethical practices from companies who have consumers in a stronghold, is becoming very tiresome. They have become nothing more than bullies in a playground of innocent victims. What common man could come against them without a lawyer, a politician, and the media in his pocket as arsenals against such bullies? Furthermore, who can live peacefully under such conditions?

I honestly don't know how man can survive this way. The constant abuses he must endure from those who seek to exploit him. It seems everywhere one turns, it's do this and do that - push, push, push... It's no wonder the world is riddled with such violence. Man can only take so much before he is pushed to the limit of his senses. I am dumbfounded as to what to do. And I am tired of the constant stress. If it's not one thing, it's another.