States awash in stimulus money to weatherize homes

[babylonsister]

States awash in stimulus money to weatherize homes
By PHILLIP RAWLS Associated Press Writer


Jul 15th, 2009 | MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Ready or not, states are getting a tenfold boost in federal money to weatherize drafty homes, an increase so huge it has raised fears of waste and fraud and set off a scramble to find workers and houses for them to repair.

An obscure program that installs insulation in homes and makes them more energy-efficient is distributing $4.7 billion in stimulus funds -- dwarfing the $447 million originally planned by Congress this year and the $227 million spent in 2008.

That is enough to weatherize 1 million homes, instead of the 140,000 normally done each year.

President Barack Obama said pouring money into the program would lower utility bills for cash-strapped families, provide jobs for construction workers idled by the housing slump, and make the nation more energy-efficient.

"You're getting a three-fer," Obama said. "That's exactly the kind of program we should be funding."

more...

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/us/2009/07/15/D99F2PD03_us_stimulus_weatherizing_homes/index.html

[sfwriter]

1. I wonder if we'll qualify later this year...

Our income falls drastically when the new baby arrives.

[JanusAscending]

2. I wonder if that might include getting my roof repaired?

I am receiving fuel assistance from the state (CT) and am still waiting for weatherization which I've been eligible for a loooong time now.(I'm on the list) When I first bought my double wide, in winter, covered with snow, the roof seemed OK. I have no leaks other than over my tub in the BR where the sky lite is leaking. I only had enough money to do the front half of the roof at that time, and now the back half is leaking and I have NO FUNDS to fix it! Think I could get some help from them??? I'm a semi/ disabled widow, living on SS only. JA

[babylonsister]

3. Here's a link you can hopefully get more info from - good luck!

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/

[JanusAscending]

24. Thank you !

I've already sent a letter off to Hartford requesting help if I qualify.
Wish me luck, I'll let ya all know how I make out. (those that care,that is!) JA

[earth mom]

4. Not good enough. This program should be for everyone not just low income.

I can't afford to weatherize my home, yet my taxes are being used for other people's homes.

Why not allocate more to this program so everyone in the middle class can also get their homes weatherized?

:argh:

[babylonsister]

5. Nothing's 'good enough' for everyone, so I expect complaints.

You didn't disappoint, though I'm sorry you're disappointed.

[earth mom]

7. Oh, so some people deserve more than others? How VERY Orwellian of you.

Or have you even read the book?

[babylonsister]

9. All you do is complain. If this plan helps poor people, or people

poorer than you or me, I have absolutely no problem with that.

[earth mom]

10. And all you do is cheerlead. There is no REAL change happening. I am not going to pretend there is.

The reality is that the middle class is paying the bills for everyone else and they get nothing.

Not even health care which should be a basic human right.

I don't give a damn if you don't like what I have to say.

Run from the truth about Obama & the government all you like-but someday their policies and bullshit will bite you in the ass when you least expect it.

[babylonsister]

11. Call a whaaaambulance! You need one. nt

[earth mom]

12. That's all you got because you can't refute what I'm saying. Too bad you can't unwreck my post!

:evilgrin:

[babylonsister]

13. Nah, you're a bore. Now I remember why

I had you on ignore. I don't need the negative aggravation.

[earth mom]

14. I had you on ignore too, but I want to keep tabs on the crap you are posting. nt

[abumbyanyothername]

33. I wish I could get in a pissing contest like this.

That's just what I need to get to >1000 post status.

[trumad]

6. Yeah---your taxes are being used to help the less fortunate...

You got a problem with that?

[earth mom]

8. I have no problem with helping the poor. But let's help the middle class too-especially

because weatherization helps fight Global Warming. That is what I'm speaking to.

Or has fighting Global Warming been kicked to the curb by Obama like everything else?

Like gays, unions, the working class, women, and anyone who isn't of the christian faith.

[JanusAscending]

15. OK ...How's this?

You consider yourself "middle income" right? At least you have an income!! Depending on the size of your family, I'm sure you appreciated the stimulus refund you got this year? I got less than SS allows to bury me when I'm dead!! Do you have food in your cupboards and fridge? Sometimes I run out of food before my next SS check is deposited. Why don't you give the guy(Pres. Obama) a chance, and see what good comes your way??? When I first read your replies I thought you were a freeper lost on the wrong message board. Shame on you for being so petty. Do you have your health? I don't!! You are one whiny, selfish little brat in my book. Sincerely, JA

[earth mom]

16. Wow, do you paint with a broad brush! I never said either/or. I said allocate more tax dollars.

This is not just an issue to save money on heating bills, it's about global warming too!

