[berdie]

There is no doubt in my mind I officially become a geezer, lol.

A phone, landline or cell, is actually not a necessity. They are nice to have, but one can live without them. Sort of like tv or cable.

People need to eat, have shelter and warmth or cool in extreme climates and education.

I know government programs supporting these things are abused. But I won’t gripe as some people actually are in need. Bad on the abusive ones.

A phone does not fall into the category of necessities.

[the invisib1e hand]

A phone does not fall into the category of necessities.

but it makes people easier to keep tabs on.

[mongo141]

I agree!

[rockvillem]

A phone, landline or cell, is actually not a necessity.

I suspect one underlying premise of the program is that a phone can be a necessity at times of a life-threatening emergency. One wouldn't want grandma on her fixed income being unable to call 911, e.g., for lack of funds. But we're talking about the world of 20 or more years ago - with mission creep, the rise of cell phones, and the moocher mentality, the vast majority of these phones sure as hell aren't in the hands of the impoverished elderly or people in areas that require a subsidy to deliver landline service! Gack.

[gunner03]

The Amish have one phone on a pole for emergencies. Seems to work for them.

[Iron Munro]

I know government programs supporting these things are abused. But I won’t gripe as some people actually are in need.

If it wasn't for the 90% who abuse government programs for the needy we could take care of the truly needy in a dignified way.

[sand88]

I know government programs supporting these things are abused. But I won’t gripe as some people actually are in need.

I suggest you study the writings of the Founders. It is 100% irrelevant if some bill helps someone in need.

The only question that should be asked when evaluating a proposed government program is this: is it allowed under the United States Constitution?

Well meaning people in government have done irreparable harm to our Republic.

Our Founders were wise to warn us against those who would use the taxpayer money for charity. Such undertakings corrode a civil society and ultimately impoverish it.

The money would be better left in the hands of the people who earned it. Private charities are always better at serving the truly needy.

Government programs are always designed for one reason -- to increase the power of the State. They have successfully produced what the Statist desires: a captive voting block who become literal parasites on those who actually work for a living.

Our Republic is in serious trouble because of one reason -- Government.

[Monorprise]

There is a cercomstances in which almost every modern service imaginable might be defined as a “necessity”. Whether any good or service is a “necessity” or not, it is not acceptable to have the Federal government steal from the mouth of the producer to provide that good or service.

That goes for cellphones, TV, stereos, as well as food, shelter.