Anyone who thinks this is a good idea should have their head examined
Six months ago we did a story about a plan that provides free cell phones for the poor through Safelink Wireless. Much to our surprise, it’s generated more controversy and more comments than any other story we’ve ever done (you really should read some of the 200+ comments. Frankly, it’s astonishing).
TracFone Wireless follows Safelink Wireless in giving free cell phones to the poor
Now Colorado is thinking about enrolling its poor in the same program.
The Denver Post reports:
“If approved, the plan by TracFone Wireless in Miami would make Colorado the 17th state it has settled into with free cell service for the indigent, a form of wireless welfare that proponents say taps into one of the last untapped markets for the telecom technology.
“Our hope is to have it up and running by September,” said Jose Fuentes, TracFone’s director of government relations. “Historically, it’s a very underutilized service, and we’d like that to change.”
In Colorado, it’s called LITAP — the Low Income Telephone Assistance Program — and is available to anyone receiving aid from any of six welfare funds…
The bad news is that you’re paying for this via the Universal Service Fund, one of those mysterious line item taxes listed on your monthly phone bill.
The good news is that you soon won’t have any money left and you’ll qualify for a free cell phone.
Congratulations!
Source: DenverPost.com
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Here’s to government going bankrupt sooner rather than later…
So are these phones traceable…or are they the kind you buy then throw away…..just asking
Traceable. Having some cynical thoughts about our government?
geeze … i thought this administration was going to stop the patriot act…i think they have expanded it….that is only something Commies do…..
but i am sure none of these will be traceable…why trace people that cant be traced????
Phone applicants must fill out paperwork, meet eligibility requirements…and then the phone is mailed to them. So the feds have a good idea of who & where the phones are going.
Hey, maybe it’s a big scam by the feds to spy on people who might be making more money than they claim to…say by dealing drugs or working under the table. LOL. That would be a good way to catch greedy freeloaders. Like when they mail fake sweepstake notices to people and when the person shhows up to claim their “prize” they get busted instead. hehehe
Whats next, government funded Amusement Parks in Antarctica? Does anyone else think this is going to reach country wide implementation by 2012? (estimate)
I don’t know if there traceable or not, seems like any mobile phone could be traced if you were wanted for something bad enough.
Actually, the real story is I hear they are putting GPS trackers into $100 bills and fine wine labels now, in order to track the rich, for taxation.
You got to be kidding me, I know electronics are getting smaller everyday, but having a GPS tracker inside money? The Future: Dear, while your at the store pick up some more Li-Ion batteries for my cash the flat panel display on my 20’s is getting dim again!?!?!?!
Just ignore me, I don’t know enough about GPS systems to even comment on it, was more of a comic relief ya know.
I just found out my income level qualifies in my state, hahahahahha! Well, If I can afford a REAL cell account on what I make, I don’t see why other people can’t.
Sure wouldn’t work here in California. I think it only take $42,000 to get you into the Top Bracket of 10% personal income taxes (oh, plus the 1% more Millionaires Tax). So, we’re practically all rich here.
wow, lmao.
TINSTAAFL …. I am sick of the word FREE…NOTHING IS FREE!!!!! Maybe for one individual it is free but it is not free…someone is paying for it…and I REFUSE TO PAY FOR OTHER PEOPLES LUXURIES….
At the rate BHO is going to tax all of us, I’ll qualify. YIPPPEEE!
Not.
What happens when they go over their minutes from all the “emergencies”? Does the phone stop working? Do we (the taxpayers) get popped at $0.60 per minute??
Damn good question. Would any SafeLink customers care to answer?
Wander on over to safelinkwireless.com. At the bottom of the page, there’s a Terms & Conditions link. I found this:
“Your SAFELINK WIRELESS phone will only operate when you have airtime minutes/units available on the SAFELINK WIRELESS handset. If you run out of your free monthly allotment of airtime, you may purchase and add airtime to your phone.”