FYI, I lived as the working poor for years and years. Yeah, things are better now, but my family has paid it's dues! We know what it's like to pawn our stuff and lose it, get check advances and pay fees for months on end! My husband has even given plasma for gas money! So don't go all holier than thou on me! I've lived as the working poor and I know how shitty it is!

Which is why I can smell the bullshit the Obama administration is selling all these miles across the country.

I wasn't born yesterday.

Those people in Washington DC work for US.

Never forget that!

[JanusAscending]

17. How wonderful for you!!!

and as Mama Teresa H. Kerry once said, "shove it"!!! (gotta love her) now off you go to IGNORE, because your not worth having a stroke over...OK selfish one? Buh by!!

[earth mom]

18. Buh Bye... no worries to have you ignore me at all!

:hi:

Just one less pesky fly to deal with.

[scheming daemons]

21. That damn Obama, the corporate stooge!

How DARE he help poor people!


What a sham!



:eyes:


you're fucking nuts, earth mom.

[LeftyMom]

35. The middle class can afford to buy their own insulation and weatherstripping.

[earth mom]

38. Wrong. I don't have the kind of money to put in all new windows on a 100 year old house.

Even a price break is better than nothing!

[LeftyMom]

39. Your utility may offer low/no-interest loans though approved contractors.

Those programs are federally financed. However the feds have no business buying windows for middle income people. There's real suffering going on and that takes priority over leaky windows.

[earth mom]

40. Global warming should take precedence over everything.

And addressing it head on would solve other problems at the same time.

Such As:

Job creation for the poor and middle class.

Less dependence on foreign oil.

No need for wars for oil in the middle east = Peace.



Face it, Obamas economic and environmental plans are piss poor at best.

Be in denial all you want, but it's the truth.


p.s. And I doubt you will reply to this post because you'd rather sling poo than discuss real issues.

[LeftyMom]

46. Incremental nonsense isn't going to do anything about global warming.

Massive changes in power generation and transportation are needed, ASAP. Wasting money on relatively expensive minor fixes like replacing windows would be silly. But it's the sort of silly, useless nonsense that doesn't cause anybody to actually inconvenience themselves in some way, so it would be politically popular.

And you're massively oversimplifying if you think ending dependence on oil from the middle east "=peace" Crack a history book. Nobody got along there before oil became a major concern, nobody will get along after it's gone. They fight over religion, mostly. Colonialism stuck longtime rivals in the same borders, which didn't help, and split other groups over several countries. Oil's just paid for better weaponry to threaten each other with, but it's hardly the main cause of fighting in the middle east, that would be religion.

[earth mom]

47. If that is true, then why allocate any money towards weatherization at all?

All it does is put a band aid on a gaping wound.

As for the middle east, don't kid yourself. The U.S. is in the Middle East solely for the oil. If we didn't need it, we wouldn't be there.

Let those people fight their religious wars; it's none of our business in the first place.

911 was MIHOP/LIHOP: a diabolical plan to get to the oil. Nothing more.

[Go2Peace]

43. I agree wit hearthmom, "middle class" does not mean money like you are thinking

I have an "average" income for the first time in my life, so I know what poor is. I finally have a home (1000 sq ft, old home that needs work, I live on a budget). I am constantly making tradeoffs, a lower middle income is just not enough to keep up. My house is leaky and inneficient, but I don't qualify because I make an average income and yet I don't have extra money because of expenses. So I will have to wait years to be able to do the work needed.

I say this not because I want anyone to feel sorry for me, I am fine, but programs should go to all who need them. It makes sense that food stamps go to the poor, but weatherization is not a "poor only" phenominum and the program should be distributed amongs all that need the assistance, period. Programs need to target where the need is, not a particular segment of society. Otherwise support will eventually dry up.

There is nothing selfish about looking at it this way. If you knew me I have always been generous with others. So please don't accuse me in replies of being unthoughtful.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

19. Oh, who cares about those overprivileged less fortunate. They get all the breaks in life.

[scheming daemons]

20. So... you're against ANY help for poor people unless you get the same help too?

How selfish of you...

