Electricity becomes the new gold

Just heard in the newsreport that a fifth part of our population here in Belgium can't afford to pay their electricity bill anymore.

It is true that the price of electricity and gas have risen quite a lot the last few years. When you earn enough, that's not so much of a problem, but for those who earn only the minimum it is. Even when they have to pay the lowest rate (they get a certain amount for free, while we have to pay for it).

The price of electricity is calculated in quite a specific way. You must know that the actual price for electricity and gas is only a small part of what we need to pay. Most goes to taxes and other stuff, like distribution rights.

A previous (socialist) government reduced the BTW (tax for the government) from 21% to 6% because they did not consider utility bills as a luxury. But the next government raised it again to 21%. Just reduced that BTW would make a big difference. As we now have to vote for a new government in May, we can only hope that the next group of ministers will do us the favor of reducing the BTW once more. Would be a nice gesture towards the population!

I manage to keep my utility bills on an even level. We don't heat over 21% Celsius and at night the temperature goes down, just as when we are not at home. I have a boiler that belongs to the newest generation and is extremely climate friendly. Cost me over 3,000 € but it is worth the expenses. Also we only light the room where we are. As for water, we try to save but not letting the tap run while we brush our teeth, or take a shower. I only use some water to wet myself, then turn off the tap and soap in. Only then I open it again to rinse of the soap. All in all it only takes about 5 minutes to shower.

The only thing I don't find fair is that the poor always get a lot for free. Like that percentage of electricity and gas. I think that when the government wants to make a gesture, they should also give us that same percentage for free (under the socialist government it was). After all, it are we who earn decently who pay most of the taxes in Belgium and it is thanks to us that the government has money to spend.