free cell phone for the poor

[marine4003]

my monthly cell bill averages 3-4 hundred..BUT..If i go to this website..fill out some paperwork...no more bill and YOU pay for my phone(s)..THANKS!!
http://www.ihatethemedia.com/cell-ph...-homeless-scam

[seapower]

You could just stop working, get onto the system and WE would provide you with one. Since when is a cell phone a right? Frank

[seapower]

That's the one!!!! I read the application. I gagged when I read the word "benifit's"! I alway's thought a "benifit" was something you had to earn. Guess I'm behind the curve again. Frank

[Glenn W]

Ok guys, before you start ragging on everything from Obama---- to welfare--- to Democrats--- to everything you don't like in our society, understand a few facts about this:
These subsidized cell phone plans are paid for under what is known as the Federal Universal Service Fund. This fund was created under the Reagan administration to provide a "universal" telephone network across the country. It came about as as result of the divestiture of AT&T and competition for long distance phone service ( the fear was that local phone service rates would increase dramatically with the advent of competition for long distance phone service ( which they did). This was all before cell phones.
This fund is paid for by a Federally mandated charge on every telephone bill ( landline and cell phone) as directed by the FCC under Reagan. As we all know, the telecommunications industry and market has changed dramatically since the 1980's. During the last few years, the cell phone carriers have lobbied State and Federal regulators to allow cell phone service to be eligible for universal service subsidies (obviously, this was originally limited to land lines as cell phones were not in existance when the fund was created).
Cell phone companies want to be included in the program as is provides great revenue to them.
Finally, most states allow cell phone service to participate in the universal service fund subsidies, but some do not.
So, we see that these "welfare" cell phones are not a result of Obama, but rather Ronald Regan. The idea may have been a good one in the 1980's, but due to changes in technology, the market struture of telecommunications, and lobbying from cell phone providers, things are much different today than 20 years ago. The ultimate decision on allowing cell phone service to participate in the universal service program is left to individual states, not the Federal Government.
Personally, I think the entire program is outdated and should be abolished, but I don't see it happening in my lifetime.

[SeaBiscuit]

Shame on you Glenn W for blaming Ronnie for this, or any other wrong, in our country. Did you not know that real Americans just celebrated his 100th birthday? What part of his sainthood are you contesting?

Please spare us your extreme left views! I wish Buffington was here to set you straight!

Peace,
SeaBiscuit

[longfisher]

So, SB thinks that objective discussions with facts, truth, information and bit of historical perspective is an expression of far left wing views.

Well, until now I never considered myself left and certainly not extreme left. But I very much enjoyed Glenn W's account and then went to look it up. What he said is pretty much the truth and it's very easy to affirm. So, with respect to objectivity I'm squarely on the left, I suppose.

I guess stupid is the right of every citizen but the conservatives have made it into a virtuous party plank and anyone who brings objectivity to the table is sitting on the left. Go figure.

Or, did I miss the sarcasm?

LF

[marine4003]

Gee, how did this get into a blame game? and that in itself is a major part of the problem..its NOT WHO did what, but..one way or another THERE ALL TO BLAME for this classic waste of our money, i dont care if JFK instituted this farse,i do care that we pay for it.

[Glenn W]

Thanks for the confirmation that I speak "pretty much the truth"--- considering utility regulation is what I do for a living. Oh, and yes you did miss the sarcasm from Biscuit.

Marine, didn't mean to start a blame game and I guess it came across as such--- sorry.
I just didn't want readers to think this subsidized phone service is something new. Again, I disagree with cell service qualifying for Universal Service fund participation--- and frankly, think the entire program is outdated.

[marine4003]

Thanks for the confirmation that I speak "pretty much the truth"--- considering utility regulation is what I do for a living. Oh, and yes you did miss the sarcasm from Biscuit.

Marine, didn't mean to start a blame game and I guess it came across as such--- sorry.
I just didn't want readers to think this subsidized phone service is something new. Again, I disagree with cell service qualifying for Universal Service fund participation--- and frankly, think the entire program is outdated.

No big deal Glenn, this site is a micro culture in itself,and on the tiny scale we have here the political infighting and "blame" is a representation of the breakdown of this country,instead of "This country is broken,lets fix it" its become a finger pointing fiasco, dam shame.
USF is or was a play to the big carriers,and its a sham that needs to stop...i defiantly agree w/you.

[marine4003]

That's the one!!!! I read the application. I gagged when I read the word "benifit's"! I alway's thought a "benifit" was something you had to earn. Guess I'm behind the curve again. Frank

Frank..Frank..Frank...come on now..you know a benafit is something one gets when he figures out the "system" and i dont care what color ones skin is...lazy azz somebiches..