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January 12th, 2010
06:52 AM ET
Suffering in the bitter cold: Woman who lost power now has hope
Last week, CNN's Rob Marciano was in Memphis when he met Jacqueline Mosley. She was freezing because she couldn't pay her $3,000 power bill.
We were there when the city cut a deal to get her power back on until it warmed up. Jacqui joined us Tuesday to talk about her experience being unemployed for three years and being without heat for almost a year.
To contact Jacqueline Mosley, e-mail: jacquimosley@aol.com
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If I got a free house with furniture, appliances, and such; I'm pretty sure I could find a way to keep the lights on without having to beg. Then again, I'm not lazy.
William hit the nail on the head. "Live within your means" (even if you have a job). The high temperature in Memphis, TN today is 62 degrees. What on earth does she even need heat for? Today where I live, the high will be 41 (if I'm lucky). I have a nearly full tank of oil but the furnace is off because I have a blanket. I will turn it on again when the temperatures precipitate its use. That is called conservation. That is living within my means. And that doesn't mean spending every paycheck as soon as it arrives. It means giving up the morning coffee run, the new shoes, and the nifty HDTV... so regardless of what happens, ones NEEDS can be taken care of as NEEDS are much more important than WANTS. Do we even know how she became unemployed? Was she laid off involuntarily, or did she quit without another prospect? This country is full of people who think they are owed something and deserve to have whatever they want, whenever they want. This woman needs to get off her behind and get a job. Then she can pay her bills and have the heat up to 80 degrees all year round if she wants. But my guess is that the unpaid $3000.00 began to accrue long before she was unemployed. While I do not agree that power companies should be allowed to turn off someone's electricity in the middle of winter, it seems they gave her more than a fair amount of time to make good before they cut her off. She made her chilly bed and now she must lie and shiver in it. Simple as that.
Poverty everywhere and anywhere is a crime. To the Williams and Harry Greaves of the world, Im sure you and your kind are well insulated and have never had to worry about such 'Inconveniences'.
Your insensitivity and callous ignorance is the type of ideology that keeps things like this happening.
This country, the world needs to take care of each other...its the humane thing to do..
Jacqui seems like a very nice intelligent person . But...I find it odd that a clerical administrative assistant cannot find a job. Especially in Memphis a large metropolitan area. You see one thing I know as an administrative assistant is that I always work. It may not be at the salary I want, but I can type and I do know microsoft office software and can work as a temp if I have to at any clerical job whether it be filing, receptionist, data entry etc.. I think there is more behind this story and managing her finances could be be one of them.
I completely sympathize with this poor woman...we have had to go without power for weeks at a time. My son, who is disabled, and me without a vehicle can't even get to the grocery store or to the doctor. I am having severe health problems and we have to go without power during the winter because Tennessee has no cold weather rule and will not accept payment arrangements. I am currently trying to save money for a vehicle so I can work and keep the power on, but it will take me months to save enough for a older van to buy. All the while the CEO's are padding their pockets and people are suffering. I am currently $2,300 behind and still need to save at least that for a vehicle...it's a nightmare and I have no family or friends to help.
WOW Hundreds of Native American families are suffering this same exact situation at the Crow Creek Reservation and when CNN was contacted with the story they didnt bother to investigate show you the sentiments of the anglo-saxan population
When you lose your job, you don't lose your possessions. Having stuff left over from when you were employed doesn't feed you or obviously pay the power bill. Complaints like this just astonish me that anyone could be so silly.
Ms. Mosley may God Bless you and keep you in the valley as well as on the mountain top. It was and is by God's grace that we all make it through incredible times such as you have suffered and mediate on "It's not over until God's says it over".
I could go on and on about the Greed in this country and the have's and have not's – but it just seems like no matter what happens, corporate greed continue to grow, and the have's are happy and the have not's continue to struggle – nothing changes, why is that?
All I can say is that I believe until we learn to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and stop all of this greed, and help those that are in need we are lost souls.
Let us all pray for Haiti and their recovery.