[Contrary1]

22. I actually agree.

We're approaching retirement age, and have suffered financial losses the last few months. I have no idea what the final figure will be.

No way am I dipping into what we have left in savings to weatherize our home.

[scheming daemons]

26. Fine.. then don't. But why is it bad to help poor people do it?

[Contrary1]

27. I don't think it's a bad idea at all.

I just think there should be an incentive for others to do it also.

Edit to add: Our home was built in the early 70's. Old wood casement windows with lousy storms, siding with no insulation under it, very little insulation in the outer walls. We have had estimates for what should be done. It would run about $35,000. We just can't do it.

I do not have any problem at all with the poor receiving assistance, whether it is offered to us or not. I just wanted to clarify that.

[Go2Peace]

44. See my post #43

[prayin4rain]

29. Yep, I think the middle class constantly being ignored is one of the reasons

we are in the position that we are in right now.

[JanusAscending]

30. Think about what you just said.

Who ignored you for eight looooooooooooong years?

[prayin4rain]

31. ??? I don't understand your question ???

Did I imply somehow that I like W? I am not confused about who got us here.

[JanusAscending]

32. No...........it's not you,

I'm sorry, I'm just pissed at one other poster here, and laughing my ass off with a couple others at another thread I started. I'm getting slap happy, and the sleeping pill is kicking in!! So..I'm off to bed to be ready to meet another day of craziness on DU. Please, I didn't mean to insinuate who you are for , or not for..........oh shit, I'm goin' to bed.!!!

[prayin4rain]

34. Haha that's funny :D ... no problema here. n/t

[Gemini Cat]

36. "Your" taxes are being used to

help people who can't afford to weatherize their homes. The weatherization may make their lives better, because they might *possibly* be able to afford heat this winter. You have a problem with that?

[Hugabear]

41. You're middle class, right? Then suck it up and PRIORITIZE

If you're middle class, then you can afford it on your own. Why would you want to take away from the poor, the needy, just so that you can fulfill your selfish desires? Maybe you would have to give up a few things, but I'm sure that there are things that you can give up. I think your problem is that you don't want to have to make any sacrifices, you want to keep all your goodies, all your toys, and expect the government to give you a handout because you see other less fortunate people getting help.

[Go2Peace]

45. No, "Middle class" does not mean spending like mad

You sound young.

Listen, you have the argument here wrong. Programs should indeed go to those who need them. Food stamps should go to the poor. But "lack of weatherization" is not in the same arena.

"Middle class" for many is simply "above the poverty line" these days. I don't consider myself poor because I have enough food and can make my rent. I don't make a great amount of money though. That is probably the same description of the others posting here.

[Peacetrain]

48. Bull Hockey.. If you have to choose between eating and freezing, then you will get my

sympathy... because guess what, you will qualify.

I go into these homes all the time, working with low income families putting in 10 plus hours, and living in houses that sing when the wind blows.

[Rex]

23. Waste and fraud

hope not.

[ohheckyeah]

25. Well, darnnit,

we make $1700 a year too much to qualify. That sucks.

[JanusAscending]

28. And I make $60.00 a month

(from my SS benefits) too much to qualify for food stamps. So what's your point? I used to be middle class too, before my husband died, and I was injured on a job and can't work any more. At age 70, believe me, if I could, I would, but I can't!! P.S. Why don't you use that $1700 a year to weatherize your house yourself. For that amount I could get the other half of my roof done!! We are all in this together thanks to GWB. Let's see if our new President will keep his promises to the middle income folks. I bet he will, so let's give him a chance!! He did say "I've got it"!! remember?

[ohheckyeah]

37. I was just making a comment

not slamming the program. Gheesh. I'm going to suggest my parents look into the program. I don't resent other people using the plan. And I certainly DIDN'T slam Obama in any way shape or form.

I'm sorry you're husband died and I'm sorry you were injured but you know what? You're not the only one with problems. I've lived in pain from the time I was 13 and have had major back surgery that causes me pain 24/7. So, what's YOUR point?

And just because we make $1700 more doesn't mean we have $1700 to spend on weatherizing.

[JanusAscending]

49. I'm sorry........

I over reacted to your post, and you are correct in your reply. I was extremely upset by one of the posters who shows up as "Ignore" between your post and this one. I hope you understand.......JA

[earth mom]

42. All politicians say the same damn thing. You should know that by now.

:eyes: