I went online to find a phone number for the heating oil company in the NYT story so I could call them tomorrow, and I discovered a lot of people have already called. The Sun Journal of Maine is reporting* that Hometown Energy in Dixfield, Maine got calls from all over the country on Saturday, pledging donations that totaled almost six figures in just one day. They are setting up a trust fund for the Hartfords and others like them.
Our government may suck, but we are still good people.
*”‘America has a heartbeart:’ Donations pour in for home heat,” by Erin Cox
Embattled Farmers 
The government may have a lot to improve and to change. Change is good, but what’s important is change for the improvement of the people.