Originally posted by: PJ Stroh
Boiler, would you choose a variable rate plan subjected to the rates we just witnessed in Texas? Would you think that plan is a good deal for any person? Explain that person's context so we can all understand your intelligent argument.
A provider of essential services shouldn't provide a "choice" that's actually a sucker trap. Yes, people who signed up for the variable rate plan made a bad decision. But that shouldn't have been possible.
The "buyer beware" mentality, explicity expressed on the website that Boiler so kindly provided a link to, might be moral when it comes to consumer discretionary spending, but it's unethical and immoral when it comes to selling things that people have no option but to buy.
I don't think that essential service providers should be allowed to ass-fuck and bankrupt stupid, foolish, or careless people. Sure, signing up for the variable rate plan is stupid. But should people have to pony up $10,000 because they made the wrong choice?
Boiler would enthusiastically say "yes." He wants to live in a world where companies are predators and can pull whatever scams they want, with no fear of consequences. That's late 19th century America, where Boiler's soul resides. (Them uppity wimmenfolk and darkies couldn't vote back then!)
There's another side to this, as well--the obscene profits made by the power companies. Do you think companies should be allowed to massively profit from a natural disaster? Boiler's down with that.
