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Lux's avatar

I live in TN and one of the few things we've got right here is the TVA. It's far from perfect, but all our electricity is generated by a publicly owned organization. In addition, there are multiple member owned co-ops that provide the local utilities. My electricity provider is member owned. So it's not for profit, members actually get to vote on the board, and the organization is focused on serving the members. TN isn't the only place with electric co-ops, and not every utility here is one, but there are multiple in the state. It keeps electricity costs as low as they can because they're focused on serving the members instead of providing dividends to a bunch of rich leeches.

I actually work for a different electrical co-op and it is a fantastic place to work. We have excellent benefits and many of the co-ops around the country still have pension plans, in addition to a 401k. Because it's about the members and having excellent employees who are free to do their jobs, not feeding a bottom line so a rich leech can have a few more millions. When they do employee appreciation activities, I believe they actually mean it. Work is work of course and nothing is perfect, but I wish every job was like this.

I also bank at a credit union, and those are member owned. I think it should be federal law that all utilities and banking should be member owned co-ops/credit unions. It would be FAR better for the consumer. But the rich will fight tooth and nail to keep that from happening. It's why they keep trying to privatize every government service. There's money there that they can steal and their greedy asses want it, despite already having more money than god. Greedy leeches, one and all.

(And since I mentioned my employer, just in case, all my opinions are my own and are not those of my employer. I am a leftist and I speak for myself alone. I am not speaking on behalf of my employer. They wouldn't sue me or anything, but I wouldn't want them to get bad press in some insane world where someone connected this to me IRL. I actually like my employer and wouldn't want them dragged into anything about my personal activities.)

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Tina D's avatar

Lol I have to use PG&E and *Absolutely Love* paying for their mistakes. Old gas line blows up and they have to update infrastructure? Increase. Causing one of the most expensive and harmful fires in CA history? Increase. I figured out recently that they charge me $2.38 if I turn on my stove for like 2 minutes (could also be the hot water heater). That cup of coffee I made would have been cheaper at 🌟 💵. I don't say much stuff is morally wrong, but this feels like it is! I'm forced to use a service that sets its own pricing so that it can still profit even though they have caused so much harm. Capitalist love to use the free market idea but this certainly is not free

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