Well, since I did not imply that RM was stupid, I guess the can't read or comprehend is a relevant question.

 

I thought it was a bit of a leap as well. It's what I brought up before IMO. All people who get aid aren't abusing the system. All people who get aid aren't looking to improve their life and working hard to get a job. Yet that's what we hear as arguments. I'd say there are more people abusing the system than we'll ever know and my guess is it will get worse and worse in the future. That's what people want to end. Nobody in their right mind doesn't want people who genuinely need help to get it.

I'm with you to a point. The problem is for decades the American dream was to get a good job and support a family. There are more and more Americans being raised w/ their hands out. Why work if you don't have to if you were raised that having your hand out isn't so bad? When/where does it end?

 

And I'm with you there 100%... I don't want to turn a blind eye to all of the people who are taking advantage of the system, but I also don't want to let my heart be hardened by paranoia that every (generally speaking) person that is getting government assistance is doing so.

 

I'm all for more strict requirements/screenings to qualify, but I'm not for the elimination of any of these programs that have been discussed in this thread.

Don't be so defensive. No, I'm not implying you can't read.

 

The thread is talking specifically about cell phones being given out. When talking about the cell phones you said "how many people are going to use it specifically for that purpose?"

 

So, asking what rules and conditions are on these free phones seems like a fair question. So , again, what is your understanding of the conditions placed upon those using these phones?

 

My general understanding is people who qualify get either free or discounted cell phones and minutes, but the amount of minutes are limited.

My general understanding is people who qualify get either free or discounted cell phones and minutes, but the amount of minutes is limited.

 

How long? How many minutes?

And I'm with you there 100%... I don't want to turn a blind eye to all of the people who are taking advantage of the system, but I also don't want to let my heart be hardened by paranoia that every (generally speaking) person that is getting government assistance is doing so.

 

I'm all for more strict requirements/screenings to qualify, but I'm not for the elimination of any of these programs that have been discussed in this thread.

 

Agreed.

I thought it was a bit of a leap as well. It's what I brought up before IMO. All people who get aid aren't abusing the system. All people who get aid aren't looking to improve their life and working hard to get a job. Yet that's what we hear as arguments. I'd say there are more people abusing the system than we'll ever know and my guess is it will get worse and worse in the future. That's what people want to end. Nobody in their right mind doesn't want people who genuinely need help to get it.

 

Did you even read that I said, I DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PROGRAM if it means getting help for people who need help?

 

It was in post #20.

Did you even read that I said, I DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PROGRAM if it means getting help for people who need help?

 

It was in post #20.

 

Can you quit yelling at me? I was sticking up for you. I was half joking w/ Clyde saying him asking me that question was implying I couldn't read. Even though I know he wasn't actually implying I can't read. I'm with you on this.

How long? How many minutes?

 

See I can read. You said earlier that you read that in Ohio it's 68 minutes a month for no longer than one year. Here's what I'd ask though. Is someone monitoring how these minutes are being used?

Don't be so defensive. No, I'm not implying you can't read.

 

The thread is talking specifically about cell phones being given out. When talking about the cell phones you said "how many people are going to use it specifically for that purpose?"

 

So, asking what rules and conditions are on these free phones seems like a fair question. So , again, what is your understanding of the conditions placed upon those using these phones?

 

I wasn't trying to be defensive either. I was half joking. I really didn't think you thought lbbc was calling RM stupid. My bad. Apparently it came off wrong.

See I can read. You said earlier that you read that in Ohio it's 68 minutes a month for no longer than one year. Here's what I'd ask though. Is someone monitoring how these minutes are being used?

 

So how much can they abuse the system in 68 minutes for one year?

 

While I do not know the answer to your question I'm going to assume that it works like a prepaid plan where your minutes are your minutes until they're gone and they you're done.

So, if people need a cell phone to get a job, don't they also need free newspapers and internet (and a computer for access to) so that they can search job listings and such. After all it would not be convenient for them to go to the library or career center. Someone with better access to the listing will beat them to the punch. And how are they supposed to get to the job interview. Perhaps we should consider free cars, or at the very least taxi gift cards. And lets not forget that they will have to look nice for the job interview, so we should probably consider free suits as well.

So, if people need a cell phone to get a job, don't they also need free newspapers and internet (and a computer for access to) so that they can search job listings and such. After all it would not be convenient for them to go to the library or career center. Someone with better access to the listing will beat them to the punch. And how are they supposed to get to the job interview. Perhaps we should consider free cars, or at the very least taxi gift cards. And lets not forget that they will have to look nice for the job interview, so we should probably consider free suits as well.

 

Why wouldn't it be convenient to go to the free library? Libraries in many areas are reporting record numbers of users of its computers due to the economy.

 

Secondly, this is not just about getting a job. Its about having access to public safety.

 

Even though none of this money involved for these free phones is from federal tax dollars I'd rather spend a little now on helping people find work than paying a lot for them to not work.

Let's be reasonable, people. Look at your own cell phone usage. How many of you use less than 68 minutes a month? If someone uses a cell, they most likely use it well over 68 minutes a month. This plan does not give someone excessive cell phone minutes that they can just throw away. It does give them, if they have no phone, the ability to receive calls for interviews/jobs and emergencies. No doubt some won't go for that, but the opportunity is there.

Seems to me if people are that upset over this all they have to do is turn off their house and cell phones, pagers and don't use a voice of internet service provider then they don't have to pay for it.

Program has been around since 1984 in some form.

 

I read that in Ohio its limited to 68 minutes per month for one year.

 

Logic is that people need phones for job interviews and to have in case of emergencies.

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS180932+04-Aug-2009+BW20090804

 

 

 

Or to get a hold of their drug dealer. :lol: