First, they're running yet another deceptive, manipulative TV ad in their PR campaign to end competitive shopping for electricity and lock in higher rates for themselves. In this new spot, AEP again panders with the image of innocent children. This time, the poor little dears are in a cafeteria line being served disgusting gruel by the lunch ladies from hell. The voice-over tells us that unless AEP gets its way, we'll all have to get in line, take what they give us, with no choice, and pay higher prices. And somehow, jobs will be lost.
The truth is, of course, the exact opposite of AEP's message, but they're hoping you're too dumb to notice.
The PUCO will issue its ruling on this issue on June 1st. You can still comment on this issue by going to www.PUCO.ohio.gov and clicking "File a Public Comment". Make reference to Case# 10-2929-EL-UNC. Tell the PUCO to retain its present market-based pricing rules.
Secondly, it was reported today that AEP has filed a request for revision in its 2011 Franklin County property tax bill. These days, many businesses and homeowners are doing the same thing, but AEP's takes the cake. Their downtown corporate headquarters currently has a tax valuation of $65 million, and AEP wants it decreased to $28 million, representing a 57% tax cut. It's the largest such request ever received by the county.
And just a touch excessive, don't you think? If you need more help understanding all the anger and frustration about corporate greed and the 1%-99% thing, look no further than AEP.
Below, a future Columbus public school student gives his opinion of AEP's tax-cut ploy.
AEP is, of course, ridiculous. As are any energy company, whether its rates or policies. Here's my gripe, the 1%er represented here is merely protecting itself from government policies. What is actually happening is Obama ("energy rates will necessarily sky-rocket"- obama quote) and his congress are manipulating energy prices through taxation and regulation, AEP and the like are simply passing the buck/price to us, the consumer. They aren't going to eat that money or they'll go out of business, which sounds triumphant to "the 99%" (which really represents maybe 15%), when the anger and frustration should be aimed at Washington where most of the world's problems are originated or at least exacerbated. That's just the other side of the story. Energy companies shouldn't extort its consumers, but the people shouldn't extort them through government.
ReplyDeleteI implore those, such as yourself, who want energy rates to drop (or at least not "sky rocket") to contact their representative to oppose a cap and trade system.