City Lets 93 Year-old Man Freeze To Death

[Graham Kennedy]

Ebenezer : "Are there no prisons?"
First Collector : "Plenty of prisons."
Ebenezer : "And the union workhouses - are they still in operation?"
First Collector : "They are. I wish I could say they were not."
Ebenezer : "Oh, from what you said at first I was afraid that something had happened to stop them in their useful course. I'm very glad to hear it."
First Collector : "I don't think you quite understand us, sir. A few of us are endeavoring to buy the poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth."
Ebenezer : "Why?"
First Collector : "Because it is at Christmastime that want is most keenly felt, and abundance rejoices. Now what can I put you down for?"
Ebenezer : "Huh! Nothing!"
Second Collector : "You wish to be anonymous?"
Ebenezer : "I wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what I wish sir, that is my answer. I help to support the establishments I have named; those who are badly off must go there."
First Collector : "Many can't go there. And many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population!"

[IanKennedy]

A question to all those who think that the profits of a company are more important than the live of a human being a simple question. What if this where a young family with a baby? Does your morality change then?

This is a 93 year old man, he was likely not that experienced with technology, who knows if the device was explained to him or if he understood what was explained, assuming it was.

[Tsukiyumi]

...What if this where a young family with a baby? Does your morality change then?

I was wondering that myself.

[Captain Seafort]

How exactly would the age or circumstances of the occupants change the basic facts of the case? If you don't pay for a service from a commercial company, don't expect that service to be continued. It's sad, but it's not as if the company is likely to have cut him off without warning (of course, if it did do so then the situation changes dramatically).

[Lt. Staplic]

I'm not saying their prophit is more important than his life, only that the company isn't responsable for his death. Even if he didn't know how to work the device, when it got cold enough that he had to were layers on top of layers to stay warm that should have been a signal something was wrong, he could have gone to his neighbors, called family something until he/they figured out how he missed his payment.

Same thing with the family, if it get's that cold they should have the commen sence to call the company or family and fix the problem.

[Tsukiyumi]

How exactly would the age or circumstances of the occupants change the basic facts of the case? If you don't pay for a service from a commercial company, don't expect that service to be continued. It's sad, but it's not as if the company is likely to have cut him off without warning (of course, if it did do so then the situation changes dramatically).

That's why I don't think things like essential services should be commercial entities.

[Lt. Staplic]

well, that's what happens with capitalism, everythings a commercial enterprise

[Tsukiyumi]

Right. Even hospitals.

I don't feel like having a governmental debate right now, though, so I'll just leave it at that.

[Captain Seafort]

That's why I don't think things like essential services should be commercial entities.

Why? Because this bloke died? Make no mistake, this is a systemic failure, but it's a failure of social services, not of the company concerned, nor of the system of commercial energy suppliers. There's clearly a need for changes to the way the energy suppliers and the local authority talk to each other, but nationalising the energy companies is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

[Captain Seafort]

Right. Even hospitals.

The NHS, police, fire brigade, and armed forces are where I draw the line at privatisation. Everything else is fair play.

I don't feel like having a governmental debate right now, though, so I'll just leave it at that.

You mean another one. I agree. Or at least agree to disagree.

[Tsukiyumi]

Even our ambulances over here are private companies. That's why a ride in one to the hospital costs $2,000.

[Teaos]

How exactly would the age or circumstances of the occupants change the basic facts of the case? If you don't pay for a service from a commercial company, don't expect that service to be continued. It's sad, but it's not as if the company is likely to have cut him off without warning (of course, if it did do so then the situation changes dramatically).

QFT

Whether its a old man or a baby doesnt change a thing, you dont pay for something you dont get it. If people get away with out paying the whole deck of cards will collapse real fast.

[Lt. Staplic]

right, so we aren't placing the individual companies prophit over a human life, we're commenting on the fact that that's the way the system runs, if the system stops running that way with the set up it's in the entire infrastructure can fail causing hundreds of deaths.

[Monroe]

...What if this where a young family with a baby? Does your morality change then?

I was wondering that myself.

Nope. But it'd be nice to get the kid out of dodge before then.
That said it sounds like the company didn't know there was a problem as no problem was reported.

[Reliant121]

A question to all those who think that the profits of a company are more important than the live of a human being a simple question. What if this where a young family with a baby? Does your morality change then?

This is a 93 year old man, he was likely not that experienced with technology, who knows if the device was explained to him or if he understood what was explained, assuming it was.

No it does not. Our next door neighbour can't afford the electricity meters at time. And? she cant cook or fire the electric heating. Not my problem. She can't pay, her problem. i know it sounds cruel, but nothing is free. You all have to pay somehow.