NW Iowa couple pays whole town's power bills

[wicket]

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2004/12/21/news/breaking_news/1947fe9c2cf1480486256f71003f95be.txt

Home and business owners in this northwest Iowa town of 650 people are getting a special gift this Christmas season from retired farmer Richard Hamann and his wife, Donna.

The Hamanns doled out $25,000 to pay the town's electricity bills -- all due on Dec. 25.

Hamann, 75, has received nationwide attention for his act of generosity, but he shrugs off the publicity.

He sees the gift as returning a good deed.

"The Lord has been very good to us and so have the people of this community, so I always thought we ought to be doing something in return if we could," he said Monday.

[Metatron]

1. What a wonderful gesture.

Kudos to the Hamanns!

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[truthisfreedom]

4. better than blowing it in vegas. i think he did right.

nothing wrong with it.

[peacetalksforall]

5. I hope you also post on other threads in question form whether

what is shown on www.costofwar.com is the best this country can do?

To each his own. Plus, we don't know the circumstances of the bill to make a judgement. Do we?

Edited to say this was meant as a reply to #2.

[wicket]

6. helping out your fellow man is small minded?

[Bono71]

7. Tell you what...

You go work hard, earn some cash and spend it as you wish. The absurdity to mock someone for helping others.

Unreal.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tom_paine]

21. No but they are all acts of GIVING, and as such deserve a certain respect

Ripping someone for doing something nice & good because they could have done it better is low class and childish.

But that's just my opinion.

Tell you what, take YOUR money and give it to whomever you wish.

Then I can criticize you for how you could have given it away better.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bono71]

39. Hey...the truth hurts doesn't it? I'll pose the question again...

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AND HOW MUCH WAS IT?

I'll tell you what is dumb---bashing someone for contributing to others (in fact, strangers). That is dumb.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ms_Mary]

25. Think heat and electricity for the elderly and poor.

It's not all for Christmas lights and that is a really arrogant attitude. So maybe he could have done something different with it, something more effective, but I'm sure there are people who benefitted greatly from his gesture of kindness.

[secedeeconomically]

27. Yes so whats your point?

I make a very good salary, however if someone gave me $1000 I would be as happy as a pig in shit. But do I really need that money? Probably not. My point is that we as a society reward acts of kindness that are hollow and no substance. Yes you can spend days extrapolating outwards on the affects that $25,000 will have on that community and individuals, such as how Billy Bob down the street will NOW be able to buy that new shovel lol. But does Billy Bob really need that shovel? That is the question

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bono71]

41. How much have you given, Mr. Generosity? Who was it to?

Come on, out with it.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bono71]

46. You know and I know, you haven't given 1 cent to anyone, otherwise

you wouldn't be so foolish as to bash someone for giving to his community.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bono71]

62. By making statements that degrade someone who has

given to his community, I know plenty about you.

[secedeeconomically]

71. Oh ya??

Whats my dogs name?? lol

[Ms_Mary]

65. If I ever have money to give, I'll submit my idea for your approval first.

[secedeeconomically]

72. No need for that. Just

Put the money in an envelope and mail it to me. I'll take care it for you lol

[Ms_Mary]

73. I'll get right on that.

[jzorlando]

47. A Nice Act

Okay, so they could have fed the homeless. They could have saved the whales. They could have saved the trees. Have you taken into account that maybe they are paying the power bills of many people who are teetering on the edge and are living paycheck to paycheck? Hm.

Sometimes it's statements like yours that makes liberals look like nothing but complainers and whiners, which doesn't help out cause. Doing something good isn't good enough for some people obviously.

[secedeeconomically]

53. Well I wasn’t aware that we were in some type of

Competition with other ideologies on who can be less of complainers and whiners. Thanks you for clearing that up with me. How far back have I set back the movement with my little diatribes? Please enlighten me.

[jzorlando]

82. Sad State

Your lousy attitude certainly doesn't help our causes around here, IMHO. You shouldn't be here writing and complaining to all of us at this time.

If I were the giver such as you, I'd be our volunteering my time and helping those homeless that you seek to feed.

[secedeeconomically]

83. My attitude is fine thank you very much, however

Just because I might not agree with the prevailing opinion doesn’t give anyone the right to make judgments on my impact on the cause, whatever hat might be. Beside, I don’t remember voting for anyone as the arbiter of the "Cause".

[gratuitous]

9. Let's see, by spending 25 grand this way

He frees up some money that every household in town ordinarily would spend on just one thing: Keeping their lights on. Now, whether a family spends $25 or $125 on their electricity, they have that money freed up as discretionary income, and hundreds and hundreds of consumers have the choice to spend that any way they see fit.

The power company gets paid, as it should. And the ripple effect of the $25,000 spent in other areas of the economy pass out into the larger world, as retailers pay their people or spend the money on other things.

Okay it may not be up there with the Beatitudes, but it's still a pretty positive act, worthy of praise. And from such "small" actions, larger ones (as yet unknown) may ensue. I look forward to your personal grand gesture with anticipation; in the meantime, I'll keep working on those small things like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and housing the homeless. Paris Hilton may not tell me it's hot to do that, but I plan to keep doing it anyway.

