by Rosemarie Jackowski

03-08-08 We in New England should express gratitude to President Chavez for his generous contribution of heating oil -- some free and some discounted -- to the people during past winter heating seasons.
Here, in the northern part of our country, winter temperatures often fall well below zero. Many citizens have suffered not only discomfort, but also health problems related to the inadequate heating of their homes. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has received testimony that some of his constituents have had to chop up their furniture to use for fuel -- that was during last winter. Worse is predicted for next winter.

During the recent congressional hearings on the cost of heating oil, testimony was given stating that people will freeze to death in New England during the upcoming winter heating season. Testimony also was given to explain the cause of the rapid increase in the cost of oil. Several expert witnesses testified that a large portion -- maybe 70 % -- of the increase was due to commodity futures speculators.
Some might suggest that the logical solution to the problem would be to arrest the speculators, nationalize the oil companies, increase auto efficiency to 50 mpg, and move toward wind, solar and tidal energy sources. None of those efforts will be timely enough to save the lives that will be in jeopardy this winter.

The time has come for a hero to emerge. Maybe it will again be President Chavez. Maybe the Vermont Legislature will negotiate a bulk price for oil from Citgo. The oil could then be distributed to Vermont oil dealers who are also suffering. Will the Vermont legislators save us from the policies that have led the United States to this long, dark winter, or is that expecting too much from our leaders?
Our president has access to more money than President Chavez does. Unfortunately, President Bush's priorities are not as humanitarian at those of the Venezuelan president. Our president and the US Congress have gotten us entangled in a rather gruesome situation in Iraq. It looks like we will be spending all of our money for generations to come on weapons. That brings up another problem. Many in Vermont cannot afford health care. Please, someone tell Castro that we need doctors over here.

In appreciation of the generous foreign aid sent to the people of New England from Venezuela, I have been passing the word to everyone I know. I have been asking them to buy only Citgo gasoline.
I admire the people of Venezuela who were smart enough to vote for Chavez. Maybe some of them would be willing to come up here and help us run an election in November. Right now it looks like we need a lot of help.

Rosemarie Jackowski lives in Bennington.