My problem has never been Democrat, or Republican. It is Government growing all of the time and not slowing down. Lifeline was one more program that was started with good intensions, but politicians found a way to buy votes with it, like they do everything.
My problem has never been Democrat, or Republican. It is Government growing all of the time and not slowing down. Lifeline was one more program that was started with good intensions, but politicians found a way to buy votes with it, like they do everything.
^^^^ THIS!
Actually, you know who we should really be mad at over the whole phone issue? The VENDORS! I do not know what the .gov is paying per line that is set up, but my parents are in the cell phone industry and there have been several of their vendors who have completely dropped out of the retail market JUST to focus on "Obama" gov't phones. They are making a KILLING at picking up cheap, crappy, beat up ugly old flip phones and foisting them as "freebies" onto the welfare crowd, while charging the .gov top dollar for them all.
I am sure it is a set fee for them to set up the lines, and they get reimbursed at a fair rate for the phones... as if they were decent phones. But the ones they're giving out are absolute SHITE! And then these folks walk into my folks' store trying to sell them their gov't phones, since they don't need them and they've got an iPhone or Android-based smart phone already on another account. Seriously folks, this happens EVERY day, MULTIPLE TIMES per day. Of course, my parents won't buy the phones, because they are crap, but it points to the whole root of the problem.
Sooooo... tell me why someone who has it rough enough to be on gov't assistance and qualify for a "free phone" can afford somehow or other to have a high-end phone with a data plan on a private account? I realize maybe someone gave it to them as a gift, or someone else is paying the bill (baby-daddy, grandma on a pension, etc.), but seriously? Why do we need to provide these people with phones??? When they already have one and have no intention of giving up their high-end phone and plan, and only want to try to sell the gov't phone for $10 to anyone who's sucker enough to buy it???
Once again... America has the wealthiest "poor" in the history of the world.
The real problem with the landline program is that because almost all of Oklahoma is considered to be tribal land for the purposes of this program, phone companies are compensated at a far higher rate for providing service to these Oklahomans than they are in other states.
This has created a very attractive incentive for companies to come here and sign people up. This incentive has caused some of them to bend (in some cases, ignore) the rules in an effort to sign up as many people as they possibly can. The problem isn't that single working mom struggling to make ends meet getting a $1 a month phone so she can have basic communication. It's the fraud that this bogus incentive has brought on. Someone (a few someones) are making a lot of money from this, and there need to be some serious audits going on.
This has created a very attractive incentive for companies to come here and sign people up. This incentive has caused some of them to bend (in some cases, ignore) the rules in an effort to sign up as many people as they possibly can. The problem isn't that single working mom struggling to make ends meet getting a $1 a month phone so she can have basic communication. It's the fraud that this bogus incentive has brought on. Someone (a few someones) are making a lot of money from this, and there need to be some serious audits going on.
Which brings up the most ironic part of the whole "Obamaphone" myth: It isnt the .gov that is fostering this abuse of the lifeline program. It is predatory businesses capitalizing on poor people that is encouraging the abuse[/I]. I am not opposed to the lifeline program. I believe having a phone is an essential part of getting a job. It is the abuse of this program that I think WE ALL agree is wrong. Do you really think it is an accident that the FREE PHONE commercials air during the same time slots as ambulance chased ads (sorry JB
) and pay day loan companies? Look at these companies locally that adverise these phone. THEY ARE THE EXACT SAME PEOPLE THAT OPERATE PREDATORY PAYDAY LOAN COMPANIES. They lure people in with the "free phones" and then take advantage of them with 900% APR "short term loans". Not to mention the huge profit they are making off of the subsidized phones.
Exactly!
Which brings up the most ironic part of the whole "Obamaphone" myth: It isnt the .gov that is fostering this abuse of the lifeline program. It is predatory businesses capitalizing on poor people that is encouraging the abuse[/I]. I am not opposed to the lifeline program. I believe having a phone is an essential part of getting a job. It is the abuse of this program that I think WE ALL agree is wrong. Do you really think it is an accident that the FREE PHONE commercials air during the same time slots as ambulance chased ads (sorry JB
This is not an appropriate thing to say.
Of course, we could always point the finger back at the government for instituting a program so poorly-designed and with no oversight, that allows such horrendous abuse. Poor, poor, piss-poor planning.
Not to excuse the predatory companies, but blame is abundant to be laid far and wide.
Not to excuse the predatory companies, but blame is abundant to be laid far and wide.
+1 on this!
You could not be more WRONG !
Have you ever noticed that ever increasing "Federal Universal Service Charge" on your phone bill ? That is a TAX. This is what is used to fund the program(and most likely with additional Federal tax dollars).
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