Safelink belongs to Tracfone, so I will guess that it works similar to a pre-paid Tracfone. It sounds like at the beginning of the month the minutes are credited to the account, then once used up they’re done until the next month’s recharge.
Note the Contact Us link at the bottom of the Safelinkwireless.com page. They have an email form & an 800 number. Perhaps some people might like to voice their disapproval of Tracfone’s making a profit from stolen goods (our tax money).
I can see it now. Some “customer’s” phone is going to stop working ’cause they used up all their minutes. There will be a real emergency and their phone won’t work…
Any one of you could finish this well-worn script:
a) The ACLU files…
b) The… Help me out here people,,,
c)
As far as I understand things, 911 will *always* work, even if a phone has no account or minutes left.
GREAT! Let’s give ‘em cell phones that work for 911! Everything else is their dime…
Okay I have a Really Good Idea.
We should tax rich people with hot tubs, so everybody else can have a hot tub too. Imagine all the disabled peeps who cannot afford hot tubs, that would benefit from having their own. They would have daily therapy, and it might reduce the amount of pain medicine they need, maybe even reduce the number of doctor visits they make. Yeah, yeah, that’s the ticket. It would reduce medical visits and medical costs on the government, yeah that’s it. Make the working folks pay, yeaaaaah that’s it.
It would help them get active again so they can get back to work and get paying jobs. Yeahhhhh….that’s it! That’s the ticket. They need hot tubs so they can get back to work, yeaaaahhhhhh.
It’s such a Really Great Fantastic Idea…but I can’t afford this idea all by myself ya know. I’m just a working guy. You can’t expect me to actually pay for every hare-brained scheme I dream up. So I need the rest of you to dig in your pocket to help.
What’s that? You don’t think it’s a good idea??? You evil fascist, you authoritarian, expecting other people to live like you, within their means and pay for their own keep! I’ll fix you, I’ll get a law passed to FORCE you to go along with me, how d’ya like that, you fascist you. If you don’t help pay now, we’ll just come and take all your stuff,. so there.
Well, here is something that no one is thinking about……Government spy phones….Far fetched I’m sure, however hear me out. The Majority of people that are sure to apply for this phone are probably junkies, living in trailor park conversion meth labs living on government assistance that we all pay for, and making money under the table selling their poison to kids, drinking their fifths of cheep booze prior to beating their stupid crack addicted significant others and getting away with it cause the neighbor junkies don’t wanna call the police on their dealer….So the government takes this money from us “lets face it they are gonna take it regardless of how they spend it” and decide to launch a massive sting operation. OK like i said its far fetched but given the fact that (as far as I am aware) the Bush enacted patriot act is still in existence so privacy goes out the window when it comes to dealing with terrorists of the drug war; I’m sure that the teenage single mother who is trying to make something of her shattered life would get upset if she knew her privacy was being ripped from her, but then hey….so is our money paying for her phone. Aside from that her privacy would be a small price to pay all for the greater good!
I already thought of that in one of my posts. Sort of like the fake You’ve Won The Lottery letters sent out to fool people on the lam from warrants. They show up somewhere expecting to collect money and get arrested instead. hehe
Hey everyone, just wanted to pass on this link. You might have watched it but I just saw it and it was quite stirring.
Go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA
or just click on my name at the top of my post right here.
Hope this makes everyone open there mind and eye’s to how screwed up America has become and if we don’t change OUR ways, then I fear the worst for us and the future generations of this once great land.
Britton – it’s funny. This video has been on YouTube since March. I hadn’t heard of it until yesterday, when I received no less than three separate emails for people who did not know each other – all linking to this video. And now, your post. It sure is something to see how great ideas travel quickly.
I tell you what – to get rid of the illegals (OT, I know) just make the fines so expensive for the employer that even in his worst nightmare, he’d never consider hiring an illegal. Hire a legal immigrant, not legal, fined $100k per violation. Get rid of the jobs for them and you will not need a fence or border patrol. Imagine the billions that would save in security and border costs.
