BS: Cut price oil

Subject: BS: Cut price oil
From: akenaton
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:30 PM

Picture in Sunday's Times showed cut price oil being delivered to poor families in some American cities, courtesy of Pres Chavez's govt in Venezuela.

Outlets in USA called Citgo are delivering the oil.

Any Mudcats know anything about this

link

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:07 PM

Yes, the Venezulan national oil company bougth Citgo, which is associated with the national 7-11 Store convenience store chain. There was something about it on NPR back, I think, in December. Chavez said that Citgo would provide heating oil to the poor.

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Peace
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:15 PM

"President Chavez said his country's gesture was to bypass the White House and directly aid the poor, which have been neglected by President George W Bush, Chavez said. President Chavez's "gesture came at the right time," said Dan, one Quincy, MA, resident who requested his last name be withheld so that he could speak openly. Dan and his wife, who both work full-time, consider themselves working poor. "We are the new American dream," Dan said.

Dan, his wife and 10-year-old son, could only afford 38 gallons of oil in September, which the family planned to ration for only the worst winter weather. He said, "I don't know what we were going to do when it ran out." The family of three is behind one month on rent and survive mostly on rice, pasta and canned goods. The couple's combined take-home income earnings are $14,250 a year, and their rent is almost $10,000. They do not own an automobile."

What a statement.

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Peace
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:29 PM

The people in Venezuela are not rich.

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 11:59 AM

I think it frightens the hell out of the neo-cons when they see a left wing government providing for its population and helping others in need. I wish our own government would be as helpful to the poor as they are to the wealthy in America. But the poor seldom contribute to re-election campaigns and as we all are painfully aware, The United States has the best government money can buy.

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 12:06 PM

It's a bloody damned disgrace when this country has to rely upon others to assist our own poor. And I speak from experience about being poor.

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Peace
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 12:14 PM

"Money doesn't speak, it swears."

B Dylan

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: kendall
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 12:38 PM

Ever since the Exxon Valdez affair I have bought Citgo, Hess and Sunoco. I'd rather walk than make Exxon and Mobil richer. (As long as it isn't too far.)

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: akenaton
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 07:35 PM

Thanks for the info Bruce and Rap.

I had heard of this plan in December, but going by the photograph in yesterday's Times the oil is already being distributed .
I was wondering if any Mudcatters have seen this happening?

How are the poor families selected for cheap oil?
There seems to be a bit of an information blackout over this..Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Peace
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:11 PM

I understand there is an application process--paperwork. Depends on income/need.

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Wolfgang
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 08:45 AM

Chavez has an election this year and nothing helps as much as a little PR-gag. I doubt his 'sincere' motives to help the poor.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Greg F.
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 09:02 AM

I think it frightens the hell out of the neo-cons when they see a left wing government providing for its population and helping others in need.

Not just NeoCons and not just "left wing"- the Republicans go apoplectic when ANYONE helps the poor [except christian[sic] churches]- FDR had them foaming at the mouth as did Daniel Ortega and Castro & etc & etc...

Now I think of it, Franklin Roosevelt STILL has them foaming at the mouth, and he's been dead over half a century....

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: autolycus
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 01:37 PM

It's dreadful that this story has burst on the British Media scene with all the power of a grape.

Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: akenaton
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 03:15 PM

Just as a point of information Wolfgang, why do you think Chavez to be "insincere" in his wish to help poor people.

The votes of the poor of Venezuela were instrumental in gaining him his famous victory at the polls.

Perhaps you feel that his feelings towards the poor of the United States are insincere.    Why so? Chavez may hate the people who run the USA, as do many on this forum, but the poor are the victims of this system and administration and as such I'm sure Chavez views them as brothers and sisters in the battle against greed and inequality...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: Wolfgang
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 08:33 AM

Yes, Ake, I mean not in general but his feelings towards the poor in the USA. If he wants to spend the oil money on the poor (of another country) the poor of the USA would not be the first choice by any reasonable standard.

He does it for the effect this gesture has on his voters and if it additionally infuriates some people in the USgovernemtn that's a bonus.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 06:01 PM

Rapaire-
Sincerity, per se is often no indication. I suspect that Pat Robertson--and even possibly Dubya--are sincere. I'd rather have a benevolent hypocrite.

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 07:10 AM

Well, we can close this thread then - the oil price has lifted after the attack on the Saudi major refinery that processes 2/3 of their oil - and it wasn't even damaged!

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 12:57 PM

Akenaton, I don't know how they do it in other states, but here in Maine there is a low-income fuel assistance program called LIHEAP already in place. When the powers that be in DC decided to cut the amount of federal funding that it used to provide in addition to state funds for this program, people in this state were going to be seriously SOL. Chavez approached our governor and offered cheap oil, which was then distributed to people already enrolled in LIHEAP.

In order to qualify for heating assistance, one has to show proof of need and fill out an application.

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: akenaton
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:17 PM

Thanks Ranger, thats interesting.

Maybe Wolfgang was right and its all a PR exercise, but at least some poor people will benefit from this gesture.

Good luck to Mr Chavez and his govt. Lets hope the message of caring for others gets through to the people of the US.

Money isn't really the most importat thing...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Cut price oil
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:26 PM

Oh, I'm sure it is just to give the shrub a poke in the eye, but hey, if it helps the people who really need it, so what? It's more that "our own" are doing. Maine has one of the widest gaps in income between the wealthy and the poor, and most of those poor are working poor. So much for the American dream.