Welfare Warriors
Winter 2007
MW Voice FEATURE
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Against the Poor
Winter
2007
Thank You Hugo Chavez
The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has offered free heating oil to poor families in the US. And I just received 100 free gallons (worth $232)!
Venezuela owns the CITGO Oil Company. The number to call is 1-877-JOE-4-OIL. In December I called this number and Joe Kennedy sent me one page of paperwork. On it I explained that my hardship was being forced to retire at age 62. I did not have to provide proof. And I was able to apply by mail. No time-consuming, humiliating “poverty” appointments like in the US.
Within two weeks I received a letter saying that I was eligible to receive a one-time delivery of up to 200 gallons of oil at a 40% discount. I had to order the oil by March 14. Meanwhile, my regular oil company had just delivered 168 gallons of oil. This cost me $422, half of my monthly Social Security.
On Jan. 30, before a week of sub-zero temperatures, I called for my Venezuelan oil. They told me that the first 100 gallons of oil would be free. Two hours later I received 123 gallons of oil. The total cost was $53.80.
Thank you Hugo Chavez and the people of Venezuela for my gift of $232. And thank you for treating me with respect.
Adele McCrank
Milwaukee, WI