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Proof-Variation7005 t1_j5ywlkv wrote

Reply to comment by Coincel_pro in What if we all just decided not to pay our February electricity bills? by WeakAndWeary

I think the fatal flaw in collective action here is that the people who advocate for it fail to realize how many people don't agree with them.

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Coincel_pro t1_j5z7k5z wrote

Do you think the majority of people in RI do not want cheaper electricity?

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_j5zc9ju wrote

Enough to risk having the electricity get shutoff, paying extra in fees, or their credit score taking a hit? No.

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Coincel_pro t1_j5ztmip wrote

Yes it is a calculated risk, what other pressure can be provided to facilitate change? Elections haven't done so, regulations haven't prevented it. When it gets to the extent that enough people can barely afford the service anyway then the likelihood of it happening increases.

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_j5zzfhz wrote

It's not just the level of risk on the individual level, it's that the reward is such a low-percentage pipe dream that it feels like a waste of time and energy (pun intended) to even discuss it.

As for how to fix it? I'd maybe stop looking for short term solutions to long-term problems. The volatility of electricity pricing goes way deeper than corporate greed by any one company.

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Coincel_pro t1_j60ao0e wrote

I don't disagree overall, but want to note that collective action is performed far far more often (for even lesser reasons) outside of the USA often to good result. I gave France as an example because they are particularly aggressive with it. It does absolutely get results but you need enough people to buy in. Americans by and large are too pacified (for lack of a better term).

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Love the pun btw.

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possiblecoin t1_j5zii8c wrote

I think the majority of people in RI recognize that collective action won't bring new, cheaper generation on line.

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