OBAMA'S HEATING SUBSIDY/WINDFALL OIL PROFITS TAX NOT THE ANSWER

 

SULLIVAN * DEMOCRAT * CONGRESS  21st DISTRICT, NY

 

4 Aug 08

Contact: JPS 438 5230

 

 

                         SULLIVAN: OBAMA'S CONSUMER OIL REBATE

                    AND WINDFALL PROFITS TAX NOT THE ANSWER

 

 

Joseph P Sullivan, of Albany, Democratic candidate for Congress, 21st District, said , today, that Democratic Presidential candidate Obama's plan for the federal

government to provide voters with a $1,000 home heating subsidy, this coming winter heating season,  and to finance that  subsidy by a windfall profits tax on oil company profits, is not the answer.

 

Oil companies would  simply pass along the tax to consumers in the form of higher

home heating oil prices. Furthermore, by the time a new President and Congress get seated and organized, winter will be over. Obama's proposal does not address the other major source of home heating- natural gas. Regardless, the same result would occur: natural gas utilities would simply pass along any tax to consumers in the form of still higher prices.

 

So, what is the solution?  We are on our own and can not rely on government to save us!  Here are a few ideas to save heating costs and survive winter cold:

 

(1) Homeowners should prepare for winter now, and figure out how they will pay for higher home heating fuel costs. Conservation is a big part of that endeavor.

 

 (2) urban school districts should immediately return to K-8 neighborhood schools to eliminate fuel costs associated with bussing. Those funds should be reallocated to pay for costs of heating school buildings.

 

 (3) Schools and religious institutions, should prepare to serve as warm shelters for those who find themselves unable to afford escalating home heating costs.

 

(4) Government heat subsidy programs , such as HEAP, should be amended to require recipients to practice conservation measures, and thermostats be set with

regulated daytime/nightime settings.  Any recipients who fail to comply with conservation measures, and who persist in leaving windows and doors wide open while the heat is on, would loose their heat subsidy.

 

(5) Thermostats should be set at lower temperatures in all government buildings,

schools, religious institutions, work places and all public buildings.

 

(6) Break out the woolies and extra blankets.

 

In short, plan ahead, or pay (more) later.

 

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                                                                                            J P Sullivan