Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

[litotes15]

Ok here we go..... Pulled into grocery store parking lot today and what did I see but a line of about 100-125 people "down on their luck". In the center of said mob of people was a tent with a large sign reading FREE CELL PHONE AND SERVICE.

Well not really free... Look on YOUR phone bill and you will see a misc charge listed as USF. Universal Service Fund. This allows everyone their free phone, free text, and free minutes..

Everyone enjoy their day because mine is F@#KED

 

[Bigwheels]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

Don't suppose there is a way to "opt out" of this fee. I don't like being charitable with no choice.

 

[litotes15]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

I tried while in grocery store while being yelled at and told to lower my voice by wife. She is or whatever reason scared of offending a "down on luck" person and will generally run and hide.

 

[Tripwire]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

Cell phones......the new religion.

 

[Tripwire]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

Maybe technology is the religion, the cell phone is the god, and connectivity is the savior?

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

I had a few cellphones. From '03 to '06. Realized that humanity has existed for however long without em, and I can too.

As I go about my daily life, I (and my Lady) continuously see how society has grabbed onto the latest "life-support system". Then we shake our heads. Is it really THAT important?

So all I can say is, for all you out there that have a bill that includes this "USF",,,,,, well... enjoy your connectivity to the masses.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

If this 'USF' pisses you off that much, you better not research your cable bill, utility bill, or where 90+% of your taxes go. Like it or not, a significant portion of our society is geared towards babysitting the 'unfortunate'.

 

[Adam B]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

USF funding also goes to paying for internet connectivity to public schools so it isn't an entire waste of our money

 

[EddieNFL]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Realized that humanity has existed for however long without em, and I can too.</div></div>

Much like the internet, computers, TVs, cars...

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

One day I can only hope that Atlas shrugs...

 

[sdkidaho]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

USF funds have existed for decades. It's nothing new. They've been used to provide phone services to areas that would not otherwise have service (too far out in the boonies for the phone companies to waste their time on).

I'm ok if they discontinue those funds...

 

[strat81]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Adam B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">USF funding also goes to paying for internet connectivity to public schools so it isn't an entire waste of our money</div></div>

It also goes towards subsidizing telecom costs in rural areas. Otherwise people who live in such areas would pay $500 per month for a landline and $800 for DSL.

If you didn't subsidize the cost on your phone bill, you'd be doing through your food purchases, or any other product that comes from a rural area (ever look up Brownells on a map?? Kinda in the middle of nowhere).


That said, I do not believe paying for cell phones for the willfully lazy is a proper use of USF money.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Come and get your free cell phones!!!!!

Fund a landline for the fuckers. When they get a J-O-B then they can P-A-Y for their own LUXERIES. Of course I think we would be better served if they were all just steamrolled and turned into Soylent Green