The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Death Penalty for Poverty

Feb 16, 2015

In Hazel Park, Michigan, a 69-year-old Vietnam veteran, struggling with cancer, was found dead of hypothermia on February 1. Consumers Energy had shut off gas heat to the home on January 19–due to two months of unpaid bills.

Pretending to do something, the State of Michigan ordered Consumers Energy to send them a report about why this man died.

Yet Michigan makes it perfectly legal for profitable utility companies to shut off power in winter. Michigan shovels millions in grant money to energy companies, allegedly to help pay poor people’s bills! In addition, Michigan lets utilities collect a monthly fee to fund assistance to “low-income customers.” Where is THAT money going?

The cause of this man’s death? A combination of corporate greed and government protecting profits over people!