Yes, it doesn’t stop someone trying to smuggle a nuke into the country, but NEWSFLASH… NOTHING WILL.
Right on fedup, I’m all for that idea! I’m sure employers would still try to hire illegals though. There just to damn greedy. Its sad though everyone wants to blame some one for something at any given day and time. No matter what the topic is. I just don’t see an easy, humane, cheap or universally complete way for dealing with the issue of America’s failures and shortcomings in the recent years. I used to have ideas on them but most were silly are just plain mean. Now I don’t know any more, seems like the whole damn world wants to come live in the U.S. and for what? A go*dam* free cell phone and some food stamps?
It not just foreigners either, it’s everybody. From the lazy factory workers sitting there wondering why their plant is closing down to the useless welfare scammers looking for a free ride, and the totally worthless insurance companies basically taking people’s money and lining there pockets with it. Let’s not forget ol’ ream job “uncle sam” and his minions of doom (U.S. Gov’t)
I’m no better either, I just sit here typing about it, but what good does that really do? Nothing, just lets me vent and I have to let this out sometimes, because life is so unfair it just takes everything and leaves you nothing but a hole in the ground. I’m not going to worry about this anymore.
The whole damn world can just go to hell in hand basket for all I care. We don’t live forever anyway. Might as well just enjoy what few things I can while I can.
Thank you all for your time.
It is hard to believe that The Matrix movie came out in March of 1999 – a little over 10 years ago. While I never really latched on to the sequels, I found the original so prophetically true and profound, I remember exactly where I was when I saw it. I think it is my top 3 movies of all time.
The entire concept of a coordinated (new world order) plan for world control and power that is so subtle that NO ONE notices it seemed so real to me. When Morpheous had Neo choose the red pill (to be awakened and fight) or the blue pill (to return to the collective masses without a clue), I knew which pill I’d want.
The movie, as true and prophetic as it was, it was fictitious only in the way the problem was addressed. You see, in the movie, people were motivated into action. Real action. Fighting back, making strategic moves to weaken the system (i.e. stopping federal income tax payment withholding). Using what tools (computers, hardware) they had at their disposal to adapt and compromise the system (government). But, that’s why I say this part is fiction. Because, as you pointed out, all we do here is vent… it’s a stress reliever, and yet the path to destruction continues.
Tomorrow we’ll read that an another ‘conservative’ republican or ‘blue dog democrat’ as buckled to the political pressures and will support health reform… then cap and trade, then stimulus #2, then more cash for clunkers, raise the $8k for first time home buyers to $15k for ANY one who buys a home… and they can use the money as a down payment.
It goes on and on. And we get nothing but lip service. It is time to do something. This would be where Neo and Morpheous would start hacking away at the system. I just don’t know what that means.
I’m on an ambien high… I won’t remember writing this tomorrow, but it feels good to vent now. and now I leave yooooouu… wiff sohm paartying gyffts…………….ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I know it’s past time to do something, but in today’s world what can we do? Attempting to actually fight the government with guns and armored vehicles is just to expensive. That is the problem with that, its to expensive for anyone who would want to fight the gov’t to do. The ones who could fund it don’t want to, there happy and sitting pretty while the rest of us just struggle to eek through the daily grind of life, and the rich accomplish that feat off the sweat of people like the ones posting in the forum right here. Don’t that just make you sick!
Just walking in protest won’t do much, got to hit em where it hurts. In the wallet. Not the average Joe I mean, but those that have so much money they could never spend it all. There are way more poor class now a day and only a small amount of filthy rich SOB’s. The business owners, and well paid CEO’s and the like in these massive companies, basically paying the gov’t so they can have there merry way with the regular population. Actions that we could take are ridiculous in most cases against such a power house with all the cards stacked in their favor.
