This is where I draw the line.

[MushyMushy]

Okay, I'm pretty darn liberal. I am all for welfare and food stamps for the needy, and all for free job training and job assistance. I'm good with all that! I'm good with the earned income credit.

Have you seen the latest? Now we're giving away free wireless coverage and cell phones! https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx

I don't know. I do NOT see cell phones as a necessity, nor do I see cable tv as a necessity. I know a lot of people here hate welfare in general, but is there anyone here like me who doesn't hate it but still thinks this goes a little too far?

(note: I haven't read much about this service, nor do I know how many minutes they can get free a month - I'm just basing my reaction on first instinct.)

 

[wvjules]

Okay, I'm pretty darn liberal. I am all for welfare and food stamps for the needy, and all for free job training and job assistance. I'm good with all that! I'm good with the earned income credit.

Have you seen the latest? Now we're giving away free wireless coverage and cell phones! https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx

I don't know. I do NOT see cell phones as a necessity, nor do I see cable tv as a necessity. I know a lot of people here hate welfare in general, but is there anyone here like me who doesn't hate it but still thinks this goes a little too far?

(note: I haven't read much about this service, nor do I know how many minutes they can get free a month - I'm just basing my reaction on first instinct.)

I agree with everything you said.

I didn't read the link though. Who is "we"?

 

[Jenvenza]

I don't know anything about this - but I am with you after reading what you posted. I am all for welfae for the needy and everything else like you said - but cell phones? I didnt read it all, but who would qualify for these cell phones? I can see it if it were elderly people who didnt have a home phone and might need assistance - but that would be about it. Cable TV though - that is ridiculous.

 

[MerMom60_94]

Okay, I'm pretty darn liberal. I am all for welfare and food stamps for the needy, and all for free job training and job assistance. I'm good with all that! I'm good with the earned income credit.

Have you seen the latest? Now we're giving away free wireless coverage and cell phones! https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx

I don't know. I do NOT see cell phones as a necessity, nor do I see cable tv as a necessity. I know a lot of people here hate welfare in general, but is there anyone here like me who doesn't hate it but still thinks this goes a little too far?

(note: I haven't read much about this service, nor do I know how many minutes they can get free a month - I'm just basing my reaction on first instinct.)

ITA. I am fine with the fact that there are people out there who truly need help to stay on their feet. To me, though, that assistance should be for basic necessities needed in order to survive: a roof over their heads, food, employment assistance. Cell phones and cable, despite popular opinion, are not needs. They are wants. If you can't afford them it's ok - just do without. You'll be able to survive just fine.

 

[fleetwood]

With Barry and a democratic majority congress your only going to see more and more crap like this. I guess I'm just a heartless conservative who doesn't see cable and cell phones as a basic need the gov. should be providing.

 

[PghLybrt]

In PA it is 42 minutes a month

 

[MushyMushy]

I agree with everything you said.

I didn't read the link though. Who is "we"?

I don't know. Taxpayers I guess?

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I've seen some commercials for that already. At first, it sounds like its a cell phone for emergencies, but listen closely as the lady says staying in touch with family is now easier. Yeah, that's not some 911 only cell phone.

We need a thumbs down smiley.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

In PA it is 42 minutes a month

I used to have a 50 minutes per month plan that I paid for and hardly ever used it all. It was CHEAP TOO!

 

[PghLybrt]

I used to have a 50 minutes per month plan that I paid for and hardly ever used it all. It was CHEAP TOO!

Thats what i should get now! My last phone bill was for 27 minutes!

 

[MushyMushy]

With Barry and a democratic majority congress your only going to see more and more crap like this. I guess I'm just a heartless conservative who doesn't see cable and cell phones as a basic need the gov. should be providing.

This is a state issue. PA has been known as one of the "best" welfare states for as long as I can remember. How many republican presidencies since haven't changed that? Reagan, Bush Sr., Bush Jr.? So don't blame the democrats.

 

[wvjules]

What would the reaction be if it were a landline that only called emergency numbers?

 

[Lib E]

I'm writing to my representatives now. That is insane.

 

[MushyMushy]

What would the reaction be if it were a landline that only called emergency numbers?

I'm cool with that. I'm also cool with a cell phone that only called 911!

Is it true or is it an urban legend that you can take any old cell phone and call 911 whether you have service or not? And isn't it the same with landlines?

ETA: check this out! http://www.americancellphonedrive.org/cell-phone-emergency-911.cfm

 

[OctMtnWoods]

They are giving 80 minutes in MA & they rollover, with caller ID, call waiting and voicemail.

I don't even have rollover minutes. Nor do I pay for those extra features on my landline phone.

I'll bet they end up with HBO & the like too. I don't have those either because I don't pay for them.



Correction: I pay for them....but its for other people to get them now apparently.

I am getting more & more fed up with the way things are going lately.

 

[cinmell]

We need a thumbs down smiley.

Here ya go!

 

[Carly_Roach]

By all means, lets work ourselves into a morally outraged frenzy without having all the facts, shall we?

