Georgia becomes first state to offer $5 cellphone plans

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by neil0311

WHAT? I hope you're being facetious.

First of all, a cell phone is NOT a necessity, nor am I or the gov responsible for providing you with one. For years, states had a "lifeline" phone offering for low cost landlines for low income people. Typically they cost $5 to $15 and provided only basic local calling. That was 30 years ago...$5 is a pittance for people to pay if they must have a cell phone.

It's the same Life Line service., Neil. Companies have just expanded it to the cell phone arena.

In fact, the Federal Communications Commission, which oversees the service, tightened requirements last year after investigations found that the program was rife with fraud. The scams were perpetrated not only by individual beneficiaries but also by giant telecom companies, who are paid a $9.25 monthly subsidy for each customer.

Among other remedies, the FCC ended a $30 a month subsidy to phone companies for each new connection, saying it gave them a “perverse” incentive to sign up ineligible beneficiaries.

Yea, let's blame the poor again

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Oh, I agree big cuts are needed to Corp Welfare and Military even more so. But we still need to stop trying to have government give people what it thinks they need. All government should be doing is ensuring people have the means to provide for themselves. Let the people be free to decide what is best for them.

Yet when people say let's push the government to raise the minimum wage and pay low-wage workers a living wage, people then turn around and say that someone who works at McDonald's is not smart. That such a job requires minimum skill and therefore a person working said job is undeserving of making enough money to not have to get food stamps to supplement their income or free cell phones because they can't afford a bill.

So the poor shouldn't get phone assistance, food stamps, medical care or a living wage. The poor can't win.

[onemanarmy]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

Yet when people say let's push the government to raise the minimum wage and pay low-wage workers a living wage, people then turn around and say that someone who works at McDonald's is not smart. That such a job requires minimum skill and therefore a person working said job is undeserving of making enough money to not have to get food stamps to supplement their income or free cell phones because they can't afford a bill.

So the poor shouldn't get phone assistance, food stamps, medical care or a living wage. The poor can't win.

So true, I remember as a kid the only people who worked at McDonald's were my classmates, or other teenagers. Now fast food places are the entry level positions for adults, where do teenagers work? I rarely see HS age kids with jobs these days.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

It's the same Life Line service., Neil. Companies have just expanded it to the cell phone arena.

Right, except it's free in most states with the "Obama-phone" program. Georgia is the first to institute the nominal fee, and that's getting the bleeding hearts all up in arms.

I agree, there used to be lifeline service previously that was a POTS landline for a nominal fee, and I have no issue with a similar program for cell service, since that's where the technology is now, but with an attendant fee.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by onemanarmy

Now fast food places are the entry level positions for adults, where do teenagers work? I rarely see HS age kids with jobs these days.

I have 3 teens...one in college and two are in HS. They all work.

My youngest daughter went and got hired at a local McDonalds, until they found out she was only 15, and they require kids to be 16. The manager was all too eager to hire her. She showed initiative to apply; dressed well; spoke clearly and communicated well; and generally showed a pleasant, can do attitude with a willingness to start at the bottom to make some spending money.

I contrast that with the attitude of many teens today who think the world owes them something, and they want to do the least amount of work for the greatest amount of money. I wonder where they get that from...hmmm? One only has to look to the "Occupy" types and Democrats, where the mantra is: Why work hard? Just demand free things from others and take over parks or streets and throw a tantrum to get it.

Also many kids today can't do math, can't speak or communicate clearly, and don't deserve to be hired.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

Yet when people say let's push the government to raise the minimum wage and pay low-wage workers a living wage, people then turn around and say that someone who works at McDonald's is not smart. That such a job requires minimum skill and therefore a person working said job is undeserving of making enough money to not have to get food stamps to supplement their income or free cell phones because they can't afford a bill.

So the poor shouldn't get phone assistance, food stamps, medical care or a living wage. The poor can't win.

Along with about every federal and state welfare program, minimum wage should be ended too. Minimum wage increase unemployment. Replace all of it with a basic income. People will have enough to get their very basic needs and will not be forced to get jobs they don't really want so they can get welfare benefits. Any dollar on top of that you earn will not harm you. And people will be free to work towards what they actually want rather that a check-box on a form.