However with that said, it would be good to point out that at least America isn’t 3rd world status (yet anyway). Even our poorest people live better than those from countries like Africa and South America. Where they die from common diseases, but I have no pity for them. They have the ability to get up and build there countries up just like the rest of the world did. They choose to live that way apparently, like its something they want. All in all there just waiting for a hand out, but I hate to break it to them (those in the poorest and most crudest of places). America’s at a breaking point and its going to get worse before it gets better. So to those sitting in internet cafe’s sending scam mail to our email boxes, “You better wake the hell up, because one day even America isn’t going to be sending you food and medicine.”
We here in America have our own problems to deal with, and it wouldn’t surprise me any if some country attempts to attack the U.S. again, due to our weakened state of affairs and economy.
Indeed it is time for a change, but not like ol’ Bama’s got planned. I just can’t see how creating more and more debt is the solution. This is one instance where just throwing money at the problem won’t fix it. Shame on you Obama, your cabinet members, and the congress for being so near sighted about this. Is money all you really care about, why don’t you come walk in my shoes for a day and see what its like to wonder if your going to have a home tomorrow or a family that will let you live with them because your to broke to buy a pack of gum!
Of course he won’t do that none of them will. They bought, bribed, and lied there way to power. In my view that is called a theif and theives belong in jail or under the dirt. They did what ever it took to get in that spot of comfort. I hope you choke on that comfort! (Not directed to anyone posting here or future posters in the forum/thread)
Anyway I ramble to much sometimes, goodnight all.
One option is to stop slaving for the government. I have dropped my standard of living to bare subsistence level. I could work more but why? If I double my hours my paycheck won’t double. There are diminishing returns for working harder. The less money I make, the less the government gets out of me.
I purposely bought a smaller, cheaper house than what I wanted. First, I didn’t think a mortgage was a good idea (looks like I was right)…second, a cheaper house means lower property taxes. Gov’t gets less from me again. I drive an older car with no payments, etc etc. I keep my expenses down.
There’s a lot of things I can’t afford anymore, but they are all luxuries I can live without. I don’t take vacations, buy ipods or other gadgets. I don’t buy cd’s or videos. I’ve sewn most of my own clothes for years. I don’t have cable tv, no magazine or newspaper subscriptions, I cut my own hair.
In addition to learning self-sufficiency, I am starving the government by not busting my butt to earn the money to pay for stuff like that.
That’s right, take that government! If only every one would do that.
As usual, FedUp, great comment. Glad to have you here.
Hey Administrator, is there an article here about the “cash for clunkers” program (aka “cash for trash”). I heard on the news the government has already spent up 1 Billion dollars with in one week, on that program alone. Now they have plans on increasing that amount by an additional 2 Billion dollars. Seems like the government has got a prescription for stupid pills or something. Sorta makes the cell phone issue seem like petty cash now.
Stop destroying America Obama, you worthless moron!
You’re not kidding… nothing like a program to encourage those with perfectly drivable older paid-off cars to sign up for a new financed vehicle – and all that with tax payer money. Remember, government doesn’t generate revenue. They can’t give $3B in incentives without taking them from someone else.
Isn’t this exactly what got us into this mess in the first place? Overspending?
Can some one say loan defaults and bankruptcies in the near future? Sure the people are more than happy to take a 1964 farm truck and turn it in for a new car, but what happens when they lose their job? The one their so sure is solid.
The whole program seems like a last ditch effort to stimulate a water logged and dead economy. A band-aid over a huge stab wound! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that throwing money at the problems won’t fix this in the long run, generating jobs or at least bringing back some of the ones that we have lost is the only true way to fix the whole mess. (but corporations don’t care about you or I so that idea is out the window) Until then things will just get worse and worse and for long we will being calling the United States of America the New United States of Africa because were headed for third world disaster.
Keep up the excellent job Obama…Your my hero! (being sarcastic)
Just watched the evening news, and saw a story about a new fishing license requirement. In FL, if you fish from shore (or pier), what used to be free, will now cost $9. Anyone caught without a license will get ticketed $70.00. Another tax, and we just take it w/o any resistance.
