Detroit cuts off water for non-payment, protest ensues

[Texashiker]

Nearly 150,000 people in Detroit are behind on their water bills. When services are cut off for non-payment people protest at city hall saying access to water is a basic human right.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-detroit-water-20140629-story.html#page=1

Protesters rally against water shutoffs outside the Detroit water department in May. The group chanted, "Water is a human right."

the High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose experts said that Detroit was violating international standards by cutting off access to water. "When there is genuine inability to pay, human rights simply forbids disconnections,"

Isn't Detroit bankrupt? Yet people are demanding free water?

Do people not see the correlation between services and paying your bills? If someone can not pay their bills the city can not recover their expenses.

I bet those people protesting voted democrat.

 

[nickbits]

duplicate thread http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2389398

 

[Texashiker]

duplicate thread http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2389398

Sorry, did not see the original thread.

 

[boomerang]

Residents are upset because the government is not subsidizing their water usage.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/06/23/nearly-half-of-detroit-water-customers-cant-pay-their-bill/

Water department spokeswoman Curtrise Garner says it’s a possibility — but for now, the water bills must be paid.

“We do have programs that do help those that are just totally in need; can’t afford it — but we also know that there are also people who can’t afford it would can not pay and we know this because, once we shut water off, the next day they are in paying the bill in full. So we do know that that has become a habit as well,” said Garner.

The U.N. is involved so it's all going to be good. Before it's over, the government will be paying all of our water bills.

 

[Sonikku]

Why should water be free? At a dollar a bottle it's more valuable than most soda's.

 

[piasabird]

This is a common practice for people who don't think they need to pay their bills. You need to have priorities. Booze and Cigarettes and Cable TV and Internet comes after Water.

In some cities if you don't pay your water bill they condemn the property and kick you out.

 

[Oldgamer]

I agree that people must pay their bills, but this case is a bit different where you have a very poor portion of that city where people are unable to find employment. In addition do you want disease to spread? Because without running water in most cases if you your dealing with a large portion of people in an area, disease can become a problem due to the lack of water. I know where I live, poor people can apply for subsidization and help with paying for water and electricity. Anyway, I think it's dumb what they are doing shutting off thousands of residents water.

 

[alzan]

Nearly 150,000 people in Detroit are behind on their water bills. When services are cut off for non-payment people protest at city hall saying access to water is a basic human right.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-detroit-water-20140629-story.html#page=1




Isn't Detroit bankrupt? Yet people are demanding free water?

Do people not see the correlation between services and paying your bills? If someone can not pay their bills the city can not recover their expenses.

I bet those people protesting voted democrat.

Yet another "I see an opportunity to bash Democrats" thread, even though he doesn't know the protestor's party affiliation.

I'm shocked I tell you, shocked!!

 

[Texashiker]

Yet another "I see an opportunity to bash Democrats" thread, even though he doesn't know the protestor's party affiliation.

I'm shocked I tell you, shocked!!

Yea, saying democrats are looking for handouts is like saying the sky is blue. It is stating the obvious.

 

[alzan]

Yea, saying democrats are looking for handouts is like saying the sky is blue. It is stating the obvious.

Sorry, fail. I'm a registered Democrat and have never looked for handouts.

 

[glenn1]

Sorry, fail. I'm a registered Democrat and have never looked for handouts.

For yourself maybe.

 

[nehalem256]

Sorry, fail. I'm a registered Democrat and have never looked for handouts.

Probably because your liberal comrades are so good at keeping them coming :sneaky:

 

[Texashiker]

Sorry, fail. I'm a registered Democrat and have never looked for handouts.

Name a long held democrat state or even city that does not have some kind of excessive welfare program.

Whether it is large pension programs (detriot and new jersey), or welfare to low income families, or people demanding the government subsidize some kind of service, democrat controlled areas lead the nation in subsidizes and welfare.

It recently came out new jersey is looking at a budget shortfall reaching into the billions because of unfunded pension programs. Democrats wanted to raise taxes, Christie vetoed the new taxes.

