The plot thickens on Obamaphones

Anna1111 · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:14 pm **Posts:** 8115

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/10/ca ... s-to-poor/

When the government program "just happens" to exclusively support a major campaign contributor, well, something seems a little fishy.

Martha R. · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 8:45 am **Posts:** 2924

HA! Gee, what a surprise!

Sis · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:22 pm **Posts:** 8837

Well, I can agree with the last paragraph! ;-)

“I simply do not think that the taxpayers should be footing the bill for someone’s cell service and social interaction,” Griffin said. "If that’s the case, what should the government pay for and not pay for? Let’s just start paying for everyone’s gas.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/10/ca ... z290Bk8nXF

Anna1111 · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:14 pm **Posts:** 8115

You have a fine point, Sis - but if we're financing B1rth c0ntrol, why not pay for a simple conversation, too? ; )

Scott Bryce · **Posted:** Sat Oct 13, 2012 12:04 pm

We are NOT financing people's social interactions. I know someone who has one of these phones. He is mentally retarded and on permanent disability. He is unable to earn a sufficient income to support himself. The phone plan only gives him enough minutes to contact someone if he needs some sort of help.

911 calls are free on payphones, but we are not making a political issue out of that. This is similar, except that the person in question actually is given a physical phone. I don't know what happens if he goes over his minutes, which he could easily do if he were to use the phone for social calls.

Martha R. · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 8:45 am **Posts:** 2924

Apparently, there are people who receive these phones, yack up a storm till the minutes are gone, and then go get another. It's another instance of a welfare item being abused by some (or even many!)

Anna1111 · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:14 pm **Posts:** 8115

What happens if you run out of minutes (assuming you don't commit fraud and go get another) is that you have no minutes till the next month.

SOOOO - the person who needs an emergency phone for medical reasons, or who so they can be reached by their child's caregiver, or be called by a perspective employer if unemployed (all great reasons!) - has to also practice the self-control not to chat away all their minutes. That usually doesn't happen.

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The plot thickens on Obamaphones

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