Now here’s the part that infuriates me… If you’re on food stamps or medicade, you are exempt. WHAT??? Another case of Peter getting robbed for the benefit of Paul.
To be fair, seniors, active military and the disabled are also exempt. I have just as much a problem with that.
That doesn’t surprise me at all fedup, whats next a tax on taking your new born home from the hospital. “Oh well Mrs. Johnson, were going to need you to pay the “infant tax” upfront or you can’t take Jr. home.”
heh heh. It’ll never work. The ones having the most kids are usually the least able to pay such a tax.
We just got a bill for our property taxes. Seems we got hit for not registering a camper that was sold in 2008. But since we had it up until May 1st, 2008, we still have to pay property tax on it. And the penalty was assessed because we didn’t “fill” that we owned it. We were never told we had to “fill” something that was already registered at the DMV. So we paid a penalty of $25.00 for not filling it and then they popped us for $14.00 that is a 20% penalty for not paying the $25.00 penalty. Only, we never got a notice saying we owed a penalty for not filling. But golly, they mailed it out to us with “proof” that the mailman picked it up from them. Did it get mailed out with PROOF that the mailman delivered it TO ME? Well, that’s not the way they work.
And now our state legislature has done away with the law regarding this separate filling because it was such a burden on the tax payers and such a messed up method. But it only gets retracted for this year, not last year. Yeah, that really helps me now.
Fedup, do you ever get the feeling the gov’t is *purposely* trying to take down the middle working class?
Nine bucks isn’t much, yet it seems like they are consciously attempting to cut off any avenues a working guy has to take care of himself. Other than by by being a wage slave that is. Think about it. If you don’t want to buy fish in a store, now you have to “buy” it from the government.
My state also requires fishing permits for any of the Great Lakes which surround us. Thousands of miles of coastline, but unless I can earn paper money to give them, no fish for me.
I think people that first the government is looking out for the poor people in our country. Yes there are some people whose situations are not the same as yours. However, having a phone handy (for those of you whom have ever had yours cut off) is very essential. When you have no way to make important calls, and phone booths are almost non existent nowadays. I once rode all over town to find a working phone booth to make a business call. I think that we have all worked at some point in our lives and during a time when we cannot meet our financial goals, I think it is insensitive to talk negatively against someone due to social status. Its not like they are giving out unlimited airtime. 68 whole minutes a month is not something we can’t afford. Maybe some of you RICH B—— SHOULD STOP SPENDING MONEY SO FREELY AND TRY TO HELP SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOUR SELF. WHEN SOME OF YOUR MOTHER’S WERE ON WELFARE, I AM SURE THEY GOT THEIR BENEFITS! BUT THANKS HATERS, KEEP HATIN’!!
hahahaha!!!
I am one of your so-called “Rich B— Haters” who is strongly against free anything for anyone.
My income level right now qualifies me for one of those phones. Yet I have managed to keep my PAID monthly cell service going for several years now. Yup, even tho I am poor enough to get a free phone, somehow I’ve managed to pay a flipping phone bill every month all by myself.
Put that in your righteous whiney pipe and smoke it.
No kaj, that’s whats wrong with people now, they been putting to much stuff in their pipes and smokin’ it.
(dang it that was meant as a reply, unable to move it now)
Or you can do what people used to, take care of their families when their family gets in trouble. I’ve got 2 siblings who lost their jobs, and instead of getting on the dole, they’ve turned to their family for help. *It’s a little thing I like to call self sufficiency and personal pride.*
Get off the dole, and start supporting the people you care about. If people live within their means, they can feed another mouth or two without much of a stretch, and without going to government for a handout. – Oh, and diymunzz, the only reason my mother isn’t on welfare, is because her kids take care of her, even though she qualifies for welfare.
