Posted on 09/28/2012 4:44:04 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Viral video touting free 'Obama phone' puts spotlight on federal program
By Joshua Rhett Miller
Published September 28, 2012
| FoxNews.com
A viral video of an Obama supporter touting her “Obama phone” has put the spotlight on an obscure federal program that provides discounted phone service to qualifying low-income Americans.
“Keep Obama as president,” the animated woman says on the video. “He gave us a phone.”
The video is drawing attention to the government program — Lifeline — as a national debate unfolds on entitlements and the growing percentage of Americans who pay no income taxes and get a long menu of government benefits. But even though some beneficiaries may credit President Obama for providing the phones, Lifeline is an extension of a program that has existed since 1985. Still, critics including Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Ark., note the program has swelled from $772 million in 2008 to $1.6 billion.
“It's a government-run, taxpayer-funded program that's running wild and costing more and more,” reads Griffin’s official House of Representatives website.
Private carriers who contract with the government, including TracPhone and Sprint, have websites intended to publicize the program. Some attempt to dispel the program’s connection to the president, such as freegovernmentcellphones.net, while others, including obamaphone.net, embrace it.
“The free Obama phone is an important program, especially for low income families that would otherwise not have access to basic communications,” the homepage of obamaphone.net reads.
The site does, however, clarify that Obama did not start the program and that there's no such thing as an "Obama phone."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Basically what this amounts to is that Obama has supplied his domestic shock troops with walkie talkies. When things get dicey he can just text message them where to pick up their guns.
Yes. People who work and pay for their own cell phones (and land lines) all pay into Al Gore’s Universal Service Tax fund (look on your monthly bill). That fund is used to provide free cell phones to people who don’t work. What is wrong with this picture?
Obscure? What rock has this reporter been under
This is also a program cobbled together with the intent of both cell providers and the government to undermine and drive landlines out of business, using government monies.
Watchd the video and noticed others available. One is about another forgery - pic of Obama’s “family” in an airport. Looks like mother airbrushed in - her arm ends in a black man’s hand...
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