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Free cell phones are now a civil right
NY Post ^ | August 1, 2011 | Abby W. Schachter

Posted on 08/02/2011 4:00:47 PM PDT by iowamark

Pennsylvanians on public assistance now have a new 'civil right' -- free cell phones. Meanwhile, the rest of us get to pay higher cell bills as a result.

Recently, a federal government program called the Universal Service Fund came to the Keystone State and some residents are thrilled because it means they can enjoy 250 minutes a month and a handset for free, just because they don't have the money to pay for it. Through Assurance Wireless and SafeLink from Tracfone Wireless these folks get to reach out and touch someone while the cost of their service is paid for by everyone else. You see, the telecommunications companies are funding the Universal Service Fund to the tune of $4 billion a year because the feds said they have to and in order to recoup their money, the companies turn around and hike their fees to paying customers. But those of use paying for the free service for the poor, should be happy about this infuriating situation, says Gary Carter, manager of national partnerships for Assurance, because "the program is about peace of mind." Free cell service means "one less bill that someone has to pay, so they can pay their rent or for day care...it is a right to have peace of mind," Cater explained...

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Politics/Elections; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: cellphones; civilrights; homosexualtotus; kenyanvillageidiot; muslimterrorist
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To: iowamark

Whatta cluster-blank.


21 posted on 08/02/2011 4:25:52 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: iowamark

Meanwhile, down here in FL, our welfare kings and queens have to pass drug tests that they pay for, to receive benefits. Heh, heh.


22 posted on 08/02/2011 4:26:43 PM PDT by Jacquerie
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To: iowamark

another sign of a nation on the way down


23 posted on 08/02/2011 4:27:17 PM PDT by paul51 (11 September 2001 - Never forget)
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To: iowamark

The reason this kind of thing happens, along with idiocy like the Unearned Income Tax Credit, is that we, as a nation, have acquiesced to the notion that the country is a collective, rather than a bastion of individual liberty, which it was founded to be. Because too many people have bought into this “noble” and lofty ideal of everybody having equal outcomes, nothing can get done that results in some folks having more and doing better than others. When you hear them say things like, “with a nation as great as this, I don’t see why we can’t provide...”, run for your wallet. Until the Republicans start clearly and forcibly start opposing and voting down collectivist policies, there will be more and more of this kind of stupidity.


24 posted on 08/02/2011 4:27:54 PM PDT by mtrott
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To: iowamark

Unbelievable :(


25 posted on 08/02/2011 4:28:30 PM PDT by Freedom56v2 ("If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait till it is free"--PJ O'rourke)
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To: WOBBLY BOB; Mears; True Republican Patriot

post #20


26 posted on 08/02/2011 4:28:57 PM PDT by UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide (REPEAL WASHINGTON! -- Islam Delenda Est! -- I Want Constantinople Back. -- Rumble thee forth.)
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To: umgud

If it’s a right, then everyone should have a free cell phone with 250 minutes. No one should have to pay for their cells. I know if I don’t pay my cell phone bill for a while, I lose my “right” to have the service.


27 posted on 08/02/2011 4:33:15 PM PDT by murron (Proud Mom of a Marine Vet)
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To: Jacquerie

How did that get past the ACLU?


28 posted on 08/02/2011 4:34:25 PM PDT by murron (Proud Mom of a Marine Vet)
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To: iowamark

They’ve had this for at least a year here in Ohio and not only that, but they run a TV commercial to let you know about it. The commercial starts with an ethnic grandmother, (Amish), worrying about not being able to let anybody know if she’s having an emergency but by the end, after she finds out she can get 250 free minutes a month she says “Now I can call my family anytime I want to”. But, but, I thought the phone was just for emergencies. If it is, what happened to those trashed phones that you and I were supposed to donate for that very purpose?. Not good enough to call 911?. Which begs the question, if you can afford to dress as nicely as the woman in the add you can’t afford a $10 cell phone?. Sheesh


29 posted on 08/02/2011 4:38:15 PM PDT by ADemocratNoMore (Jeepers, Freepers, where'd 'ya get those sleepers?. Pj people, exposing old media's lies.)
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To: iowamark
it is a right to have peace of mind," Cater explained

I'm sorry but that pisses me off so bad I can't see straight.

30 posted on 08/02/2011 4:38:25 PM PDT by upchuck (ANY plan that spreads cuts over 10 years is a canard. Cut NOW, not in ten years. 1% plan is a winner)
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To: iowamark

This is exactly the kind of bizarre mental thinking that convinced me of the need to leave Pa, where I was born. It is a geographically beautiful state, but the libs have taken over. So many taxes, fees, etc. We are so happy here in FL, living expenses are lower here in NW FL. Our highest PECO bill up there was something like $465, here (approx same sq ft) so far the highest power bill has been around $145! No state or local tax returns, life here is GOOD!!! Now, if they would just build a CostCo around here, I’d be HAPPY!! Ha!
RWL


31 posted on 08/02/2011 4:38:53 PM PDT by Right-wing Librarian
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To: iowamark

All the paying customers should sign up.

They will do the same with fast internet too, you will pay an extra fee to give to the poor for free.

When that happens we should ALL sign up for it. lol


32 posted on 08/02/2011 4:39:52 PM PDT by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Happiness)
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To: iowamark

Work is for suckas!


33 posted on 08/02/2011 4:40:25 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (The solution to fix Congress: Nuke em from orbit. It's the only way to be sure!)
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To: iowamark

Why work when you can get everything you want for free?


34 posted on 08/02/2011 4:42:02 PM PDT by bwc2221
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To: Right-wing Librarian

Oh, and I forgot to add, in Methacton School District in suburban Phila, they now offer families “that qualify”, very low cost INTERNET connection!


35 posted on 08/02/2011 4:42:12 PM PDT by Right-wing Librarian
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To: upchuck
it is a right to have peace of mind," Cater explained

I'm sorry but that pisses me off so bad I can't see straight.

Really? Then your rights are being violated. Would a free cell phone cheer you up?

36 posted on 08/02/2011 4:42:46 PM PDT by Steel Wolf ("Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master." - Gaius Sallustius Crispus)
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To: Steel Wolf

?


37 posted on 08/02/2011 4:45:23 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: GeronL

>>All the paying customers should sign up.

You can’t. They’ve had the program here for a couple years. There are big billboards in the welfare neighborhoods featuring a smiling negro woman with a cell phone in her hand and something like “If you qualify for EBT or WIC, you can get free cell phone service.” Then, it lists a phone number and web address to sign up.


38 posted on 08/02/2011 4:46:06 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (The solution to fix Congress: Nuke em from orbit. It's the only way to be sure!)
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To: iowamark

they’ve been getting free cell phones and service for years


39 posted on 08/02/2011 4:47:06 PM PDT by MadelineZapeezda (ChelseaHandlerZapeezda2)
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To: iowamark

Makes it easier to coordinate those “Disaffected Youth’s Property Redistribution Events” (flash mobs) that are all the rage these days.


40 posted on 08/02/2011 4:47:15 PM PDT by Free in Texas (Obama-Fraudulent, Dishonest, Arrogant, Dangerous and Incompetent...the left's perfect choice!)
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