Regis, I'll have to use a lifeline....
Long before the daytime talk show host ventued into night-time game shows with "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" which featured "ask the audience", "50/50" and "phone a friend" among its lifelines; the Federal government created a Lifeline program for consumers with low levels of income.
It was designed to make sure that every home had a phone in order to summon emergency services. That was the original stated purpose. That was long before cell phones and the like. Now, cell providers are actually seeking out homeless people and others who meet the low-income requirements, to give them free phones and sign them up for this service.
We can argue over whether or not the Universal Service Fee we all pay on our phone bills that funds this program is or isn't a tax. But however you come to terms with that fee, there's no arguing the fact that everyone who pays for their phone service is subsidizing free service for those who lack the means to pay for it.
That's fine if the service were solely to ensure first responders can be summoned when an emergency transpires. But 250 free anytime minutes and 250 free text messages as part of that plan just doesn't sound like a "lifeline". Someone who has a landline now through this program could abandon it and replace it with a free cellphone and free minutes/texts.
Where does it end? Will everyone end up with a smart-phone and a minimum data package because it is something we all need? Was there an amendment to the Constitution that added cell phones to those other rights like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Why stop at cell phones? Why not cars for everyone? Transportation is a need. Why should the poor be relegated to busses and other types of public transportation.
Don't twist what I'm saying. Everyone should be able to summon help in an emergency. But being able to text your buddy to let him know that the food at Shelter X is better tonight than at Shelter Y is not an emergency and not something the public should be subsidizing.
There's a simple solution. Limit these phones to the ability to call 911 for free. Let these people purchase additional minutes at reduced prices if they need to make personal calls.
It was designed to make sure that every home had a phone in order to summon emergency services. That was the original stated purpose. That was long before cell phones and the like. Now, cell providers are actually seeking out homeless people and others who meet the low-income requirements, to give them free phones and sign them up for this service.
We can argue over whether or not the Universal Service Fee we all pay on our phone bills that funds this program is or isn't a tax. But however you come to terms with that fee, there's no arguing the fact that everyone who pays for their phone service is subsidizing free service for those who lack the means to pay for it.
That's fine if the service were solely to ensure first responders can be summoned when an emergency transpires. But 250 free anytime minutes and 250 free text messages as part of that plan just doesn't sound like a "lifeline". Someone who has a landline now through this program could abandon it and replace it with a free cellphone and free minutes/texts.
Where does it end? Will everyone end up with a smart-phone and a minimum data package because it is something we all need? Was there an amendment to the Constitution that added cell phones to those other rights like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Why stop at cell phones? Why not cars for everyone? Transportation is a need. Why should the poor be relegated to busses and other types of public transportation.
Don't twist what I'm saying. Everyone should be able to summon help in an emergency. But being able to text your buddy to let him know that the food at Shelter X is better tonight than at Shelter Y is not an emergency and not something the public should be subsidizing.
There's a simple solution. Limit these phones to the ability to call 911 for free. Let these people purchase additional minutes at reduced prices if they need to make personal calls.
posted by me at 8:09 PM
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