Detroit and this water issue. Well, Detroit in general.

San Francisco has the largest numbers of homeless people in the nation.

Liberals living in Austin are complaining their taxes going up, even though the liberals voted for every new program from parks to a new light rail.

 

[alzan]

Taxes are the price of living in a civilized society.

But don't let that stop the democrat bash circle-jerk.

Be sure to clean yourselves up when done.

 

[Texashiker]

Taxes are the price of living in a civilized society.

Where did I say I was opposed to taxes?

 

[alzan]

Where did I say I was opposed to taxes?

You didn't, but this:

Name a long held democrat state or even city that does not have some kind of excessive welfare program.

Whether it is large pension programs (detriot and new jersey), or welfare to low income families, or people demanding the government subsidize some kind of service, democrat controlled areas lead the nation in subsidizes and welfare.

It recently came out new jersey is looking at a budget shortfall reaching into the billions because of unfunded pension programs. Democrats wanted to raise taxes, Christie vetoed the new taxes.

Detroit and this water issue. Well, Detroit in general.

San Francisco has the largest numbers of homeless people in the nation.

Liberals living in Austin are complaining their taxes going up, even though the liberals voted for every new program from parks to a new light rail.

suggests that you think democrats and/or liberals are the only people vote for and want new or increased taxes.

 

[nehalem256]

Taxes are the price of living in a civilized society.

But don't let that stop the democrat bash circle-jerk.

Be sure to clean yourselves up when done.

So is paying your water bills.

 

[Zebo]

We are turning into a third world country - UN has to bring our residents water while we give trillions to banks? This country has become a joke.

 

[smackababy]

We are turning into a third world country - UN has to bring our residents water while we give trillions to banks? This country has become a joke.

Yeah! How dare we expect people to pay a meager amount of money for treating their water to ensure it is safe to drink and maintaining the lines that facilitate it to their house! The outrage!

 

[alien42]

Yea, saying democrats are looking for handouts is like saying the sky is blue. It is stating the obvious.

and how about all those farm subsidies, you think they are going to democrats as well?

it's like saying you're ignorant and full of hate, it is stating the obvious.

 

[smackababy]

and how about all those farm subsidies, you think they are going to democrats as well?

it's like saying you're ignorant and full of hate, it is stating the obvious.

Farm subsidies (at least, corn) serves a purpose. It creates an environment where in the event of some global crisis where food imports are no longer available, the US has the ability to produce enough to feed it's people. The government ensures this, and as a byproduct, corn is super cheap and used for everything.

 

[Zebo]

Yeah! How dare we expect people to pay a meager amount of money for treating their water to ensure it is safe to drink and maintaining the lines that facilitate it to their house! The outrage!

Since you cant live off the land anymore (homesteading) and are forced into cities I think basics of life should be free.

may disagree thats fine.

 

[Texashiker]

You didn't, but this:

I do not mind paying taxes as long as those taxes go to the collective good.

Health care, roads, bridges, infrastructure,,,,, stuff that all of society can benefit from.

Paying someones water bill is not my responsibility.

We are turning into a third world country - UN has to bring our residents water while we give trillions to banks? This country has become a joke.

The federal reserve can dump $85 billion a month into the bond market, but we have people who do not have access to water or access to health care.

Something is seriously wrong with this nation.

 

[Zaap]

Why should water be free? At a dollar a bottle it's more valuable than...

Gasoline.

 

[smackababy]

Since you cant live off the land anymore (homesteading) and are forced into cities I think basics of life should be free.

may disagree thats fine.

You can think that, but the reality is that in the US, water is completely subsidized by the government, although it largely is. The treatment and distribution of clean water is maintained by municipality in most areas. There is a small charge associated with this. And this isn't a case of "a person is a few days late, shut off their water", but rather a "this person hasn't paid a dime in 6 months, shut off their water." Had they hit hard times and couldn't afford the entire bill, I'm sure partial payment would keep the water flowing. However, it is telling that a good amount simply pay in full the next day to get it back on. That seems like they are gaming the system for as long as they can.