States Cut Programs Helping Families Pay Their Electric Bills During Record Heat Wave

[Donnachaidh]

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/07/23/276728/states-cut-programs-heatwave/

Budget cuts have forced thousands of poor families to go without air conditioning as a record heat wave sweeps across the country. Many states have been facing budget crises and programs that help needy families pay their electric bills are often the first thing to go:

Many states hit hardest by this week’s searing heat wave have drastically cut or entirely eliminated programs that help poor people pay their electric bills, forcing thousands to go without air conditioning when they need it most.

Oklahoma ran out of money in just three days. Illinois cut its program to focus on offering heating money for the winter ahead. And Indiana isn’t taking any new applicants.

When weighed against education and other budget needs, cooling assistance has been among the first items cut, and advocates for the poor say that could make this heat wave even more dangerous. <...>

More at the link --

[neverforget]

1. Corporations and the wealthy need tax cuts to create jobs. The people can

suffer and sacrifice for them. All hail the wealthy! :sarcasm:

We're a sick country

[OHdem10]

2. Businesses are racking up profits by laying people off. So much

for those Job Creators. I have heard this reported
on Bloomberg and Fox.

[katnapped]

3. They're useless eaters anyway!

Various conservatives say we need to start disposing of those making less than the median income so that we can bring that average up.

[kath]

4. More balancing the budget on the backs of the poor.

Is this a great country, or WHAT?!