The Free Market

Republicans and money managers LOVE to crow about the advantages of the "free market system" - capitalism at its finest. Many of them right now proclaim that we don't need to bail out the economy - we need to let the markets restore balance. Of course, that means millions out of work, out of money and out of health care. But what concerns these Republicans? Balancing the markets.

From Mother Jones...

And the Award for the Biggest Cold-Hearted Bastard in America Goes To...

Bay City (Michigan) Electric Light & Power manager Robert Belleman. Upon learning that 93-year-old Marvin Schur froze to death—"a slow, painful death" according to the medical examiner—in his home, Belleman defended the utility's decision to cut off the man's power, without warning, during last week's subzero cold snap. Installing "limiters" which put a cap on power usage and shuts off the juice altogether if an owner exceeds the limit, is company policy, noted Belleman, and he saw no reason to change it in the light of Schur's death. As for the utility's failure to inform Schur?

"I've said this before and some of my colleagues have said this: Neighbors need to keep an eye on neighbors," Belleman said. "When they think there's something wrong, they should contact the appropriate agency or city department."

Schur, who was $1,000 behind on his utility bill, was indeed found by his neighbor—four days after the limiter was switched on, in a sub-freezing room that had icicles on the insides of its windows.