Chavez HELPING Americans?

[zelo]

Chavez has stated "We want to sell gasoline and heating fuel directly to poor communities in the United States."

If one sees what Chavez has done for the poor of Venuzuela, even those who can't drive, it looks like a very good thing. It also looked very good when Hitler came into power in the late 1930s when Germany's economy was still in ruins from its defeat in WWI.

What strikes me is "What is going to happen when CASTRO dies?" Very interesting to see what the Western World is going to shape up to look like after that event happens.

Anyways, getting back on topic, it is not the AMERICAN PEOPLE that Chavez (and the World for that matter) hate so much, it is the American Government (and I am not speaking of Bush, but rather the fact we are the largest nation in the world and can almost literally do whatever we wish to do).

Venuezuela is the 4th largest producer of gasoline to the United States and by calling Bush names (namely the devil :twisted: ) will do nothing more than hurt his cause/agenda.

Americans NEED to become less dependant on foreign oil NO MATTER WHERE IT COMES FROM. This can happen, and this is not the place to get into how but suffice to say one of the largest untapped oil reserves is off the coast of Texas/Louisiana/Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico and we are scared of how a rig might LOOK! There are huge reserves in Alaska and we are afraid of the environment (it took one man to screw that up).

Chavez, we don't need and we don't want  your help. We as Americans need to stand up UNITED and HELP OURSELVES! It is time we DEMAND ethanol, lower gas prices, solar and wind power. We are the strongest nation in the world and yet we get blown around like a balloon in a tornado... that is not right. And I hate to say it, but it is not the fault of Chavez, Ali Khamenei, King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, or any other foreign leader. And if you all don't know who these people are, they are the ones who are squeezing your cojones!

[admin]

Yes, Citgo does participate in relief efforts in America, but that does not balance the harm that this man [Chavez] does to international relations and to his own people.  Why do you think his own people have attempted to overthrow him on multiple occasions?  You have to investigate WHY Venezuela's currency tanked shortly after Chavez took office.  An also why US-Venezuelez relations turned sour immediately after he took office.  One you do you will learn it has very little to do with the Bush Administration and all to do with Chavez being a full-on Nutcase who should be placed in check where he belongs.

Citgo's donations are a nice gesture, but they are also standard, clever oil company PR and write-offs -- remember that.  The hand that feeds you should not also bite you.  Time to turn elsewhere and find a new hand if needed.

"Chavez, we don't need and we don't want your help. We as Americans need to stand up UNITED and HELP OURSELVES!"
You are exactly right.  We as a nation are finding that GRASSROOTS social organizations (i.e. Neighborhood Watch, etc...) fill in many gaps that federal, state, and even local programs cannot.  When I was a kid and our family went bankrupt due to my father's cancer, our Church spepped in and provided support for us.  We did not even ask them for it, but it was a real blessing.

[starofsd]

<Anyways, getting back on topic, it is not the AMERICAN PEOPLE that Chavez (and the World for that matter) hate so much, it is the American Government>

The only problem with this analogy is that our government is elected by the people.  So in effect, if one hates our government, they hate Americans.  As an American, I am tired of that comparison because no other country in the world enjoys the freedoms and opportunities that we do.  I would say there is a huge dose of jealousy out there in the countries that are dominated by dictatorships and strict ruling that does not allow people to live lives that are productive.

[ctwjr]

... no other country in the world enjoys the freedoms and opportunities that we do.  I would say there is a huge dose of jealousy out there in the countries that are dominated by dictatorships and strict ruling that does not allow people to live lives that are productive.

Anyone who is well-traveled knows this is the truth.  As much as we think our government is "messed up" it is really somethign to be coveted by the rest of the world.  They view our political spats as trifling.

The Chavez/Citgo machine is not helping Americans, it is geopolitical leverage.

[admin]

Anyone who is well-traveled knows this is the truth.  As much as we think our government is "messed up" it is really somethign to be coveted by the rest of the world.  They view our political spats as trifling.

The Chavez/Citgo machine is not helping Americans, it is geopolitical leverage.

I agree.  Chavez gets all the press of "Free OIL!  FREE OIL!" but if you actually look into the details of the program it is not all that impressive of a deal.  I did the calculations and the subsidy is equal to one half one months only oil bill.  SO if a person's bill is $150 a month, it would cover $75 total.

Additionally, SOMEBODY has to pay for the oil.  Since Citgo is a VZ State-owned company, Chavez is essentially taking away from Venezuelan citizens and giving to Americans.  On account of the fact that the average VZ citizen earns  less than a quarter of the average USA citizen, it kind of makes you ask yourself "Why?".  The answer is geopolitical leverage combined with tax write-off loopholes.

Hi Folks,

I have a strong opionion about this. My dad worked for City Service Corperation (Citgo) for 40 years. It was a people oriented company that payed good wages and benifits, with very liberal vacation time. He took early retirement in the early 80's after Occidental Petrolium bought part of the company. Unfortunately many employees of
Citgo who retired at this time lost a portion of thier retirement funds.

The take over of Citgo by Occidential Petroium occured in my opinion by a new corperate Citgo management team that ran the company into the ground then bailed out with thier golden parachutes. Because of Citgo's enormous mineral leases this made the company ripe for a takeover.

It was our goverment who tried to interfer in VENEZUELA's elections that led to Hugo Chavez hating the Bush family. No wonder he is reaching out to every crack pot leader just to piss Bush off.

If we look back in history many poorer countries have nationalized certain industries because foreign investors striped its resources away without returning any benifits.

[admin]

Hi Folks,

I have a strong opionion about this. My dad worked for City Service Corperation (Citgo) for 40 years. It was a people oriented company that payed good wages and benifits, with very liberal vacation time. He took early retirement in the early 80's after Occidental Petrolium bought part of the company. Unfortunately many employees of
Citgo who retired at this time lost a portion of thier retirement funds.

The take over of Citgo by Occidential Petroium occured in my opinion by a new corperate Citgo management team that ran the company into the ground then bailed out with thier golden parachutes. Because of Citgo's enormous mineral leases this made the company ripe for a takeover.

It was our goverment who tried to interfer in VENEZUELA's elections that led to Hugo Chavez hating the Bush family. No wonder he is reaching out to every crack pot leader just to piss Bush off.

If we look back in history many poorer countries have nationalized certain industries because foreign investors striped its resources away without returning any benifits.

Heh, blame Bush and America first.  I know your type.  Typical...

Your dad worked for Citgo back when it was a real American company, prior to being taken over by Chavez.  I am sure it was nice to have worked there.  You should really read up about what is going on NOW though.

Also, it appears that your point has nothing to do with the original post.  That is referred to "thread hijacking" and is frowned upon.  If you have an original point please open a new thread about it.