Holiday gift idea from my power company

[Sabriel]

The flyer's cover reads, "Wish someone a warm holiday." Inside, it contains a gift certificate order form so I can "Give the Gift of Energy" to someone this holiday season.

Have any of you seen something like this before? It's new to me.

What's next? "Give the gift of gas and help us simultaneously gouge our customers while appearing to give a shit?"

This strikes me as complete chutzpah on the part of Wisconsin Public Service.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I imagine it may be necessary since I doubt gov't assitance will

cover everyone who needs help with their electricity or heating fuel this winter.

[agates]

2. Chutzpah

but maybe needed. How about a progressive organized "Heat Bank" along the lines of a food back that would give out heating vouchers? That's a charity I could and would give to.

[sandnsea]

3. For years and years and years

I've always gotten some sort of donation requests in my electric bills in the winter. Here and in Montana too. It's routine, nothing to do with this particular winter.

[Sabriel]

4. I've had those, too

But this is the first time it's been in the form of a gift certificate for heat and light. Before, it was always, "Please contribute to the such and such fund." Now it's actually a certificate that you can put in someone's envelope, like McDonald's coupons.

It just strikes me as completely odd, the way they're presenting it.

[lildreamer316]

5. It is, but

damn would that be a welcome gift. ATM great idea, regardless of the lack of forethought that made it necessary. Does point out that we need to work on the problem, badly.

[sandnsea]

10. Hmmm,

That is a bit peculiar. I'll have to crunch on that one for a while. Not sure that cutting out a charitable middleman would be a good idea. They're the ones that know how bad problems are getting and can advocate and address Congress, etc. Are you saying they want you to give to the actual power company who will then distribute the gift certificates themselves??

[Beaverhausen]

7. I get them in California too. I think this year I'm going to donate

it's going to be rough for lots of people. and if I have a little extra I'm going to share.

[CrispyQ]

6. Perhaps if the greedy bastards had a 'matching' plan

it would be more successful.

[LiberalFighter]

8. NIPSCO added 50 cents to bill every month to assist low-income families

In Indiana

Supposedly it raised $5.7 million and NIPSCO generously contributed $200,000

There is a tax on that 50 cent involuntary donation also.

[Horse with no Name]

9. I wouldn't give an extra dime

I would instead direct my contributions to organizations that actually provide relief to people in need.
I have known several people who have asked the electric companies for assistance in dire circumstances and none have ever been helped.
They were told to check with their local churches for assistance, but if the bill wasn't paid, they would be without.
I personally think that it is another form of stealth corporate welfare.