Something that would stimulate my personal economy & probably every one else's

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

would be if utilities were once again reasonable. I'm talking phone(cell OR landline), gas, electric, home heating oil, propane, etc. I can't believe the percentage of people's take home pay these items consume. And they are necessities.

On a second level because they are NOT necessities although we sometimes act like they are: cable television and high-speed internet.
Again, the prices paid as a percentage of take-home pay is just astonishing for many.

I'd like to see some serious government oversight and regulation of these particular costs.

[FlaGatorJD]

1. Perhaps if a whole bunch of us just turned the non-necessities off!

I'm seriously considering cutting off my cable, which has my internet, and phone, but I already
pay for a cell phone, and I have internet at my office.

The cable company and it's prices are my biggest pet peeve.

[ixion]

2. I agree. Utilities: gas,phone,electric are part of the public infrastructure

and should therefore be not-for-profit, IMO.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. I think landlines, home energy, and internet should be regulated, if not run by the government.

I don't agree with cable or cell phones - those aren't necessities by any means.

That said, I don't feel that anyone should be profiting off of basic human needs. And yes, I think the Internet has become a civil rights issue. It is the barrier for many people to the services and information that they need to survive in an increasingly paperless society. Furthermore, research has proven that children whom grow up without the Internet are at such a severe disadvantage in being able to obtain the skills necessary to find a job in this new, 21st century economy that to not have it in every household puts poor people in a hole that they will not be able to climb out of.

[meegbear]

4. Once again, another repug failure ...

back in the 80's "deregulation" was the word! If you deregulate it, it will create competition and the rates will go down!

That worked out real well.

[panader0]

5. My latest electric bill of $195.00 had a $55.00 fuel surcharge on it.

When I called, they said it's been on for several months. WTF?

[Enthusiast]

6. Energy production and distribution should

be nationalized. All utilities should be "not for profit" enterprises.