[GeronL]

The $8-billion Universal Service Fund is paid for by telecommunications companies, who must contribute a percentage of their long-distance revenue, often passing those fees on to their customers

Its a tax on YOU. The LA Times wants to talk all around it and not say it. YOU are paying for it.

[MrKatykelly]

So instead of discontinueing an obsolete tax they will justify it by spending it.

“If it moves, tax it; if it keeps moving regulate it; if it stops moving, subsidize it.”