”We are not a shill for anyone in this,” claimed Steve Schwadron, chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Delahunt who’s just concluded an oil-for-loyalty deal with Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, in the first-ever brazen effort to buy political influence through cheap oil to the underclass through the offices of willing U.S. Congressman.

The real story on this gamy political deal to buy political influence in the U.S., and the dangerous implications for Venezuela’s democracy can be read in this spectacular expose by a Venezuelan oil director here.

Meanwhile, the depth of Venezuela’s own poverty can be seen in photos here and here. Note the sentiment of the Venezuelan bloggers to this oil-for-loyalty political spoils giveaway.