For all you know it alls, Big mouth have all the answers to everything.. which i guess would be to get rid of the poor people of this country, I have worked for over 30 yrs same Co. I was hit by a drunk (non licensed driver) who was doing over 80 when he t-boned my car. Needless to say I am no longer able to do anything, I need help getting dressed, getting in and out of bed etc. I can not do anything that I enjoyed doing. I’m am fighting for SSD because I did pay it to the system like regular folks. Unlike the over paid useless cry baby people who get all the tax breaks. the more u make the less u pay in taxes. And I know this is how the system works for this was part of my job. I paid more in taxes than hey did. My Mother is now on social security, whom i now live with, I lost everything including my home which was almost paid for. My Mom has a safelink phone, she has to make appts for the doctor etc. she does not chit chat with anyone (or while driving on the road). Yes I agree about some of the people getting these phones. But my Mother and I are sitting here living high off the hog ( all of you I guess) waiting for our crack, heroin, and meth. But until then I am considered a nobody because i cant work and am waiting for a hearing about my SSD. I can not get help from the government on anything. Maybe i need to become a citizen of Mexico and come back here. I feel sorry for all of you who think your life will never change for the worse, and when it does you’ll be the first with your hands out for help. GOOD LUCK! And by the way I do have pride and always will, I have helped many people in my life and never wanted nothing from them. Now that i need help they have all stuck their heads in the sand. I guess they must feel like all of you lower income bashers.. Kill us all we are not worthy of living. But, do keep paying for the loosers like the one who destroyed my life, and many others, who is a child pedophile, continuously in and out of jail and walking or driving the streets as we speak. These are the people who deserve nothing. Not the ones who have had the bad breaks in life. And i’ll stop you now, I do not feel sorry for myself but i do know what its like to live on nothing. You are very angry people who talk about things you know nothing about. And I will pray for you people you need all the help you can.
Sorry to hear about the rough hand dealt to you. Did YOU have disability insurance (AFLAC)? Did you get an attorney to go after the driver, his possessions? How about your employer? Was he not insured to protect this employees/drivers?
BTW, I can assure you, if you make more money, you pay more taxes. Those that use loopholes do so regardless of income. There is a reason statistics show that the top 5% of the income bracket pays 80% of the taxes. It’s easy to hate those who have more and make more money than you do/did. That’s called jealousy and envy. It’s a perfectly natural emotion. Getting the government to redistribute wealth to try to make life more fair for the poor – well, that’s called socialism.
Oddly enough, the 16th amendment of the US constitution – which authorizes personal income taxes – preconditioned the levying of taxes so that they must be applied EQUALLY. This is the primary argument of those who say income taxes – as their currently collected – are illegal.
Why should someone who makes more have to pay a higher PERCENTAGE? If all paid 10% then the guy making $1M will clearly pay more than the guy who makes $50k. But to say the guy making the $1M should pay 20% while the guy making 50K should drop to 5%… yea, that’s fair….
This program has been in effect for years. The only change is that now it includes cell phones instead of just landlines.
Studies have shown that poor people who have access to cellphones generally use them for economic improvement.
Besides, these are pretty basic, low-end phones. not iPhones or anything fancy. And the free minutes they come with aren’t extravagent either.
No harm, no foul.
I just looked into this because I was a bit alarmed that the government would be giving out free phones in the economic crisis that we’re in. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
The phones they offer aren’t just basic, they’re pretty much garbage. These models sell at dollar stores for $5 – $10 each.
Also, they only come with 68 minutes a month. It’s not like the poor will be texting and chatting away on our dime.
It really does work out to be about 2 minutes of talk time per day on a phone that is extremely cheap.
Sum is right– we’re not handing out Iphones and unlimited plans here. It’s beyond what most of us would even consider critical.
Not all poor people are criminals. Some who do qualify for this program certainly may be involved in criminal deals however. So the government money (your tax dollars at work!) that pays for these phones could be used to cover the costs of phone conversations that set up dope deals or traffic goods?
