Ameren rate request is absurd

Dear Public Service Commissioners: This e-mail was written to address my profound disappointment at a public company (AmerenUE) that would ask for a rate increase under the present economic conditions. The Public Service Commission should not even consider a rate increase for the following reasons:

Last year's increase of 7.8 percent was out of order when the nation was in the throes of the deepest recession since the Great Depression. The unemployment rate in Missouri was greater than 6 percent and headed upward at that time.

Now the unemployment rate is even higher, and the rate increase request of 18 percent is absurd. It is a travesty of major proportions for the Public Service Commission to even consider a rate increase now or in the near future.

The cost-of-living increase to the public is zero and will be zero for quite a while. The fixed-income people in Cape Girardeau are being asked to pay higher trash pickup and water tax increases, which are not merited.

All Missourians on a fixed income cannot sustain a government which is so out of touch with one that would even consider an increase of 18 percent. It's time for a change, all right.

A drop in rates is merited and should be considered by the Public Service Commission. Who is on this commission? Are they of the same mindset as that of the management at Merrill Lynch, General Motors, Chrysler, GIC and others?

It is time for the public to elect public officials with common sense.

JOE DON BURTON, Cape Girardeau