Post
by MotoBoat » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:21 am
This government program has serious problems. Among them are: Cost, abuse, lack of accounting...ect! And yes, the taxpayer is funding through "Service fund fee" added to land line and wireless customers. Below are some highlights from one of Mike C's links.
The program is funded primarily by the Universal Service Fund fee added to the bills of land-line and wireless customers.
The Universal Service Fund provides discounts on phone services, or in some cases, entirely free services to low-income Americans. The fund helps pay for landlines or cell phones, whichever the recipient prefers.
Then, the fund covers phone bills to the tune of $10 a month, which typically translates as 250 minutes for wireless plans of the types of phones we’re talking about. Americans who receive food stamps, Medicaid, or other federal aid, or who earn up to 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, qualify for the program.
What’s more, an FCC audit of the program last year showed that many participants in the program were taking more than their fair share.
In 2011, Lifeline paid out $1.6 billion, more than double the amount paid in 2008 ($772 million).
What’s more, an FCC audit of the program last year showed that many participants in the program were taking more than their fair share. According to Businessweek:
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) has been taking a closer look at the program since she personally received an invitation to apply for a free, government-subsidized cell phone in the mail. McCaskill has asked the FCC to investigate Lifeline.
269,000 wireless Lifeline subscribers were receiving free phones and monthly service from two or more carriers. After eliminating nearly 270,000 of the duplicate subscriptions discovered in the audit last year, the FCC said it has already “saved” $33 million.
This last sentence is a spin on "saving $33million". Cause there is still 1.6 billion, and growing, left still to be saved!
I have encountered more than one "suspected" panhandler/homeless person, asking for a handout while on a cell phone talking t someone. They were not in the middle of a "job interview" or speaking to "911". That really deflated any compassion I had towards helping that person.
I and my wife have encountered more than one destitute person ask for money. We offered food instead. They declined or excepted only to throw it on the ground after we turned away.
There are enough scammers out there to not know if the donation is really needed. Or with drug and or alcohol issues, clouding good judgement.
My wife has helped several friends in time of financial need. None were required to pay back in a timely fashion. But all new it was a "loan" and not a donation. They were instructed to "pay back the money, when they could". None have paid her back!
One is a devout Christian, and received $150.00 to pay rent. She instructed "her friend (my wife) that payment would start once she got a job. That rent payment occurred 3 to 4 years, and a couple jobs ago.
I enjoy helping people. But am burned out giving cash. Now I donate my services, with my hands, through repairs. From gas engines to carpentry. Some items aren't worth fixing. But the challenge to McGiver something is fun, within reason. I am pretty amazed at what can be fabricated in a high quality fashion without having the specified tool for the job. But one fashioned to do the job. Or taking on a repair for the first time, with no previous knowledge.
For instance. My dad brings over a 2 stroke gas weed eater that is brand knew looking. But won't run. He would like to fix it to donate, for maintaining the grounds around the grange where he square dances. I check compression, spark, fuel. All are good, and therefore should run like a champ, but won't start. Next, squirt fuel into carb to bypass the entire fuel delivery system, NADA!. Scratch my head. Go look a several youtube vid's on fixing weed whackers and small gas engines. One video is striking, in that it mentions crank case pressure as part of the fuel delivery system of a 2 stroke engine. There are crank case gaskets that rarely fail, but are necessary for operation. There are two gaskets, one looks suspect. But never crossing this bridge before I was winging it. Through attempts to acquire new crankcase gaskets. It was discovered that none were available for the inexpensive weed whacker. Back to youtube to investigate how to make your own gasket. Two vid's instructing the use of a "brown grocery bag" or a cardboard container food items come in. Using the old gaskets as a template, a trisquite box was used for gasket material. Gaskets replaced, engine still won't start. Gas squirted into the carb, motor now starts! But won't continue to run on gas in the tank. Rebuild carb, and motor now runs on it own. Adjust carb high and low speed adjustments and this thing winds up!! Idles good also. I feel good, my dad feels good.
The other day, I am passing by a bus stop with people waiting for the 358 to arrive. A guy tells me, sir I need bus fair, can you help? Sorry, I have no cash and began walking away from him, and the bus stop. But I did have bus passes in my wallet from renewing my vehicle tabs. I offered two of those to him, on the condition he offer them to someone if he did not use them both! He agreed to the terms.
For some giving feels better than receiving, and for others it is the opposite. They are takers. For that reason I have switched to donating to charities that help homeless eat, feed, and cloth. Rather than a direct contribution to the individual and there possible/probable addictions.
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