Again, not all poor guys are crooks… Face facts and see that many a gangbanger or illegal with a criminal lifestyle knows how to, and DOES game the handout system and takes government services and products.. So now free phones too? That is not good…
First of all I can’t believe all the people that think one shouldn’t have kids because of the possibility that in 5 or 10 years they could become single parents. I mean come on think about it. That basically says no one should have kids because you never know what the future holds. I know several people that have become parents as teens and the father is still around ten to thirty years later and they raised great kids. I know single mothers who have done an excellent job in raising their kids alone and I look up to them. No these aren’t people that have abused or even used the welfare system. I have mixed emotions on the free phone. I am married and have three kids. My kids were given their phones when they got their license. Mainly in case of break down. Do I think a child who is walking home from school needs one? No. Do as I do. Stay with your child for practices or pick them up at school. If you are worried about their safety, be the parent and be there to protect them. On the other hand, I do think it’s a good idea that the poor can get phones. But it needs to be done right. We all know 911 numbers are free. I always said if I became “RICH” one day I would buy an apartment complex to provide a home to the homeless with a central phone number that can be used when looking for jobs. Not a homeless shelter where they have to worry about their things getting stolen. They would also have to provide proof that they are trying to better themselves. If a phone company is willing to provide the free phone, why not provide the free minutes. Why not provide them with a voice mail and limit who they can call. I would be okay with paying for that. If they have free choice on how to use it why make the tax payer pay for it. I surely don’t want to pay for their illegal doings. I don’t want to pay for a phone for the drug dealers that are going to try to get my kids hooked. Some will be selling food stamps to buy minutes. And no I am not saying they all break the law. What gets to me is I see people who are on welfare that already have cell phones. How are they affording them now? My husband and I both work and can’t buy a house because no matter how many pay raises we get, stupid taxes are taking the extras. I know there are families that “don’t know where the daddy is” and the daddy is sleeping at home every night. I don’t blame the so called “moochers”. There are people that really do need the help. I don’t feel it should be a permanent fix. Elderly and disabled, yes should get it if they need it. As for the others, you want my tax dollars? Do something for it. Make them do community service. I have received assistance for a short period of time. I did volunteer work so I at least felt I was paying back to the community and I made sure it was temporary. Provide free schooling to those that need it. It will be cheaper in the long run. The welfare office needs to do random unannounced checks and see where our tax dollars are really going. Is it right for my tax dollars to pay to support someone that is at the casino spending money they could be using to buy food while they are getting welfare (It happens more than you would think). In short, use my tax dollars and help the people that need it. But make them contribute in some way to the neighborhood and monitor what my tax dollars are being spent on. Every day I see my rights being stripped away all the while I am being forced to support those that CAN do better but chose not to.
is anyone thinking of the eldery the majority has worked there whole life and most served in the military my dad and uncle both qualify both worked hard their whole life and served in the military. they both aplied and have received there phones they keep them for emergencies. their older they confused and lost and have health issues. most of thier money goes towards prescriptions and doctor visits. i think it is great they offer this program the phone is basicly the cheapest thing out there too samll for them to see i dont know why they give them that small of a phone and they only get 68 min a month but it is enough for them. STOP HATING
Cut and pasted directly from the website.
HOW SAFELINK WORKS
The cell phone is NOT subsidize by the federal government and is provided by TracFone to the customer at no cost.
https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/benefits.aspx
You people need to find something better to do with yourselves, or take a damn tranquilizer.
Whew… glad we cleared that one up. Keep sipping the koolaid, M. Just who do you supose is paying for the ‘free’ phones?
BTW… from your link:
Over twenty years ago, the FEDERAL Communications Commission (FCC) created the Lifeline Program to help guarantee Universal Service in the US.
Just so this doesn’t go over your head… the FCC IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. And when they ‘create’ something, guess what that means? Life must be so complicated.
Fedup needs a BIG bottle of tranquilizers and some Koolaid to swallow it. Better yet, move to another country if you hate the government here so much.
I’ll take that as an “I don’t have a valid argument, so I’ll attack the poster” reply. Typical. Go away.
