Many are complaining about the PEI program to help deal with the increasing cost of energy. Their main complaint is that there is too much conservation and not enough subsidy. What about the poor and what about renters?
Indonesia subsidize energy as well. 30% of the national budget is consumed by the subsidy. Result is of course rampant use and no chance of reducing consumption.
Rome subsidized food. Result drove agriculture into the ground and was a key driver for the ultimate collapse of the Empire.
EI was introduced to help people in need but has become a way of life where 30% of Islanders expect to be looked after by the rest permanently and through generations. A major energy subsidy would add to a growing culture where larger numbers of people expect to take no responsibility for their lives and expect to be looked after by those that do.
I have to say that I am fed up with this view of life.
The majority who say they cannot afford to cope with higher cost energy smoke a pack a day. That is $3,600 a year. Many buy $20 dollars of loto tickets a month - $240 a year. Many have cable of say $40 a month. That is another $480. It's all about choices folks.
PEI is one of the few societies that has a chance of breaking free from a dependency on oil. If we subsidize energy, we will never have that choice and we will all be slaves.
It's all about choices
