White House to Cut Energy Assistance for the Poor
February 10th, 2011In other news: U.S. Spends $20 Billion Per Year for Air Conditioning in Tents in Afghanistan.
Oh sure, Obama is serious about budget discipline.
Via: National Journal:
President Obama’s proposed 2012 budget will cut several billion dollars from the government’s energy assistance fund for poor people, officials briefed on the subject told National Journal.
It’s the biggest domestic spending cut disclosed so far, and one that will likely generate the most heat from the president’s traditional political allies. Such complaints might satisfy the White House, which has a vested interest in convincing Americans that it is serious about budget discipline.
I’m no longer a cheerleader in the stands for the Obama administration these days, but I have to say this article is not right somehow.
Believe me, I know all about the Weatherization Program and am sick of it already. But, if truth be told, under the Recovery Act, the Obama Administration “granted” about $5 billion (?not sure but a tenfold increase to each state)to the Weatherization Assistance Program. Bush had practically squeezed this program down to a nib. It was about to die. With all this infusion of funds, states and their weatherization agencies have been struggling to not only spend the grant funds, but to do so under the ways, means, and aegis of the Recovery Act.
While it is difficult to separate LIHEAP funding from WAP funding in my mind, let alone the public’s consciosness, I think it is a good thing that LIHEAP is being cut. I do. It sounds heartless but it is not.
To give the Obama administration credit for something, the LIHEAP program has been rife with fraud, waste, and abuse. I could say more, but let’s just say for now, I think its a good idea to cut funding for it.
No worries for the honest peoples who rely on LIHEAP for assistance. The utilities (at least in PA) cannot cut service off for non-payment for several months of the year.
I cannot tell you of the shame some people I know feel for asking for LIHEAP assitance. It is sad, truly sad.
I think the Obama budget will be worth something.
I for one would like to see as much attention being paid to the TARP as to LIHEAP.
Certainly, if there is a SMEAR campaign going on with all of the state weatherization agencies who give help to the poor, we should certainly be also putting out a Who’s Who list in the Obama budget of all the banksters around the whirl who got billions of dollars as well as all of the acts of fraud, waste, and abuse in that program. Dya think?
Sadly, no one seems to be minding the store on the TARP funds. We’re once again, going after the peoples. Not the Gucchi suited, BMW or Mercedes driving morons who don’t even know what their home heating costs are because the accountant pays the bills.
Clusterfuck Nation indeed.