A 93-year-old man who owed more than $1,000 in electricity bills froze to death Monday in his home in central Michigan after the power company restricted his use of electricity.

How could this happen? We’re all familiar with the question when something horrific happens, but do we ever acknowledge the answer?

We all wonder what someone else could have done to improve the situation, but do we ever look to ourselves for those answers?

It’s time we start requiring answers for why we have become a society that allows a 93-year-old WWII veteran to freeze to death in is own home.

An autopsy report confirmed Marvin Schur died of hypothermia, a very slow and painful process.

According to the MayoClinic.com, hypothermia occurs when more heat escapes from your body than your body can produce. Signs and symptoms include gradual loss of mental and physical abilities.

Many states, including Kansas, have a Cold Weather Rule, which sets conditions for consumers who are having trouble paying utility bills to avoid loss of services during the winter.

Under the Kansas Corporation Commission’s Cold Weather Rule, utilities are required to offer a 12-month payment plan for past due and current bills of people who can’t keep up and are in jeopardy of losing their power.

People everywhere are suffering and literally trying to keep the heat on and put bread on the table.

Those lucky enough to hold on to their homes these days shouldn’t be forced to forgo heating them.

The man had neighbors who regularly checked on him, which is why he was found shortly after his death with a utility bill filled out for payment but unsent.

We all need to learn to be more forgiving during these hard times. It would be nice if businesses in America started treating their customers with respect again, too.