Edward P. Kennedy: Yes, Oil From Venezuela

[IndianaGreen]

Published on Saturday, December 23, 2006 by the Boston Globe
Yes, Oil From Venezuela
by Joseph P. Kennedy II

There's been a lot of controversy lately over whether Citizens Energy Corp. should distribute -- and the poor should accept -- discount heating oil from Venezuela while that country is under the leadership of President Hugo Chávez.

But those who have no problem staying warm at night should not condemn others for accepting Venezuela's oil. Rhetoric means little to an elderly woman who has to drag an old cot from her basement to sleep by the warmth of the open kitchen stove or give up food or medicine to pay her heating bill.

For nearly 30 years, Citizens Energy has provided senior citizens and low-income families with affordable fuel oil, gas, electricity, pharmaceutical drugs, and other basic necessities. Citgo Petroleum is a US company owned by the people of Venezuela. The oil it provides to Citizens Energy, the nonprofit that I lead, acts as a safety net for hundreds of thousands.

When our partnership with Citgo was announced last year, US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman praised the discount program as corporate philanthropy. "It's a charitable contribution," he said, "and I wish more companies did it." Charities like the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Muscular Dystrophy Association receive generous donations from Citgo, but no one is telling them to decline the gifts.

Meanwhile, oil companies other than Citgo have declined to share their record profits with those who most struggle to keep pace with rising energy costs.

In spite of the fact that heating oil prices have doubled over the past few years, the federal fuel assistance program faces a one-third cut this year, from $3.1 billion to $2.1 billion. Washington earns windfall tax revenues from the rising prices of petroleum products, but not a cent goes to offset rising energy costs for the poor. Nor do the poor benefit from increased royalties on gas and oil taken from federal lands and waters -- if, in fact, the energy companies pay the government at all.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1224-21.htm

[Zensea]

1. That's a hard hitting article -- surprises me a little

That particular Kennedy seems to have given up any political aspirations.
Otherwise I doubt he would directly state some of the stuff he does.

The fact is that many of the bluest of our blue chip corporations may actually be wearing a shade of Hugo Chávez red beneath their suspenders -- with one major difference: They're fine with socializing the risks of capitalism, so long as they can privatize the profits. As for the poor? They're decidedly on their own.

Meanwhile, in Venezuela, the president is socializing his nation's oil profits. Poverty has dropped by 25 percent. State-sponsored provision of basic needs like food and healthcare has expanded.

So, sure, we'll distribute Hugo's oil. Doing so is called compassionate capitalism.

Ouch

[babylonsister]

2. Joseph or Edward? nt

[Bombtrack]

3. You should edit the title, it's from Joe Kennedy. He runs commercials in New England every year

during the winter months advertising Citizens energy. I've gotta say they strike me as a bit unseemly on one level despite my across the board Kennedy-love just because of the way the commercials are acted out (Joe himself shown doing a bunch of outdoor heavy lifting and visits to preening old ladies houses).

I really hope he HAS given up his political ambitions just because of the way more people might point that out if he did run.

Again, it's just in my nature to nitpick I guess, citizens energy is clearly a good thing and we need more pointing out of the bullshit in the Chavez-phobic oil whore campaign.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Too late to edit

Sorry! We only get one hour for editing. My fault. :-(

[Judi Lynn]

5. Hope more states will join the 16 states, and over 150 Native American tribes

already contracting winter heating fuel for the citizens who need help.