Georgia becomes first state to offer $5 cellphone plans (tax, money)

[westau]

Originally Posted by workaholics

In before anybody mentioned Obamaphones.

This is actually a really good program. Mobile phones have become an essential these days and it's becomingly increasingly harder to get by without one. What would you do if you were in an emergency situation and didn't have access to a phone? Payphones are almost non existent now so having a cell really is a necessity. My tire blew out a few weeks ago around 10PM on a Sunday night off of 316. There was literally nothing around and if I didn't have a phone to call my parents, my friends and a towing service I don't know what I would have done. Everybody should have that in case of an emergency.

That would be great, IF a ton of people weren't taking advantage of the program by getting tons of phones and also giving people more minutes and text messages then they would actually need in any emergencies.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by westau

That would be great, IF a ton of people weren't taking advantage of the program by getting tons of phones and also giving people more minutes and text messages then they would actually need in any emergencies.

Blame the companies. They don't care because they get paid either way.

[midtown mile girl]

How are they going to bill the homeless guy the 5 fee without an address to bill to? Just wondering.

[Columbuskidd92]

I have Virgin Mobile. I only pay $25.00 a month for unlimited Web,Messaging and Data. I also get 300 worth of talking minutes.

[westau]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

Blame the companies. They don't care because they get paid either way.

I would say the people knowingly taking advantage of it and the companies are equally to blame but you are right the companies deserve some blame for sure.

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

It's too bad that dishonest folks defrauded the gov't requiring the poor to now have to pay for such a necessary and basic commodity.

Basic commodity?

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by ChefRamsey

It's a cell phone. Not food. What other first-world government gives away free phones? It's only $5. Get real.


How is the guy making 13k a year going to give back to society? Is he going to volunteer at church working 45 hours a week? Is he going to donate to the library or local universities? Is he going to buy sandwiches at the mom and pop restaurant down the street? Is he going to boost tourism and businesses by convincing friends and family or colleagues that Georgia is such a great place? Free phones come at a cost. Tax payer's cost. Life isn't free.

Don't be so blindly liberal. Our government is literally closed. You can't just give anyone anything. Money is tight

Are you suggesting that the poor need to learn to do without certain luxuries?

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by BlackPeach2

Basic commodity?

I firmly believe that the ability to make a phone call is terrifically important. So, yes. There are no more pay phones (well, essentially there are no more). The ability to call an ambulance, the police or a loved one? Yep. Pretty basic. I don't know anyone that could go much more than a day without a phone.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Booze! Smokes!

So? Let them. Still, less corruption and misuse happens this way. If a few people choose to spend money on cigarettes over a cell phone or even food, why should you care? If they end up hungry maybe they will reconsider their expenditures tomorrow.

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by workaholics

In before anybody mentioned Obamaphones.

This is actually a really good program. Mobile phones have become an essential these days and it's becomingly increasingly harder to get by without one. What would you do if you were in an emergency situation and didn't have access to a phone? Payphones are almost non existent now so having a cell really is a necessity. My tire blew out a few weeks ago around 10PM on a Sunday night off of 316. There was literally nothing around and if I didn't have a phone to call my parents, my friends and a towing service I don't know what I would have done. Everybody should have that in case of an emergency.

You could try doing the same thing we did when there were no cell phones and there were never pay phones on lonely stretches of highway. You would start walking and hope someone one would stop. It seemed to work ok.