[mnehring]

Who Pays for the Obama Phone? in Obama Phone Questions / no comments Lifeline is a government sponsored program, but who is paying for it. Some people claim that the government is using taxpayer’s money to run this program, however, the claim is false. Universal Service Fund (USF) which is administers by Federal Communication Commission along the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC), pays for the Lifeline phone assistance program.

Unbelievable. Where do they think this USF fee comes from, unicorn farts? The USF 'fee' is a required fee (technically not a tax because Congress didn't authorize it) on all telecommunication services that we all pay for. So yes, taxpayers are footing the bill.

[MrB]

Yes, their “free” phone is paid for by people who actually think it’s the right thing to do to pay for their phone service.

IE, the culture that thinks it’s normal to pay for what you use also pays for the culture that thinks it’s entitled to free stuff.