[Politicub]

11. Why the sour grapes?

It wasn't your money.

I think those families would be thrilled at having some extra money for the holidays.

[secedeeconomically]

17. But do they actually need it? That’s the question

Walk down any major city someday and make a mental list of who really needs money and then comeback to me.

[Politicub]

28. I still don't see your point

It's HIS money. He can spend it how he pleases.

Besides, isn't the stuff you're referring to handled by faith-based grants? Praise the gubmint!!

[secedeeconomically]

29. Yes he can do what ever he wants.

That "stuff" makes the difference between life and death to some.

[Bono71]

35. Ummm, how do you know this is all he did?

[secedeeconomically]

40. Well this thread is only pertaining to the $25000

[Bono71]

42. Yes, and again, how much HAVE YOU GIVEN?

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[secedeeconomically]

54. Ok then lets restructure your argument

Bush has given close to $250 billion (many more zeros then our generous friend) to "help" and "liberate" out brothers in Iraq. What that money well spent? Was that the best usage of OUR funds? Or, could have he spent that money differently. I guess we should stop criticizing the job has done. Because he is just trying to help other. And assholes like me should STFU and see the beauty in his actions.

That is your logic in a nutshell. Just because someone gives money doesn’t mean is noble.

[Bono71]

59. Oh, now this guy = Bush. Nice.

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MARALE]

49. BTW

You haven't been to a small town in Iowa have you? Most of them do need the money. I know because I came from one of about 500. It gets very cold here and the prices have risen tremendously in the past few years. I know many that go without so they can pay their bills. Most (90%) are poor in small towns like that.

[A Simple Game]

60. Exactly, this is a small town.

There are probably no homeless people. There are most likely many who are in need. Many people in small towns are proud, and don't like charity. By giving his gift to all, even those who are not in need, he allows the needy but proud ones to accept the gift without being humiliated(maybe not the right word).

They could have helped the homeless in NYC or saved the whales, and maybe they have, but charity starts at home. Bottom line, this was a nice thing to do, period.

[chopper]

56. how about this...

since you're the one railing on the couple for dropping 25,000 on charity that you think 'isn't charitable enough', how about you go and determine how many of the people in that town have trouble paying their bills or are on a fixed income and really need the spare cash.

then get back to me. if everyone in this town is rich as all get-out to begin with, then maybe you might have a seed that could develop into a point.

[secedeeconomically]

86. I think people to relax for a second and argue issues on

the facts rather than getting into hyperbole's. and what if's. What is the point of having a message board if everyone has to agree about every little thing?

[Cheswick2.0]

74. how do you know they don't need it?

Do you know all the stories of all the people in that community? There might be people who owe hundreds of dollars and are about to have their electricity shut off. There maybe someone who can now go to the dentist because the power bill is off his or her back.

You have no idea if people needed that help or not. I'll bet that people who didn't need the help will now go do something nice for someone who does.

So what have you done for anyone lately?

[Ms_Mary]

23. So what do you do that's better?

[secedeeconomically]

32. A million and 1 better things

1. Walk into a soup kitchen and pay for meal for a couple thousand homeless people.
2. Donate to a shelter so they might have more beds for the homeless.
3. Donate to welfare mothers in order to help them get a job.
4. Walk down the street and give $20 to every REALLY needy person.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[secedeeconomically]

55. I seriously doubt any of those things existed in a town

of 600 people

[chopper]

58. uh...

i grew up in a small town in illinois. lots of farmers and people with small incomes. and yes, there was a homeless shelter.

maybe having their electricity bill covered will help pay the heating oil bill, which has been skyrocketing recently.

[Bono71]

61. Guess again, my main man.

[Ms_Mary]

67. I live in a community of about that many and there is plenty of need.

[secedeeconomically]

75. I didnt say there wasnt a need

But rather than a homeless shelter exists?

[Ms_Mary]

68. What leads you to make that assumption?

I know nothing of that specific town but I live in an area with quite a few small communities and know your assumption based on the number of inhabitants alone to be faulty.

[Ms_Mary]

66. GOOD.

But not everybody chooses to help in the same way. I'm happy to see people helping at all even if it's not the same way I would choose to do it myself.

[pop goes the weasel]

31. no, it isn't

The best he could do was build an environmentally friendly alternative energy source for the town. But the electrical company wouldn't let him run it, so this is plan B.

Try reading the article before you climb on your high horse.

[0007]

63. I'm more than sure kind Sir even you are redeemable!

[cshldoc]

69. Unless you're out on the street handing out Ben Franklins

this is a very arrogant thing to say. Many of these folks were NOT lighting up Christmas lights, I am sure. Also, if you've ever lived in a home with electric heat, I would imagine you'd reconsider your opinion that electricity is a 'luxury'.

[secedeeconomically]

84. I never said that electricity was a luxury, but rather

A luxury to someone in the street. And yes I do happen to live with electric heat.

[hickman1937]

10. This almost put me in the spirit

of Christmas. This guy has to be a Democrat. A repuke would have invested his money in energy stock.

