I was working on another, more profound blog until I just called Bell Canada to sort out what I hoped would be a minor problem.  You have probably guessed what happened... one department within Bell doesn’t connect with/ often contradicts another and the person you’re speaking to doesn’t have authority to make common sense decisions. ... Aaargh!!

Just so you don’t think I’m just venting, I’ll briefly describe this particular problem  (there have been very many more, frustrating hours wasted on various other issues).  Two years ago, we went from Bell dial-up internet to the newly touted, plug-in USB wireless stick.  We live in the country and although Bell is supposed to provide services equally across Canada, it does not in those areas that are not so profitable... like ours.  Anyway, we reluctantly bought their wireless stick ($342) and paid $95/ mth.,   which included “connection charges” and taxes for “unlimited access”.  Within the last year, we bought 2 new computers but found that the old stick did not work with Microsoft system upgrades, specifically Windows 7.  I called Bell on their phone line and one of their operatives suggested that if I entered into a 2-year contract for one of their new turbo sticks, then both the old and the new turbo sticks could operate under our “unlimited access” plan.  I got her name and identification number but it was of no use since I was subsequently billed for 2 turbo-sticks and told it was “impossible” that anyone could have relayed such information to me.  I canned the old turbo stick under vigorous  protest.  Now, out of the blue, to add insult to injury, Bell is sticking another $20 /mth plus taxes to my bill.  The reason?  When we let go of Bell’s lame dial-up service, we wanted to keep our sympatico.ca e-mail address since we had so many addresses on our collective lists.  We originally agreed to pay $5/mth for this privilege, which has recently  increased to $8.95/ mth.  Our Bell bill normally shows $28.95/ mth less $20 credit.  For March (coincidentally when we fought with Bell over the turbo sticks) the $20 credit disappeared and we are suddenly told we cannot have it!!  We are being charged, despite protest, $28.95 /mth for the privilege of using a simpatico.ca e-mail address!!!!!!!!

In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t just about a spat between Andy James and Bell.  It’s about the Power of major corporations/ organizations/ government and the Powerless of individuals , despite all the Liberty/ freedom / no taxes baloney that many populist politicians spew.  If you live within the Free Market system, you are not free.... you live and die by the rules of the System, just as if you live and die within any other system, whether religious, political or cultural. In talking with the phone representatives of major corporations – banks, phone companies, insurance companies etc – I have repeatedly ascertained that they have very limited authority... in other words, they are just the human voices that will soon become computer voices,,, that will simply deny and negate you. Even now, it's difficult to take your complaint to anyone in authority in a big company like Bell or one of the banks. What real choice do we have between our banks, communication providers, insurance companies etc?? Not much - they all provide roughly the same services at the same gouging prices and know you can't do anything about it. In those rare cases that they are taken to court, they will routinely drag their feet and outspend you. Why are we not frightened and angry about this!!???