Record Number Need Heating Help (not just the poorest of the poor)

[rodeodance]

Seems like so many many many things are neglected in this country as we continue to spend billions on an unnessary war!! The immorality of it all--a theme the Dems should make loud noices about!!

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/121204K.shtml

Record Number Need Heating Help
By Barbara Hagenbaugh
USA Today

Friday 10 December 2004

Washington - Demand for heating assistance from low-income households is expected to jump to the highest level in two decades this winter, putting a significant strain on government and charitable groups, according to state energy directors.

The National Energy Assistance Directors' Association (NEADA) estimates the number of households receiving heating bill aid will rise 5.3% to 5.1 million this winter. That's up from a 4.7% gain last year and the highest level since the 1980s.

NEADA attributes the rise to higher bills and an increase in poverty. The government says the winter tab for households that use heating oil is expected to be up an average 34% from a year ago, while those that use natural gas can expect a 9% rise. The Census Bureau earlier this year said the number of Americans in poverty rose 1.3 million to 35.9 million in 2003.

Not everyone who needs assistance will be able to be served this year, NEADA Executive Director Mark Wolfe says. He says energy costs have risen so quickly that many families who never had trouble in the past are struggling.

"This is not just the poorest of the poor," he says.
.......

[Aunt Anti-bush]

1. He's right when he says:

"This is not just the poorest of the poor," he says.

We're in dire straights right now. We're praying the heating fuel wont run out before we can save up enough to get the tank filled. We make too much to qualify for any type of help and realistically, we should be living pretty well, but the bills just keep going up and up and up. The American dream is becoming my worst nightmare.

[noamnety]

2. I heard a muffled scream from my husband tonight

He opened the heating bill, and it was over $100 - and it hasn't even been cold here yet. I thought at first it was a scream about how we were wasting heat (taking too long showers maybe) but he said no, it was just that the cost went up.

We can handle it okay in our budget, but it definitely caught him off guard. A lot of people are going to be wearing sweaters to bed this year.

[tandot]

3. People with "moral values" give a sh*t about the needy and poor

WWJD??? Well...according to Republicans, Jesus would take money away from the poor to give huge tax cuts to the ultra rich and wealthy corporations...he would give a sh*t about children,the elderly, or the sick dying because of lack of health insurance. He would abolish Social Security (people should work until they croak), destroy the environment...and...he would be totally in favor of starting a war based on lies and the killing tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis and thousands of our boys and girls in his name...