Posted on 06/13/2011 3:57:00 PM PDT by TheBattman
Every one of us who actually PAY for our phone service (land line or mobile) pay a fee each and every month for each phone line - it is called the "universal service charge". For many years, this "fund" sat unused, but collected by law. Fairly recently the government finally decided to put it to use - so they implemented a program for "low income" individuals to receive a prepaid cell phone with an allotment of minutes each day.
Many of us have probably seen or heard the ads on TV, radio, and even on the 'net.
I wasn't really familiar with the program until today...
We just checked the mail moments ago and found a smallish white box that appeared to be a cellphone. It had our address exactly correct - but a name that made no sense (Tiltilla MacDonad) - yes that is how it is spelled. It was shopped with an individuals name as the shipper, but originated from a company named "Life Wireless". This is one of those clearinghouse companies that basically serve to get these phones in the hands of the "poor". In the process, they get a "fee" for placing the phones.
I called and talked to a representative (after a longer than necessary hold time) and explained that this concerned me - did someone at that company just type the address wrong, or was someone trying to get a free phone and using different addresses (then presumably checking other people's mail?).
She asked for the address and then came back and asked for the name on the box. She then said that the only requirement to get one of the free phones is a name and an address, and they don't verify either. She said that they have this problem a lot - people using various addresses and fictitious names and getting a handfull of phones - all on the backs of the rest of us who actually PAY for our telecommunications.
They are sending me a return label to put on the box and send back to them... think I should charge them a handling fee? Seriously - what the heck? Is this kind of like the bit I saw on the Stossel show last night about the free bicycle helmets being given out freely in the most upscale and expensive neighborhood in all of New York (Stossel's own neighborhood)?
Actually, USF funds didn't go unused, they provided pretty much the same service for land-line phones as they are for cell. The low-income cell service subsidy has also been around for a while. I think recently some companies like TracPhone have been taking advantage of it and advertising it but I've known of it since at least around 2000. (one of the three times I've gotten through to Rush was to discuss this and that was a long time ago.)
Hey, I am still trying to figure out why the deaf get special taxes for access but the blind don’t get chauffeurs.
In the meantime, this is another example that there is no Government program that can’t/won’t be completely corrupted out of the starting gate, and the target population of that program won’t ever see a single benefit.
Sheesh - it never occurred to me that I could get a free cell phone from Uncle Obama
Funny how the government, in California, excises a tax of $1.50 a month to build an E911/GPS system that could enable pinpointing your location in an emergency but, in the 17 years you have been paying that tax any system that has been built is kloogee or hogepoge but, more likely non existent.
The tax is used to prop up general funds.
Imagine there are 30 million people in Kahleefohn-ee-yah.
How much would that amount to?
Bush.
Uncle Bush apparently helped launch this mess. If it is wrong under Obama (and it is), it was double wrong under Bush.
Our side claims to moral high ground of conservatism. Our side promises to shrink the size of government. Our side promises to be fiscally wise.
And voters make it worse when we don't put blame where it belongs and we let Republicans get by with this kind of garbage.
Free phone program popular, Fox Orlando^
Statewide participation in the federal Lifeline Assistance Program -- which provides either a $13.50 credit per month on a land line or approximately 60 free cell phone minutes -- leapt from 184,000 eligible customers in June 2008 to an estimated 598,511 last month, according to preliminary numbers from the Public Service Commission.
I don't vote for Democrats. I vote for conservatives. So called conservatives are the only ones I can take to task when they mess up. We all need to take them to task when they mess up and give away tax money that isn't theirs to give.
Sales Tax
School Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Excise Taxes
Property Tax
Cigarette Tax
Medicare Tax
Inventory Tax
Real Estate Tax
Well Permit Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Inheritance Tax
Road Usage Tax
CDL license Tax
Dog License Tax
State Income Tax
Food License Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Social Security Tax
Service Charge Tax
Fishing License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Building Permit Tax
IRS Interest Charges
Hunting License Tax
Marriage License Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Property Tax
Accounts Receivable Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the hell happened?
Bush was more of a progressive on economics than he was a Conservative... actually he was not very Conservative on many things.
LLS
” Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the hell happened?”
What happened is socialism, and both parties are complicit in the crime.
Low Income Support Mechanism assists low-income customers by helping to pay for monthly telephone charges as well as connection charges to initiate service.
Rural Health Care Support Mechanism allows rural health care providers to pay rates for telecommunications services similar to those of their urban counterparts, making telehealth services affordable.
Schools and Libraries Support Mechanism, popularly know as the “E-Rate,” provides telecommunication services (e.g., local and long-distance calling, high-speed lines), Internet access, and internal connections (the equipment to deliver these services).
_______________________________________________________
a wealth redistribution scheme.
During GWBush years, there was chatter about adiosing this fund. Then all stories of it disappeared. can't take billions from the feds.
So our primary target for finger pointing should be Clinton and the idiots in CONgress at the time, then to GW Bush because he failed to do anything to end the insanity, and now to Obama who has opened the flood gates....
Not sure who to blame. I believe LifeLine started under Pres. Bush. But i’ll go with your list - they could have\can stop the madness if they want to.
I just posted info from the USF web site, to fill in some of the blanks..
actually, this fund has been around in some form, since 1934, it’s current configuration came into law 1996. It’s regulated by the FCC.
Here’s an older article about the “proposed” overhaul
http://nitc.nebraska.gov/news/0504/EC_NewFCCchief.htm
about Lifeline.
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/universal-service-support-mechanisms
sorry about your troubles.
FreepRegards.
Great list. Thank you for posting it.
“Liberals” happened.
On both sides, in both parties.
An infestation of the profoundly naive and stupid idea that we’re just one law/tax/rule/government-nose-in-your-business busybody away from a perfect society.
Just one more.
And one more.
And one more.
And so on...
Agreed. I wonder how history will see President Bush?
Politicians freak out when you pull the list from your pocket and read it out loud to a crowd of people. I enjoy watching the blood drain from their faces.
Be sure to include all your local taxes. Make it worthwhile
LLS
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