OK, CNN, lets see you post this story directly alongside the reports of what some bank CEOs are being paid. Monies that are coming from working class people tha are struggling like this lady!
sad that people are cold but the video of her home shows a home full of things that you just DONT need maybe instead of buying a whole house full of trivial things you should save money for heat i know its callouse but this is a grown woman its hard on everyone this is the america we live in and people like this just weaken the herd
this is to all of the female newscasters get off your duffs and go to haiti to help. you seem so superfluous, all made up and in your best duds,complaining about how slow the help is in coming. And please stop all of the negativity!
And we spend how much on aid to other countries?? Where are all the celebrities with their milions in aid?? Oh, thats right, the US Govt thinks its big brother to the rest of the world, yet turns its back on its own brothers and sisters, and I guess its not the cool thing in hollywood to help your fellow citizens, America's poor must not be as cool and exotic! I hope that people in these tough times get through it, if it means selling your house, downsizing, what ever the case may be, but to let people just straight up freeze?? How is that even right?
I agree Hati need help, but shouldn't we take care of our on before we go spending money outstide of the states. Another example of how we put others ahead of our fellow Americans. Maybe we should rethink some of our policies and help people like Jacequi before we go outside our borders.
I am glad to hear that this wonderful lady has her power back on. I just wanted to add that most people in our country just don't think that people have to live in those kinds of conditions. We do have people in our own country that have to worry about keeping their electric, gas, water on. And where there next meal may be coming from. And health care . The United States is suppose to be one of the strongest and richest. I don't understand why we continue to send money and food to other countries when there are people here that need help. I believe help should start at home before anywhere else. We as Americans should take care of our people first and when everyone here is taken care of then go to other countries.
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Further proof that we Americans tends to believe that true poverty only exists outside our borders. Growing up in the rural midwest, I know for a fact that isn't true. I've lived without power, I've had limited access to water so foul that it turned our white laundry red. I've boiled water to take a bath at night and I've gone to bed hungry more times than I can count as a child. Ask yourself, are you so certain that someone on your very block isn't suffering in silence because it's assumed such things don't happen?
Okay-–I want to see the so called Pitts and other celeberties go to Haiti NOW. lIVE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE MESS, NO FOOD, NO WATER , NO PLACE TO SLEEP-DO IT FOR A MONTH-INSTEAD OF GOING OVER THERE AND WALK AROUND AND LOOK AND KISS A BABY OR ADOPT ONE AND SEND MONEY....
COME ON HOLLYWOOD--DO IT !!!! Hey Al Shapten-go with them.
I know you all will disagree, but here are my $0.02. The news people found a case that would create this type of irrational sensationalism. The reality is that there are people that are behind several months on their bills because of a lost job. These people may loose heat or power in the worst time of the year. They deserve a helping hand. This women has not paid in a YEAR people. And $3000??? Where does that come from. Including fuel I spend about $2500 on ALL utilities in a year and I heat my entire house with 4 people living in it! It sounds like she was very wasteful and not attentive to her home at all. This women is just plain irresponsible and probably has been her entire life. I just caught up with her. She should stop crying and praying and sell her house to pay bills, live in a shelter until she can find work, then move into an apartment. A responsible person would live their lives within their means from that moment on. I know thats what I would do in her position. I dont have high hopes for this women, but I do wish her the best of luck. I only feel bad for the power company in this case.
I read the posting byt he alledged Thandi Zulu at January 12th, 2010 11:48 am ET.
Folks, DO NOT be fooled by that post. The poster is an imposter and the real Thandi Zulu was interviewed by CNN here is the link.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/12/31/home.scams/
And to CNN, please delete the Thandi Zulu posting before anymore folks get royally screwed.
Officials who cut off power during winter months should be charged. Elderly citizens have frozen to death after power has been cut off and the power companies are responsible. You would have to be a total idiot not to understand that if you cut power to an 80 year old they could freeze to death. Where are our prosecutors who will jail people for minor infractions and worse railroad innocent people into jail? Why are these utilities not being charged with manslaughter?
