What Do You Think?

[NotNow]

I would be interested in hearing what you think of this program:

https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx

[Lunican]

It looks like a decent program.

[NotNow]

I should have been more specific.

Do you believe that the Federal government has the Constitutional authority to be providing this service? 
If yes, do you believe that it should be limited to "hard wire" phones, or is buying cell phone minutes acceptable to you?

[NotNow]

Technically, I suppose you are right.  The Federal Government makes the telecoms pay into a "Universal Service Fund".  The FCC oversees it.  This "fund" then assists low income recipients.  Most telecoms recover their "contribution" through that little line on your telecom bill that says "Universal Service", "USF", or something like it.  I use Sprint, which calls it "Universal Service Access Fee".  Although telecoms are not required to pass the cost along to customers, I don't know of any that don't, and I don't blame them. 

So technically your right, this is a tax on the telecoms, but they are allowed to pass it on, and they are good enough to even label it for us.  It is a fee (tax) that everyone that I know of who utilized telecommunications pays.  And it is required by the Federal Government.  That is what makes it fall within Constitutional authority, it just applies to the telecoms.  If the telecoms just absorbed it and just raised our rates, then there is really nothing we can do about it. 

I am not really opposed to the program, and I believe that some basic telecom service should be part of the "safety net" provided to all persons in this country.  As long as the telecoms provide the hardware and don't rip off the subjects, I don't really have a problem with using cell phones either.  It just strikes me as an insidious and sneaky way to redistribute wealth.  I would rather a more honest and straightforward way of doing this be used. 

That's my 2 cents. 

[Lunican]

The FCC also pushed for the creation of 911, with the cost paid by telecom customers.

With the recent removal of nearly all pay phones (and Fire Department call boxes long gone), this program makes sense.

[Lunican]

Also, they only provide 1 hour of airtime per month. 

[CS Foltz]

Well just a small bit of information to add......Federal Universal Service is one tax, State Communication Service Tax is another, Utility use is another and don't forget Local Communication Service Tax.....for me that adds up to $11.21 total which overall I think is a bit steep........that is one sixth of my bill!

[NotNow]

It is kind of irritating, isn't it?  It also makes it difficult to understand how much we are taxed in total.

[Lunican]

The best option may be to cancel your phone lines. Or at least reduce down to one.