Posted on 07/23/2012 1:59:36 PM PDT by kevcol
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A federal program is giving away thousands of free cell phones and minutes in Minnesota, and you’re paying for it.
Helping low-income people connect to services they need, the program gives free phones with hundreds of free minutes each month to people in need to land jobs, make appointments and stay in touch with family.
But the program has come under fire for its $1 billion price tag and reports of fraud.
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Odell Hilson sold his phone for $20 because he needed the money. He didn’t remember which company gave it to him, but he didn’t seem to care that taxpayers picked up the tab.
“They would be upset, because they figure they were paying for it and if that’s the case, then that’s not my problem,” Hilson said
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Still, Arkansas Congressman Tim Griffin doesn’t think the safeguards go far enough.
He believes most phones aren’t being used to help find jobs, and they’re costing the country far too much. The republican has introduced a bill in Washington to get rid of the cell phones and only cover landline costs.
“The federal government doesn’t need to be providing people with cell phones,” Griffin said.
(Excerpt) Read more at minnesota.cbslocal.com ...
Yes - as a matter of fact I DID call - was told it was DA LAW and Dey couldn’t do nuthin bout that charge. So in other words, just shut up and pay it.
As someone said on another thread about freebies - give em something free and they piddle in your Cheerios.
ALL this makes me sick. Take from the Haves and give to the Have Not’s - sound like a quote from that LBJ speech? Yep. Decades later - more welfare and more demands FROM them. Disgusting.
“These “Obama phones” as they are called by the underclass are nothing but highway robbery and the tax-paying public are the victims.
“These “Obama phones” as they are called by the underclass are nothing but highway robbery and the tax-paying public are the victims.
Here’s the video report on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRNWIWyWmRI&feature=plcp
Well, here in Japan.. even if my mobile is disconnected, the 911 (119) service still works... maybe they should do the same back in the states... Then they couldn’t use that excuse ;))
The comment about the nuggets has me rolling on the floor....thanks needed that chuckle
The point is not the cost and it’s not the requirement for phones to connect to 911 with or without a live contract.
The point is calling the bluff of people who simply want to keep the gravy train going. Counter their sophistry with a solution that doesn’t enable further misuse. Like ‘child porn,’ the 911 ruse is simply meant to deter the opposition.
In a similar vein, when Vonage and other services were becoming widely adopted, the landline telcos used their political influence to claim that end-users would be put in danger because 911 wouldn’t function properly. For better or worse, Vonage et al devised a system to facilitate 911. But the point was the the telcos were using the power of the state to protect their profits - yes, crony capitalism existed long before Obama took office.
911 isn’t a panacea. However, given the frequency of calls to 911 from areas with a large concentration of free phones, it’s important.
Your friend and I are alike in this regard.
I own two homes free and clear, two autos free and clear, and an aircraft free and clear.
I am eligible for food stamps, Medicaid - and a free phone!
LOL - I might be able to get section 8 housing if I tried.
Your friend does have far more in the bank than do I since I am cash poor compared to him. :)
Great Quote!
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