I work for the Clearinghouse on Disability Information in a major state. I speak to people in this situation (and worse) every day...EVERY day! For all the outpouring of support for this lady, there are thousands of people in straits even more dire than hers, believe me. Good, hard working folk who, for a myriad of reasons, have their utilities cut by uncaring companies, eviction notices or foreclosures by completely unsympathetic companies unwilling to even discuss accommodations or arrangements. Turned away for critical medical or dental care...even mental health support. Humiliated and shown the door by state agencies, unqualified for assistance from charitable organizations, broke, homeless, no transportation, jobless.
This story has a "good" ending because of the light shined on her by the media, but there are millions of others out there just like her, only with children, severe and dibilitating disabilities, credit shot, borrowed to the hilt and harrassed by everyone they turn to for help. Is there any empathy for them? NO! Not that I see and I look into this particular abyss every single day! Just ONE day's worth of what we spend on nifty missiles, tanks and ammunition would change the lives of thousands of disabled, disadvantaged, disenfranchised American citizens caught in these terrible times. If you REALLY want to help, contact organizations that DIRECTLY help this segment of our society and GIVE of your bounty, so that others can merely survive!
That's my nickel's worth. Be talkin' to you.................Webrydr
There are millions of similar stories in this country and while poverty has existed since the very dawn of humankind, we have mostly the last administration to thank for this current mess.
Ms Mosely, if you're reading this, I say directly to you that I find the way to handled your life as one of the millions of unemployed Americans to be perfect example of just how strong we can be when the chips are down. You do us proud.
What are we as people? How can we let things like this go on? I struggle with the same everyday, barely making it with less that 40 cents on my person.
This woman is an inspiration to me.
I could say something religious but I won't. I think they(the city) should all pay for her bill or get hollywood.
Jacqui's listed email is incorrect, I believe. I think I may have reached her at jacquimosley@aol.com
I am rooting for Jacqui. Because of her hard work, perseverance, faith and diligence, I hope she finds something that surpasses her expectations. She deserves that second opportunity.
My heart goes out to her and I sincerely hope she never has to spend another winter like this again.
I'm sorry that you had to go through such a terrible time. To live here in the United States Of America, one may ask the question how can this be. One of the riches countries in the world and someting like this happens all the time. God was with you through it all. He said that he would never leave us nor forsake us. Thank God for being with you through it all. I believe that this is your season and that God has someting awesome in store for you. So keep on believing in God and having faith. Like Maurette Brown Clark song goes,"It Aint Over Until God Says It's Over".
Marie
P.S. Thankyou so much for sharing your story. May God Bless You.
I too was inspired by this, she was so comforting, bad things do happen to good people. Thank you Miss J, I was about to give up until I saw your story.
These are the stories that should be reported on by the media so we could actually help and make a difference
Jamie
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I saw Jacqui Mosley's story this morning. I prayed for her as I was watching this story this is just a sad state of affairs that people like Jacqui are going through this. These are the type of stories the President, Congress and the Legislators of this country should see this is what this economy has done.
Women Lost Power
It is a shame this woman has had so much trouble and no power for a year. This woman seems very kind and caring and I think she would make a great home care worker. Just a idea for her.
How sad is it that a person like Ms. Mosley could be unemployed and cold, in a world where bankers are trying to figure out how best to squeeze another couple hundred thousand dollars into their paychecks that they stole from the working class people?
Good morning guys. Many tears are shed, but these tears are of a Good Spirit that dwells in each of us that know the Truth.
I am well pleased to see CNN cover Jacqueline Mosley's story. And there is a lot of stories like hers. I am also pleased to see the city of Memphis helping her. I will raise this county up in the image of God, the Father and America will be reborn into the Son's Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.
People will respond to Jacqui Mosley and help her, including me. I have already emailed her. She is an absolute inspiration. It is a shame that thousands of wonderful people like her are unemployed in our Country. Thank you for bringing us her story.