Get Your Free Obama Phone!

[Caryh 5,206]

The program started out for wired phone lines with very limited service. I believe the cell phone thing is something that was permitted first under the Obama administration. They are allowing households with the traditional lifeline service, to convert to a cell phone, and keep their old number.

http://www.fcc.gov/lifeline

In 2005, Lifeline discounts were made available to qualifying low-income consumers on pre-paid wireless service plans in addition to traditional landline service. Lifeline is part of the Universal Service Fund.

Oops, Free GW Bush Cell Phone

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

Well, having a phone is necessary to have/maintain a job so I see nothing wrong with the "Obama phone" service or whatever you want to call it. Then again, I'm a commie Canadian.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

a cell phone is nothing special anymore, it's just a phone. pay phones and landlines are on the way out, completely. for a single parent, living @ 135% below the poverty level, while trying to maintain employment/school, i can see the benefit from a program like this. not every beneficiary of welfare is a scam artist.

You hardly ever see a drug dealer, or pimp, with a pager anymore.

[decocker 7,198]

You hardly ever see a drug dealer, or pimp, with a pager anymore.

i hardly ever see drug dealers, or pimps, period. i'll consider myself lucky

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

http://www.fcc.gov/lifeline

In 2005, Lifeline discounts were made available to qualifying low-income consumers on pre-paid wireless service plans in addition to traditional landline service. Lifeline is part of the Universal Service Fund.

Oops, Free GW Bush Cell Phone

Always knew Bush was Just Another Commie®

[Karee 4,191]

a cell phone is nothing special anymore, it's just a phone. pay phones and landlines are on the way out, completely. for a single parent, living @ 135% below the poverty level, while trying to maintain employment/school, i can see the benefit from a program like this. not every beneficiary of welfare is a scam artist.

Yeah, I can see the benefit to the person using the free phone service. Having a hard time seeing the benefit to anyone else.

Honestly I think it's bull$hit. Scam artist or not.

[Caryh 5,206]

a cell phone is nothing special anymore, it's just a phone. pay phones and landlines are on the way out, completely. for a single parent, living @ 135% below the poverty level, while trying to maintain employment/school, i can see the benefit from a program like this. not every beneficiary of welfare is a scam artist.

There was a significant amount of fraud involved with this program. Multiple phones at one address being a big one. Only one is allowed. Also a fair number that were over the income guideline. The introduction of a database to check on such things was put into law a couple years ago. I wonder if its working? Another thought to, should a program like this have a limited time frame of usage? I know some will say no one should get this in the first place, and others will say what about those who can never get above that income level. But to me, being on the public dole shouldn't be a life long event unless you're truly disabled.

[decocker 7,198]

Honestly I think it's bull$hit. Scam artist or not.

afterall, you can receive foodstamp benefits but find a way to afford multiple cell phones and pay a couple hundred bucks a month for service. all while needing the government to help feed your family. of course it's all bullsh*t, it's all pretty ineffective.

[decocker 7,198]

But to me, being on the public dole shouldn't be a life long event unless you're truly disabled.

i agree with you. but the way these programs work (qualification-wise) doesn't allow for transition between needing the benefit and losing it..

[Karee 4,191]

afterall, you can receive foodstamp benefits but find a way to afford multiple cell phones and pay a couple hundred bucks a month for service. all while needing the government to help feed your family. of course it's all bullsh*t, it's all pretty ineffective.

Then why do it? Forget it. I already know the answer.

[decocker 7,198]

Then why do it? Forget it. I already know the answer.

you do? i don't.

[Caryh 5,206]

i agree with you. but the way these programs work (qualification-wise) doesn't allow for transition between needing the benefit and losing it..

I guess this one would be much like a woman's virginity then. Valued when its there, but still much better once its gone.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I guess this one would be much like a woman's virginity then. Valued when its there, but still much better once its gone.

[Karee 4,191]

you do? i don't.

#1 More than likely there were some lobbying firms involved working for these cell phone providers. So $ there.

#2 Keep the Democratic base happy for the next election. More free stuff=votes.

Pretty soon they'll be giving away EADs to illegal aliens for votes. Ohh wait........

[decocker 7,198]

#1 More than likely there were some lobbying firms involved working for these cell phone providers. So $ there.

#2 Keep the Democratic base happy for the next election. More free stuff=votes.

Pretty soon they'll be giving away EADs to illegal aliens for votes. Ohh wait........

meh. there's no difference between welfare and corporate welfare. none of it benefits me yet i pay for it all. i pay for the rich to stay rich and the poor to stay poor. there's no point to pick a side.