What Benefits are Available Under the Lifeline and Link-Up Programs?

Lifeline Assistance provides discounts on basic monthly service at the primary residence for qualified telephone subscribers. These discounts can be up to $10.00 per month, depending on your state.

Link-Up America helps income-eligible consumers initiate telephone service. This program pays one-half (up to a maximum of $30) of the initial installation fee for a traditional, wireline telephone or activation fee for a wireless telephone for a primary residence. It also allows participants to pay the remaining amount they owe on a deferred schedule, interest-free.

Residents of Native American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities may qualify for enhanced Lifeline assistance (up to an additional $25.00) and expanded Link-Up support (up to an additional $70.00). For more information on these enhanced Lifeline and Link-Up programs, visit www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tribalfactsheet.html.

The qualifying income in all federal default states except Alaska and Hawaii varies from a maximum of $14,040 for a family of one to a maximum of $48,060 for a family of eight. For each additional person in the household beyond eight, add $4,860. To find the specific eligibility requirements for your state, visit the USAC Web site at www.lifelinesupport.org. You may also call a toll free number – 1-888-641-8722 – to ask general questions about eligibility, but not to apply to participate in the Lifeline and Link-Up programs. To find out how to apply, visit the USAC Web site at www.lifelinesupport.org, or call your local telephone company.

You can also contact your local telephone company or your state public service commission for more information about these programs and to determine whether or not you qualify for discounts. Contact information for your state public service commission can be found on the Web site of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, www.naruc.org/commissions.cfm, or in the blue pages or government section of your local telephone directory.

It seems to me that this program would be discounts for families that are in extreme poverty. Subsidies aren't paying the entire bill - just offering a discount. Not a bad thing for people who don't have a phone and may need one to call 911 or any other sort of emergency. Personally, I'd rather my taxes go to programs like this instead of paying for bonuses for CEOs of failed/failing companies.

As far as cable is concerned, with everything going digital and free airwave signals being taken away, cable is going to be the only way for people to get news and local stations. Services that used to be free to anyone no matter who you were or what your salary was. It was paid for only by advertiser dollars (commercials).

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Okay, I have seen the commercials as this program is new to the state I am in.. It is pretty much a "scam" in my opinion... The govt. provides for many very low income people the following program:


Background

Telephone service is considered a necessity for daily modern life. Yet the cost of starting and maintaining such service may be too high for some consumers. Under Congressional mandate, the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) supports the Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America programs. These programs provide discounts on basic monthly service and initial installation or activation fees for telephone service at the primary residence to income-eligible consumers. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with the help of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), administers the USF. Here are some frequently asked questions about the Lifeline and Link-Up programs.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


What Benefits are Available Under the Lifeline and Link-Up Programs?

Lifeline Assistance provides discounts on basic monthly service at the primary residence for qualified telephone subscribers. These discounts can be up to $10.00 per month, depending on your state.

Link-Up America helps income-eligible consumers initiate telephone service. This program pays one-half (up to a maximum of $30) of the initial installation fee for a traditional, wireline telephone or activation fee for a wireless telephone for a primary residence. It also allows participants to pay the remaining amount they owe on a deferred schedule, interest-free.

Residents of Native American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities may qualify for enhanced Lifeline assistance (up to an additional $25.00) and expanded Link-Up support (up to an additional $70.00). For more information on these enhanced Lifeline and Link-Up programs, visit www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tribalfactsheet.html.

Life-line allows many ederly and disabled people to have a land-line phone. It really is a good program. So I read through the new "cell phone" program. If you want to get the phone and the 62 minutes per month, YOU HAVE TO CANCEL YOUR LIFELINE benefits from your other company.. I actually feel sorry for the people who fall for this... And yes I am pissed that the gov't would allow these companies to be able to do this...

Okay off the box now!!

 

[minnie61650]

I think this more of a come on than a ligit program.

Key words: 'In general, you may qualify if..."

Here are the Requirements:

How to Qualify
The process to qualify for Lifeline Service depends on the State you live in. In general, you may qualify if...


You already participate in other State or Federal assistance program such as Federal Public Housing Assistance, Food Stamps and Medicaid.

OR
Your total household income is at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines set by your State and/or the Federal Government.

AND
No one in your household currently receives Lifeline Service through another phone carrier.

You have a valid United States Postal Address. In order for us to ship you your free phone you must live at a residence that can receive mail from the US Post Office. Sorry, but P.O. Boxes cannot be accepted.

In addition to meeting the guidelines above you will also be required to provide proof of your participation in an assistance program, or proof of your income level.

JMHO

 

[rabx5]

With Barry and a democratic majority congress your only going to see more and more crap like this. I guess I'm just a heartless conservative who doesn't see cable and cell phones as a basic need the gov. should be providing.

Don't get all excited about blaming this on OUR president. Last year I recall seeing a link to this on a freebie site. I don't think OUR president had anything to do with

Go ahead, blame him anyway

Added: Every link I find uses an October 2008 date and the service is provided by Tracfone.