[Florida_Geek]

12. or a Collection Agency nt

[nuxvomica]

18. According to newsmeat.com, he's a Republican

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=ANTHON&st=IA&last=hamann&first=richard
But that doesn't stop you from being a good person. In fact, it makes his acts of generosity more remarkable.

[Bono71]

34. Lol...not all repukes are evil (this may come as a shock to some).

[Blue Gardener]

87. Dems are few and far between in NW Iowa

Either he is one, or an exception to the rule for most repugs I know.

[latteromden]

13. So, there ARE kind people in this world. That sort of thing is far too

rare these days.

[beyurslf]

14. random acts of kindness...senseless acts of beauty.....

I like it :)

[nuxvomica]

15. Make sure you read the whole story, folks

This is an interesting little tale of energy politics.

[SKKY]

19. I doubt very seriously this is all he's done or will do...

...people don't normally drop 25K in their first act of Philanthropy. He's probably done a great deal for this town and it's residents, but since the looming energy crisis is all over the news, this was the one that made it to the press. Very kind though. And I couldn't disagree more with the Ass-clown that said it was "small minded".

[Jack The Tab]

20. Much more to this story when you read it...what a role model this guy is..

I can only hope this guy is still around to get to put up his turbine after the city's contract wtih the power company expires.

[KyndCulture]

24. I would be ecstatic if someone paid my electric bill...

and kept my home heated for a month.

That was a very kind gesture, he gave back to his own community, so the others will also give to the community with the extra money they have. It's a win win situation on the local level where all generosity should begin.

[TahitiNut]

26. A greater question might be ...

... what did the people who had no economic need for this largesse do with their windfall? Did they take this act of generosity as a model and "pay it forward" or merely cackle in Scrooge-like glee and go for a joyride in their gas-hog SUV?

[UCLA Dem]

57. thats so wonderful.

[bushisanidiot]

64. Nice story. However, the greed of the power companies will reep

the benefit of this samaritan's good deed. They'll probably raise the power rates for next month because they'll figure they can afford it since they didn't have to pay their power bill this month.

[Hard_Work]

76. something smells about this

<snip>
The residents of Anthon can expect more generosity from the Hamanns. They plan to build a new library for the town, to replace the small, cramped library that shares a building with the town hall.
<snip>

Nah, this guy is up to something. </sarcasm>

[Lorien]

77. Well, they certainly aren't republicans!

Repugs believe that if a town, state, country is good to you, well, then that's your due! Taxes are for nutty socialists, not for good patriots who wave the flag, support the troops, but don't want to back up their support with a dime of their income!

[Massachusetts]

78. Its the thought that counts!

Good for these folks, its what they wanted to do and IT DID HELP LOTS OF PEOPLE!:toast:

[prayin4rain]

79. That is so cute of them. How nice.

[captain disgruntled]

80. I thought it was a perfectly lovely story--

and Mr. secede is full of...static electricity.
I also hail from the Great Plains, and can happily attest to the temperatures that they endure in the winter. My mother lives in a small town in Minnesota, she has electric heat, and she would be ecstatic to have her electricity paid this month.
Logistically speaking, I'm sure there are hundreds of people who ARE homeless because they were overwhelmed by bills; because it is cold out (and right now, dammit it really is), they may be paying their electric bills (which are seasonably variable) and deferring rent or mortgage, which could mean them being evicted and thus made homeless. Durr.
Yes, there is need all over the world, but I see no reason for this man to ignore the need in his own community.
And I join in wishing him good luck with his wind turbine, also a wonderfully generous idea.

[Rowdyboy]

81. Census records for Anthon Iowa show a small, middle-class place

where plenty of people needed the help. Out of 280 households, 235 were $50K and under and they most certainly could use the money. Are they the neediest? Of course not! But this man freely gave to the people he loves and considers his extended family. What could be more positive than that?

http://www.hometownlocator.com/CityCensusData.cfm?StateFIPS=19&PlaceFIPS=02350

I agree, he should be admired-especially after I finished actually READING the article.

BTW....The feeding center where I work has NEVER turned away anyone-certainly, all donations help, but the programs are usually well funded-especially at this time of year.

And about job training for welfare mothers: The Work Incentive Network already exists and its primary function is training and preparing welfare mothers for the job market. It is a federally funded program in all 50 states and women receiving welfare are automatically eligible and usually required to participate. No donations are needed-the program is already in place.

[secedeeconomically]

85. Wow everthing is perfect I guess.

[zann725]

88. It seems the "message" here is...

the same as in Shrub's speech on Thanksgiving day to us: "We must remember to help out the less fortunate...the military families on our block, etc...."

Yep. Shrub wants to discontinue ALL social programs which normally step in to help those in need (including SS and Medicare), and wants "we the people" to give hand-outs to "those in need."

Right. Except you know how welcome people on the street corner are when asking for hand-outs.

Plus, this one set of "rich people"...clearly the minority...in a community economically depressed and without jobs (due to Repug planning and overseas policies)...would NOT have to pay the power bill for ALL if the other citizens were given opportunity to work and earn the money themselves...but can't in a Recession society.