New Obama strategy: Beat up poor people

[ProSense]

New Obama strategy: Beat up poor people

To prove it is "serious" about the deficit, the White House proposes cutting a program that helps pay heating bills

By Andrew Leonard

The Obama administration, reports National Journal's Mark Ambinder, will propose big cuts to a program that provides energy assistance to poor people when it unveils its suggested 2012 budget. "The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP," writes Ambinder, "would see funding drop by about $2.5 billion from an authorized 2009 total of $5.1 billion."

The news is generating a lot of outrage from progressives, in large part because of a paragraph that suggests that the White House wants to gain political advantage from being seen as tough on the most vulnerable Americans -- people who can't afford heating oil during cold winters.

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. That would satisfy the White House, which has a vested interest in convincing Americans that it is serious about budget discipline.

Intriguingly, an updated version of Ambinder's piece changed the wording of the beginning of second sentence from "That would satisfy the White House" to "Such complaints might satisfy the White House." Do you suppose some of the unnamed sources who leaked this story to Ambinder gave him an earful after seeing just how angry the initial reaction to his infelicitous phrasing was turning out to be?

more

Outrage erupts. It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out.

[ProSense]

1. No comment? n/t

[ReggieVeggie]

10. So, what do you think of this?

Assuming the reported information is true, could Obama find something else to cut besides this vital program for "the least among us"?

[rhett o rick]

I echo the request. How does the OP think of this? Generally a big supporter of Obama

and the centralist agenda.

[hlthe2b]

14. That if true, this is one hell of a sick game....

that would make the Obama administration every bit as culpable and despicable as the most hateful RWer group.

I hope it is not true or that there is an unpredictable (at this moment) explanation as to why the consequences are not as we would assume.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. Claw back $2.5 billion from the banks

[Lorien]

33. Hell, all we'd need to do is tax their bonuses at a slightly higher amount. nt

[Rosa Luxemburg]

45. then why don't we?

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[leftstreet]

4. This is deep multi-level extra-dimensional chess territory. Clearly n/t

[WingDinger]

5. As was stated in another article, large increases in 2009 make the decrease

to levels as before is NOT culling the poor. Not that I condone taking it outta the poor.

[Mojorabbit]

28. It is though.

This is one of the coldest winters in a long time and more people are barely hanging on financially. There are a gazillion places that would not affect people this way where money could have been cut. Having families freeze in their homes should not be on the table when making cuts.

[Hello_Kitty]

39. Yep. A lot of people's situations have gotten substantially worse since 2009.

I'm in Phoenix so heating isn't really an issue for me but I may need assistance for the brutally hot summer and I hope I'll be able to get it. Otherwise I'll be spending a LOT of time at the mall.

[Hello_Kitty]

40. I'm sure that will make the cold feel much less cold.

Knowing that it's not really a cut.

[neverforget]

6. 2 unpaid wars for 9 & 7 years; continuation of the tax cuts for the wealthy; $700 billion

defense budget but the cuts are going to the poor.

[Skip Intro]

12. Amen.

[Lorien]

32. +1,000. we need to call them out on their sick priorities

EVERY day..or start walking like Egyptians.

[Obamanaut]

50. $23 billion in foreign aid (from accounts I've seen, the $ going to Egypt

did not end up in the cooking pots of the people), with plans to double it to $50 by 2012 according to campaign rhetoric. Those are some billions that could be used in the US - homeless, unemployed, hungry kids, roads/bridges decaying, and now the possibility of frozen people.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Disintermedia8]

20. Vewy sophisticated and cunning PR n/t

[Pirate Smile]

8. Let's see if this ends up being the story: In 2008-2009, heating oil prices rose. Subsidies doubled

for poor. Now prices falling. Subsidy falls. That's the whole story. Subsidies are a percentage of the bill. Prices drop, bills drop or Companies pocket $.

[Hello_Kitty]

21. Has the price of heating oil dropped 100% since 2009?

[sad sally]

9. Have you ever heard President Obama say the words "poor people?"

Or homeless people? Or hungry American children? Or exploited workers? Or homeless veterans? Or wrongfully imprisioned mentally-ill people? I can't, but if I'm wrong, please correct my incorrect statement.

[Pirate Smile]

11. Yep, he hates poor people. You've found out his big secret.

[leftstreet]

15. The poster didn't suggest Obama 'hated' them

The question was whether or not he ever mentions them

:shrug:

[Pirate Smile]

22. Right. No implications there. Perhaps hate is the wrong term. He just never bothers to give them

even a second thought. Sure, that must be it. He just really doesn't care about poor people so he doesn't bother mentioning them. Better?

I know - according to DU, President Obama's master plan was to become President to make rich people richer and screw over poor people. He wants them to freeze to death, I guess. Maybe a better explanation will come out but - hey - let's just always assume the worst and most nefarious motivations. When something with a better and more reasonable explanation comes out, we can all just ignore it and move on to the next outrage.

[tekisui]

29. Hyperbole, rush to the extreme, and label honest discussions as outrage.

Rinse and repeat.

[Amonester]

35. No, let's just Look Forward(TM), and Wait Until The Damage Is Done

Before We Object.

(not in the mood to add the sarcasmatic drain)

[sad sally]

16. hmmm, the word hate wasn't in my statement.

I just don't think the people I mentioned are on his or his Administrations mind - they are invisible.

[Mimosa]

36. Hmm, can't say I have

John Edwards used to talk like that. Too bad he let his pocket rocket rule his actions.

