Posted on 03/13/2015 8:49:02 AM PDT by Kaslin
The interwebs are now, officially, considered a “public utility” according to the Federal Communication Commission. After two weeks, the FCC has finally released its 400 page plan to regulate the internet. (I’d say something snarky about this, but I honestly don’t know whether or not that’s still allowed… And, as a follow up: Do you really think it takes 400 pages to ensure an “open and free” internet?) Naturally, the next step would be for government to begin subsidizing internet service to potential Democrat voters low income citizens. According to the National Journal:
The Federal Communications Commission plans to soon begin working on a proposal to subsidize Internet service for low-income consumers by expanding its Lifeline program, which is mocked by conservatives as the "Obamaphone" program.
Wait… I have an idea: We can set up some sort of a federal exchange or marketplace. Maybe some DC bureaucrats can determine what “adequate” internet service is, and mandate that every citizen purchase a minimum amount of broadband capability?
All three Democrats on the five-member commission have publicly said they want to use federal money to help ensure that all Americans can afford to get online. Lifeline—which despite the Obamaphone nickname was created during the Reagan administration—currently subsidizes only phone service.
Gosh, they make it sound so harmless. I mean, people are only getting iPhones and Androids through a federal subsidy program originally set up to facilitate landline accessibility for low income America. What’s the big deal? Oh, and by the way, this is why it’s called “Obamaphone”:
Original Obamaphone Lady: Obama Voter Says Vote for Obama because he gives a free Phone
Even supporters of the $1.7 billion program admit that it has been plagued by fraud and abuse. The FCC and the Justice Department have tried to crack down in recent years on companies scamming the program.
Here’s the problem: The entire system works much like Hillary Clinton’s “voluntary” surrender of official emails… It’s on the honor system. Most companies (I’m looking your way, AT&T) basically get to determine for themselves whether or not someone is eligible for the subsidy. And, funny enough, the rest of us suckers who actually pay for our own iPhones get to fund this wonderful telephonic redistribution scheme through various fees and taxes on our phone bill.
But, that’s okay; because the FCC is confident they can suddenly expand this welfare program without expanding the burden consumers are already shouldering. After all, if government is good at anything it is expanding programs while restraining budget growth, right?
In all fairness, internet service is becoming more of a modern day necessity than a luxury. But Republicans have already called for expanding low-income accessibility to the world-wide interwebs, while reducing the waste-plagued Obamaphone programs.
Of course with Net Neutrality being accepted, and internet service being deemed a ‘public utility’, it won’t take much for the FCC to suddenly decide that a couple of fines and fees are in order to fund their latest entitlement handout. So, for anyone who still seems to believe that 400 pages of FCC regulation are harmless and benevolent, go look at your latest cell phone bill. All those fees and taxes were not enacted overnight. As it turns out, regulating industries into the ground costs quite a bit of money, and government agencies have a penchant for raising capital from America’s middle class. Now the FCC has the authority to tax your internet connection for whatever charitable scheme they ultimately devise.
Although, if you’re one of the millions of newly impoverished Americans (thanks Obamanomics) there is a silver lining: You might soon be able to get your own “ObamaModem.”
Comes preloaded from China with spyware and backdoors built into the chips.
This was my first thought when I heard about the “net neutrality” vote
Another “redistribution of wealth is a good thing” BS More “universal service charges” so that the lazy and “oppressed” can get free or subsidized internet to watch their XXX videos
Maybe the subscriptions can be free or subsidized too. Good Dem Larry Flynt thinks so.
They can hire all the unemployed Tremaynes, Key'ashas, Robertos, etc to answer phones and help the obamamodem users get online. It'll end unemployment in the inner cities.
What’s going to happen when they no longer have any “wealth” to redistribute, because the middle class is extinct? Oh, that was the plan all along-to share the misery. because people who were willing to work to support themselves and their families deserve the same fate as those who leeched off them.
Why are we still all being enablers for this? Maybe we should just stop earning money, spending money and paying taxes.
Not completely free but they’ve already got a start on it
The modems are useless without an ISP providing access. I’ve got a stack of Motorola and Ubee modems sitting behind me in my cube. Want one? They’re not useful without a service, so just like Obamaphones, they’ll get Internet service as well.
And just like with Obamaphones, the taxes the rest of us pay for high-speed service will go toward subsidies to pay for the rest of the useless takers to watch porn on broadband.
That said, most folks don’t realize that these “modems” are actually gateways that, if not configured properly, can expose them to the open Internet. Open connection to the Internet means easy pickings for anyone with a wireless card and some know how. I predict a rash of identity thefts among the poor and minorities.
This story right here.
Free Internet, Phones and Food.
Keep it flowing to as many people as possible and you can get away with ANYTHING.
Because then a Majority of People don't want their grave train interrupted by the mess that would be caused by people trying to stop him.
I’ll point this out. The word ‘identity’ is only mentioned three times in the 400 page document that the FCC released. Oddly, the one thing they could do something about and fix....they’ve done mostly nothing. I think you are basically right...they simply will open the door for more ID theft.
maybe included in the obozo’s Net Neutrality law is a plan to initiate the use of personally owned e devices for voting. The establishment in DC will assure everyone that the inter net is now secure and should be used by citizens to vote because it will increase voter participation, it will save the environment, money and the world by reducing global warming. It will also ensure more undetectable vote fraud thus guaranteeing the establishment hold on power in DC.
You also get Obama401K and ObamaBonds.
and ObamaVote.
and those that dont get ObamaPathway ...based on the UK Liverpool Pathway.
(Google "Liverpool Pathway Controversy" for how it works.
basically a short trip from ward to morgue)
The interwebs are now, officially, considered a “public utility”.
Looks like the good old boys got together and found a way to make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
This is about world domination and dystopia.
To be fair, as much as this number gets bandied about, my understanding is the actual regulations are only 8 pages. The rest of the document is background info and the FCC's response to questions they received.
That's not to diminish the potential impact of those 8 pages, but let's focus on the issue, not the page count.
use federal money to help ensure that all Americans can afford to get online.
This is what being an “American” has been reduced to under the commies, someone who can live on free shit from the nanny Gruberment.
Communists go under many names and we have many here.
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