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The cell phones are used to call 911 if they want minutes, they will have to purchase them. But it seems kind of funny, those very same people that your blasting have been getting free phone service courtesy of the university service fund that you pay for your phone bill and have paid on your phone bill for the last 10 years.
Not correct. I put in a few zip codes and came up with over an hour of free minutes a month. Yes, you can buy more but you do get some paid for by the productive people.
here's a better suggestion. no phone and walk. how's that for math.
I don't think some people here understand.
First of all, Obama has/had nothing to do with starting these programs.
Second, only a few states offer this program. They began over a year ago when Obama wasn't even nominated to run as the Democratic candidate. I see so many threads & posts accusing Obama of something that happened before he was even in office. It's ludricrous!
Third, a person must be 135% below the poverty level of their state to qualify and already be on a government assisted program.
Fourth, we are talking about 2 minutes a day for emergencies. If you used common sense, the reason why I used the words "bad in math" is that a city bus and a pay phone cost a heck of a lot more than a minute on a cell phone.
Fifth, people are assuming we are talking about a fancy camera phone, that is, if they are using words like "luxury." I doubt if people who qualify for this programs have land lines. 2 minutes a day (or 60 minutes a month) is just to make sure someone who falls or has a heart attack can call for help. Imagine your apartment is on fire and you can't call 911 because you can't afford a phone. I guess some people here might suggest talking a bus (if there is one available) to call the fire department.
Anyone who says "walk to a bus stop" after a person has had a heart attack must be full of hate or just plain stupid. So I don't get a mod cut here - I am not referring to any particular comment or city-data member. I am only expressing my opinion of those who feel using a phone an average of 2 minutes a day is a "luxury."
Also, cell phones are free. It's the service that you pay for. Maybe you haven't figure that out yet. I supposedly have a "free" Sony, but I pay almost $50 a month with tax for it. Technology changes so quickly that cell phones aren't worth much after 6 months anyway. I have a GPS that cost me $300 and my sister just bought the same model for $130. Now, if you told me people are getting free navigational systems or cable TV, then I might join the opposition.
Last edited by justNancy; 05-01-2009 at 05:52 PM..
Reason: fix post
First of all, Obama has/had nothing to do with starting these programs.
Second, only a few states offer this program. They began over a year ago when Obama wasn't even nominated to run as the Democratic candidate. I see so many threads & posts accusing Obama of something that happened before he was even in office. It's ludricrous!
Third, a person must be 135% below the poverty level of their state to qualify and already be on a government assisted program.
Fourth, we are talking about 2 minutes a day for emergencies. If you used common sense, the reason why I used the words "bad in math" is that a city bus and a pay phone cost a heck of a lot more than a minute on a cell phone.
Fifth, people are assuming we are talking about a fancy camera phone, that is, if they are using words like "luxury." I doubt if people who qualify for this programs have land lines. 2 minutes a day (or 60 minutes a month) is just to make sure someone who falls or has a heart attack can call for help. Imagine your apartment is on fire and you can't call 911 because you can't afford a phone. I guess some people here might suggest talking a bus (if there is one available) to call the fire department.
Anyone who says "walk to a bus stop" after a person has had a heart attack must be full of hate or just plain stupid. So I don't get a mod cut here - I am not referring to any particular comment or city-data member. I am only expressing my opinion of those who feel using a phone an average of 2 minutes a day is a "luxury."
Also, cell phones are free. It's the service that you pay for. Maybe you haven't figure that out yet. I supposedly have a "free" Sony, but I pay almost $50 a month with tax for it. Technology changes so quickly that cell phones aren't worth much after 6 months anyway. I have a GPS that cost me $300 and my sister just bought the same model for $130. Now, if you told me people are getting free navigational systems or cable TV, then I might join the opposition.
Speaking of bad in math, how is someone 135% below the poverty level for their state???
In that case, it's time for CHANGE! This program needs to go away. Too many working people don't have phones because they can't afford them, we don't need to give luxury items to welfare moms.
Where do you live. Everyone I know has a cell phone.
What's a cheap plan, about $20 a month? It looks like "too many working people" are in way over their heads. That's not the fault of people who are struggling.
The "income requirement" for my cellphone was "can you afford to pay the bill each month."
I'm not completely against providing the destitute with the ability to communicate. As someone already mentioned, a phone number is fairly essential for finding a job, etc., but providing a cellphone is completely unnecessary. As someone else mentioned, a cellphone is a luxury item.
I'd rather see them provided with a voicemail number and a calling card. The cost to provide those is much, much, much lower. Hell, I run a calling card service with a toll-free number for my friends and family, and the cost is negligible...
I say dump the cellphones, and go with calling cards instead. The savings would be enormous, and the people in need of the service would still receive it - it just wouldn't be quite as convenient for them.
"Enormous" savings can't be found in a program such as this. How much do you think it could possibly cost? Cell phones and service cost little to produce. How many people qualify, and of those, how many subscibe to the service? I'm sure we're talking pennies per week in tax cost.
Not correct. I put in a few zip codes and came up with over an hour of free minutes a month. Yes, you can buy more but you do get some paid for by the productive people.
Everybody isn't productive. Get over it.
Stomping your feet and screaming, sounding tough, mean and authoritative is not going to change society. Never has, never will.
There have always been and always will be people who either can't or won't produce enough to support themselves. What is your solution?
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