Northeast Democratic leaders react to Obama's proposal to cut billions in aid for low income energy

[Bluebear]

What is next, President Obama? After all, what is next??

LIHEAP has been semi-sacred for most Democrats and many Republicans--a program that carries an emotional resonance as it was designed to keep poor people, particularly older poor people, cool in the summer and warm in the winter. “A lot of people in the Northeast are going to be unhappy,” an administration official briefed on the budget said.

====


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. One White House friend, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), earlier today said a Republican proposal to cut home heating oil counted as an "extreme idea" that would "set the country backwards." Schumer has not yet reacted to Obama's proposed cut. On Wednesday, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., declared: “The President’s reported proposal to drastically slash LIHEAP funds by more than half would have a severe impact on many of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable citizens and I strongly oppose it." A spokesman for Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., declared similarly: “If these cuts are real, it would be a very disappointing development for millions of families still struggling through a harsh winter.”

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, would see funding drop by about $2.5 billion from an authorized 2009 total of $5.1 billion. The proposed cut will not touch the program's emergency reserve fund, about $590 million, which can be used during particularly harsh cold snaps or extended heat spells, three officials told National Journal.

In 2010, Obama signed into law an omnibus budget resolution that released a total of about $5 billion in LIHEAP grants for 2011. Pointing to the increasing number of Americans who made use of the grants last year, advocates say that LIHEAP is already underfunded. The American Gas Association predicts that 3 million Americans eligible for the program won't be able to receive it unless LIHEAP funding stays at its current level....

http://www.nationaljournal.com/whitehouse/exclusive-obama-to-cut-energy-assistance-for-the-poor-20110209?mrefid=mostViewed

[Starry Messenger]

1. Unhappy?

That's an understatement.

[Bluebear]

2. I guess when you're frozen you don't feel the unhappiness as much. nt

[Starry Messenger]

4. I predict fires and deaths from people trying to get heating.

This is disastrous.

Marc Ambinder describes the cut as a major step in a White House effort at "convincing Americans that it is serious about budget discipline."

http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/scocca/archive/2011/02/09/the-march-of-socialism-obama-style-if-the-poor-want-fuel-they-can-go-ask-chavez.aspx


Except if it is war-related. We just keep pouring money down that rathole.

[Bluebear]

5. Billions for bailouts of AIG, Goldman, but Obama picks on poor cold people.

Nothing surprises me, but you know me, I didn't get my pony.

[atreides1]

7. He's trying to look good for his pals

They want to cut programs that help poor people too...so he's got to earn his street cred and try to show them that he's with them all the way...

[Bluebear]

11. kick

[bobbolink]

18. Nevermind, ponies don't keep you warm, anyway.

[bobbolink]

16. I'm looking forward to being disciplined.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. NOT a good move, Mr. President.

Are you trying to reduce the deficit on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens?

What about reducing the deficit on the well-padded backs of our wealthiest?

Well?

I continue to be disgusted at the moves our President is making.

The edge of my support, where I will not compromise further, is getting closer all the time.

[Dappleganger]

8. Well said, I feel the same.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Thanks!

:hi:

[JuniperLea]

35. When he actually MAKES that move, I'm with you all the way...

Until then, I'll stick to Doralidina for my prophesies! She is NEVER wrong!


Good morning! I say what a joy it is to look ahead and show you the signs of your future. So much happiness is in store for you the most brilliantly lighted stars are put to shame by the brightness of your light! Oh, happiness what an illusive thing you are, but thank GOD you were born beneath this star!

Drop another coin in the slot and I will tell you more!

[corpseratemedia]

6. not Democratic, IMO

quit with the Reagan crap already

[StarsInHerHair]

10. he's going to get poor people killed, when will the ICC step in?

He's looking to be matching W when it comes to compassion.

[Bluebear]

12. A cold fish.

Truly.

[bobbolink]

21. More to the point, when will you and other liberals step up?

[StarsInHerHair]

44. you mean like protesting going to war against Iraq? or those other protests

where "officials" gave low numbers to get a 'psychological win?' I suggested several times under my KakistocracyHater name that at all protests there NEEDS TO BE SIGNS WITH VARIOUS ZIP CODES, and THEN legally accumulate signatures for ballot initiatives, etc. Plus I made an email addy that Conyers passed thru the WH fence, which probably just put us all on W enemies' list. http://falseeconomy.org.uk what they're doing WE need to do; also http://www.ukuncut.org. Tell me how I can help. There were only 40 or so PNAC members, so all we need is a similarly sized group of dedicated individuals who are willing to set aside any/all differences to reach a common goal.

[bobbolink]

48. There are a lot of things that you (plural) can do.

But, none of you will get active until it affects you personally... then you will throw up your hands because you will be facing the same isolation that I and other poor people face now.

I would like to remind you that this is NOT an "US vs THEM" matter.

[DearAbby]

13. Stealing from the poor

to pay for the wealthy (tax cuts) This is obscene.