Your telling me to keep sipping the koolaid wasn’t attacking the poster? You go away.
Were you able to read beyond that comment? Go back and re-read it. Then try to reply to the subject at hand – not my patriotism (or lack thereof).
You know, all I did was post a direct line from the website stating that the phone was paid for by Tracfone, NOT the government and you had to jump all over me about the FCC and referring to me being brainwashed by religious goonies with the koolaid comment. I’m recovering from hip replacement surgery or I wouldn’t be sitting here online at 9 PM on a saturday night. Why are you so available to respond immediately? Maybe you and your patriotism should venture out a bit. You might be less judgmental if you were less retentive.
Sorry about your hip…
My point was that your comment that it was not government funded, and the proof you offered, was simply not true. The FCC mandates phone companies to provide the discounted/free phone service. Thus the government is responsible for the program’s assistance. And while they don’t directly fund it, their mandate make sure that every phone bill from regular paying saps (like me) get charged an extra fee (i.e. tax) to pay for it.
So to say it’s not government funded is arguing semantics.
My apologies for the harsh words. But, while Tracfone may be fronting the costs, they are being paid by the rest of us.
As for my ability to reply quickly – I’m just well connected.
Apology accepted. So you are out with your blackberry? What are you drinking? LOL
Cute- yes – but not koolaid
Koolaid sucks anyway. Think I’m going to the fridge for a Corona myself. I’m off the prescription pain meds and I deserve a bit of relaxation myself!
Have a good night.
The website may say that the phone isn’t subsidized but it doesn’t say the minutes are either. There’s a difference. We aren’t talking about alot of minutes here either so I doubt too many freeloaders are going to be jabbering long on 68 minutes a month. If the phones are that cheap, I’m sure Tracphone is getting new customers buying extra minutes by doing it this way and that justifies giving out free phones.
For those who might be interested in the details, here is what the government actually provides. This is from the FCC site. Then, in the next paragraph below, is the actual language from the Safelink site. Note that it actually states that the government does not subsidize cell phones.
“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. 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.”
The Safelink site (www.safelinkwireless.com) contains the text shown below. They smell like a scam.
HOW SAFELINK WORKS
Instead of receiving a monthly telephone bill for your Lifeline service, SafeLink converts the total amount of discounted service (approximately $13.50 of discounted telephone service) into minutes (68 minutes) each month. Through our service you will receive FREE cellular service, a FREE cell phone, and FREE Minutes every month!SafeLink Wireless Service does not cost anything – there are no contracts, no recurring fees and no monthly charges. The SafeLink service is good for one year. Participants in the program are subject to annual verification. The cell phone is NOT subsidize by the federal government and is provided by TracFone to the customer at no cost. Any Minutes you do not use will roll-over. Features such as caller ID, call waiting and voicemail are all also included with your service. If you need additional Minutes, you can buy TracFone Airtime Cards at any TracFone retailer Walmart, Walgreens, Family Dollar, etc). SafeLink Airtime Cards will be available soon.”
Yea, I think i posted earlier on the whole Safelink program. I am not sure, but I don’t think it is a federally funded program, but it is funded by cell phone users (I guess from the fees). Also, I know it provides the free phone and about 60 free minutes, but other than that, I am not sure. It definitely is not a scam, and I believe it should not be labeled as such. It is by supported by a major corporation (Tracfone) and is a social program that is benefitting many people and has the ability to change the lives of many. Just my 2 cents.
I would just like to thank all of you hard working tax payers for giving me a free cell phone. I really need it because I been laid off and have been struggling for some time. We only had 1 cell phone and no house phone. Now when I am home with the kids I always have a phone for emergencies. I really don’t understand why the income limit is so low for this phone. But if you receive a school lunch discount you can get the phone. School lunch discount in my area for a family of 4 is around 32,000 a year.
Can you all get a clue into the real world and stop it with your bigotry and small mindedness?