Does President Obama ever address the plight of the elderly poor, those who live on Social Security and food stamps?

[ProSense]

41. Yes

he has.

[Bluenorthwest]

42. What is at that link about the elderly poor? I see stuff about

making neighborhoods attractive to young people.

[ProSense]

43. "attractive to young people"

HUD's Choice Neighborhoods housing program, the Department of Education's Promise Neighborhoods antipoverty program, a crime prevention initiative run by the Justice Department and health clinics and mental health support coordinated by Health and Human Services.

[ProSense]

44. Still, here

is current information on LIHEAP aid:

HHS releases $200 million in emergency funding to states for energy assistance

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today the release of $200 million in emergency contingency funding to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet home energy costs. These Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency funds will provide states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia with additional assistance to pay heating and other home energy costs.

“During the cold winter months, heating your home becomes more than a matter of comfort,” said Sebelius. “The release of these emergency funds will help low-income families and individuals afford the high energy costs rather than force them to make cutbacks on other essentials.”

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home heating, cooling and other energy costs, as well as helping to weatherize eligible families’ homes.

The $200 million in emergency contingency funds released today are in addition to the basic LIHEAP funding made available to states under the continuing resolutions since October 1 totaling $3.9 billion for Fiscal Year 2011.

“Low-income individuals and families are hit hard by energy costs,” said David A. Hansell, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. “We are releasing these emergency funds to states to help meet the critical needs of vulnerable children, seniors and families.”

For a complete listing of state allocations of funds released today go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2011/fy11_liheap_funds.html

[lonestarnot]

13. How does Andrew Leonard know what Mr. President is going to propose in the

suggested 2012 budget?

[Mimosa]

17. ProSense, I'm assuming this is bothering you.

The poor in America are getting screwed. And I don't like vulgar phrasing. But something's deeply wrong. :(

[ProSense]

23. Why would you make that assumption?

More and more people in this country are poor or on the verge of poverty. What's bothersome is when people believe that it's better to leave them out in the cold than to provide more assistance in some form or other.

An increase in LIHEAP funding is justifiable.

One thing that's occuring is that Stimulus programs are nearing the end of their funding. They end with little fanfare.

The stimulus led to increased funding for many programs, and it's unlikely that these will be continued.

[tekisui]

24. In other words, a cut is coming. Just as if we had let the Bush/Obama

tax cuts expire, it was framed as an tax increase.

[RufusTFirefly]

18. No wonder he admires Ronald Reagan

Besides, those deadbeats can just use extra blankets like the rest of us.
The President seems to share Ronnie's contempt for the poor and needy. No wonder he admires him.

AP sources: Obama to propose cuts in heating aid

[Hello_Kitty]

38. The elite of both parties have contempt for the poor.

I give the GOP credit for being open about it.

[Disintermedia8]

19. An extremely clunky PR play.

WHo falls for this stuff?

[tekisui]

25. No one.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tekisui]

27. I should have qualified that. No critical or independent thinkers

fall for this.

[defendandprotect]

30. K/R

[Moral_Imagination]

31. Nice Post, but what a hopeless thread its become

The same people whining about the "cut" (Stimulus expiring) are the ones that have been complaining about the Stimulus for 2 years.
If it wasn't for the drop off they never would have heard or cared about this program. I bet this program hasn't been mentioned much less praised on DU for 2 years...

But when it expires OUTRAGE!!!!111111elevens

[CreekDog]

34. but the funding would be BELOW pre-stimulus funding levels

what of that?

[Hello_Kitty]

37. I'm sure the paupers will be consoled if you remind them of that.

"Sure, you're cold now but think about how warm you were back in 2009 because of the stimulus!"

[sad sally]

46. and don't forget, you can always huddle over a street vent or if you're

lucky and have enough gas, can run your car heater 5 minutes every hour so the kids or elderly spouse sleeping in the back seat don't freeze to death.

[hulka38]

47. Can Obama make up for the loss of liberals/progressives

with heartless bastards? He's betting he can.

[Raven]

48. Heat...food next. Gathering sticks next? Forraging? Good Lord!

[Justpat]

49. This is so like something Saint Reagan would do. n/t

[JuniperLea]

51. I'll wait for something to actually happen...

I'm about worn out just watching others in full tilt outrage mode, and I have to wonder what new rumor is in the mill before the cream sits out too long, you must whip it! Into shape! Shape up! Get straight! Try to detect it! It's not too late! To whip it, whip it good!

[politicasista]

52. +1. Most agree

They would rather wait and see before jumping to conclusions. Obama is the adult in the room that has to make the hard decisions, and this is the one, unfortunately.

[toddwv]

53. Here's a thought...

If you don't like cuts to social programs, how about actually getting out and NOT voting for people who have made it their stated agenda to not just cut social programs but completely and utterly destroy them?

[Major Hogwash]

54. Hahahahaha!!!!!!!! It was reported that Obama pushes 2 grannies to the ground and steals one purse!

Reverting back to his days of being a notorious gang member of the infamous "Hawaiian Howlers" gang from his days growing up in Hawaii, today at the mall where he was speaking, President Obama pushed 2 older women to the ground and stole one of their purses!!

Shouting at the top of his lungs, "Gimme up your money, bitch!", President Obama kicked one of the women in the groin and then warned the other older woman, "Don't mess with me, you ol' white ho! Give up the money now!"


Then Ambinder stopped typing and thought, "Naw, that's not catchy enough".

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!