[BlueCheese]

14. Wondering how Washington works...

Given that the White House has not denied this, and given the level of detail I've found in a few articles (i.e. officials talking about energy costs now and in 2008, about previous funding levels), it seems that the White House really does intend at this point to cut LIHEAP.

It's possible that this was disclosed by rebellious WH insiders who dislike the idea and leaked it to allow public outrage to build up, leading to its cancellation.

That's about as optimistic a scenario as I can hope for right now.

The other option is that the WH released this on purpose. To what end, I can't imagine.

[Bluebear]

15. I can't imagine either, maybe to show his GOP pals how serious he is

Gotta save money for bailouts and to hell with the poor.

[bobbolink]

22. He's too late.

We are already in hell.

Maybe he can come visit us.

[Bluebear]

24. At least it will be warm.

:(

[JoePhilly]

19. I want to see this proposal, in the context of the other budget proposals

There are lots of sacred cows. On both sides. This one gets Dem and GOP support in the north.

I wonder if putting a wide variety of the sacred cows on the table, you can force some movement.

As thing stands, when everyone wants their own list of sacred cows taken off the table. The table ends up empty.

I'm very curious to see where the entire budget discussion goes.

[Divernan]

26. Here's your sacred cow - the military industrial war complex

[JoePhilly]

29. Just one of many.

[bobbolink]

23. Right,, like there will be outrage on behalf of poor people.

:rofl: :grr:

[Bandit]

17. It is all right though because the wealthy did keep their tax cuts...

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: Soon we are going to get the trickle..

[blm]

20. Just realized that Obama likely KNEW Dems wanted this frame for the budget battles.

It forces media to LOOK more closely at the actual details.

As pissed as I am about some of Obama's decisions, I'm reasonably certain that this is more about framing a perception battle between Dems and GOPs on the budget.

[GoCubsGo]

25. Yep.

As Mad Hound pointed out in his thread earlier today, it's a trial balloon. He's done this sort of thing before, without actually going through with his proposed cuts, IIRC.

[Bluebear]

27. Yes, it's just chess and we can't possibly understand it.

:crazy:

[markpkessinger]

41. Chess is a good analogy: sacrificing pawns for the benefit of kings n/t

[Divernan]

28. Obama's announced he's proposing a 50% cut to LIHEAP

Read the NYT's story quoting his administrative spokesman. Another case of his premature capitulation.

[JoePhilly]

30. Found this interesting .... from the article.

"How many people, if any, might actually lose the assistance is difficult to determine. Officials were quick to point out that LIHEAP spending has grown significantly over the past several years as the government tried to keep up with rising gas prices. In 2008, the government spent $2.6 billion on LIHEAP. In 2009, the figure jumped to $8.1 billion. So the cut from that high level restores LIHEAP to something close to where it was before Obama took office. Other circumstances, such as the weather and fuel prices, could affect the distribution of benefits."

[JuniperLea]

31. GLOOM! DOOM! STARVE! FREEZE! Oh, maybe just a little... we really don't know...

We've pumped a lot of cashola into this machine... blah blah blah... whip to a froth and half bake.

[JoePhilly]

32. When asked my politics ... I think I need to start saying "anti-knee jerk"

[JuniperLea]

34. Good call...

I think that's far better than OMG WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE.

I'll probably want to see and hear it said out loud too. Print has let me down so many effing times.

[JoePhilly]

36. +1

[Scruffy1]

39. Shit-it would last the pentagon four days

The US military alone consumes over 130 million barrels a year. Not to mention the 40 billion in tax breaks to big oil,the 15% rate given to billionaire hedge funders. There is no excuse for this blatant neo-con ass licking in my opinion.

[tekisui]

43. A cut is a cut. What good is staying warm last year, only to freeze next year?

[Odin2005]

33. Obama = Reagan.

:puke:

[JoePhilly]

37. Which Reagan the actual one or the mythical one???

Guess Obama gave illial immigrants AMNESTY ... no.

Guess he raised taxes in the middle class ... no.

Started a new war ... no.

Saved the auto industry ... no.

Gave women equal pay, no.

Stem cell funding, Nancy wishes ... again no.

How exactly are they the same?

[NutmegYankee]

38. Nah, Reagan actually raised taxes when needed...

[BlueCheese]

40. From Gibbs' press gaggle today

Most of the questions had to do with Egypt, but there were a couple about the budget. This is as close as anyone got to this issue:

Q What about decisions like on heating assistance? Can you talk about the difficultly of balancing those kind of decisions with the investments you’re calling for?

MR. GIBBS: Well, without getting into specifics, obviously we, as Jack said in his op-ed over the weekend, we’re going to have to make some tough decisions and that will sometimes -- that’s going to include programs that are important to everybody. But we know that we’re going to have to make some of those tough decisions.

Not exactly a denial.

[Bluebear]

42. "tough decisions" means for the poor. nt

[krispos42]

45. Your tax cuts at work

[Bluebear]

46. +

[Jamastiene]

47. +1

[Poboy]

49. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours