America is advanced for people who have money - and a terrible place to live if you're poor. There are reports now finally hitting the news where studies show it's a first world country for the middle class and up, and a third world country for everyone else. The UN has said that how we treat homeless people is a human rights violation. The only reason we don't have proper slums like most third world countries is because the police arrest the homeless and/or throw away what little they have by way of shelter like tents and blankets - in the freezing cold, even, in the middle of the night - and tell them to "move along." Move along to where? If they had someplace to go, they'd be there.
Every now and then we get an "encampment" where several homeless people have pitched tents together for safety, and the police "sweep" them and throw everything in a dumpster.
I am selling my most recent Steem and PAL earnings and going to make a payment toward the electric with that. Usually it is true that if you are at least making payments they won't turn you off. Usually I carry two months past due and am fine - three is when you start getting shut off notices, which is why I was freaking out.
It's always so wild to me when I watch BBC shows and someone talks about topping up the power meter. That just doesn't exist here!
I will ask for help if I can't see any other way. But thank you for being a listening ear when I needed to vent! <3