Bush, Congress Turn a Cold Shoulder To America’s Poor This Winter

by Brian McAfee

President Bush and Congress nixed winter heating
aid for poor families 3 months after subsidizing oil
companies. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said "this is not
something I would be in favor of (using some of the oil
profits to help the nations poor). That would be the
equivalent of windfall profits tax" Bodman went on to say
that any transfer of oil profits to programs to help the
poor with heating this winter is not even under
consideration.

Some Democrats in Congress have attemted
to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP), but as of yet, to no avail.
Sen. Edward Kennedy has introduced bills three times that
would have helped poor families with winter heating but
each time they were blocked by Republicans. Many of the
nations 37 million poor are elderly and disabled, and
when faced with significant increases in heating costs may
end up having to choose between heating their homes or
eating, or wether or not to pick up thier perscription
drugs.

Exxon- Mobil, the largest oil company in the
united states, saw profits of 9.9 billion in their third
quarter was subsidized as were all of the other major oil
companies by way of various tax breaks given to them by
Congress over the past few years and when asked to give
back something to help the neediest this holiday season
they, and their allies in the White House and Congress
have chosen to take the role of Grinch. Kennedy, one of
the Democrats at the forefront of trying to secure help
for those in need this winter states " Forecasts of a cold
winter and high fuel costs mean that the elderly, the
disabled, and manyothers will be forced to make painful
choices between heating their homes and paying for food,
health care and rent-unless we act now."

Reuters reports
that "less than three months ago, the president signed
into law a Republican-written energy bill giving $14.5
billion in tax breaks and incentives to the energy
industry." The Republican sponcers of the favors given to
Big Oil may have to face some consequences next November
if a harsh winter causes loss of life that could have
been prevented. The contrast of the compassion shown to
oil companies, and the total lack of compassion towards
those in real need show the real values of the "Family
Values" party.

Congressional Republicans have repeatedly
blocked all attepts to rectify what is seen as a oncoming
chrisis for the nations poor. Sen. Hillary Clinton in
expressing concern for this issue said "I find it
outrageous that as the Republicans in Congress vote down
the heating assistance that we know low-income families
will need this winter, their oil company cronies are
sitting on record profits." Where is the true compassion
and true values, stay tuned.