What do you think about the Free Obama Phone?

1. 71

   Conservative Ladyposted 11 years ago

   What do you think about the Free Obama Phone?
   
   What exactly is the free Obama phone? According to the website: "The free Obama phone is a program that is meant to help the financially unstable who cannot afford access to a cell phone. Communication should not be limited to people in relation to what they are able to afford. The Lifeline program was actually created decades ago to help low income families have access to land lines. Over the years the cost of cell phones and cellular service has decreased and the program has been extended to cover cell phones."
   
   

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2. 72

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   They are low income. Now that they are getting free stuff, what is making them want to get better income? The more they don't work, the more stuff they get. It is a horrible system that is increasing our poverty rate and our national debt.

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   1. 90

      Georgie Loweryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Please don't generalize. Some people CAN'T work. And there have been free cellphones for disadvantaged people for some time. This is not new.

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   2. 71

      Conservative Ladyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Just because it isn't "new" doesn't make it right. Looks like the Obama Campaign wants to make it "new" as they are calling it the "Obama Phone." I work in Health Care and see so many able bodied folks taking tax payer funds cause they are lazy....

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   3. 72

      lburmasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I am aware that some people can't work. One of my friends cannot apply for medicare or government financial help since too many people sign that they have his condition and the government doesn't believe his difficult health situation.

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   4. 88

      TheKatsMeowposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I would say it does the opposite: you get the phone and it helps you find a job. If you don't have a phone how are employers going to contact you? So by allowing poor people to get them, it can help them out

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   5. 72

      lburmasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If you have a friend who got a job because of a cell phone with Obama phone, please bring them forward. Everyone has access to a phone. They could be using their parent's phone, their friend's phone, their wife's phone. Either way, there is a phone.

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3. 64

   Anne Pettitposted 11 years ago

   It doesn't really seem as if it is truly an "Obama" phone because it has been around for some time.  It makes sense since there are no longer pay phones on every corner, and it would help public safety for things like calling the fire department, or reporting accidents and crimes.  For these reasons, it is not just a "give away" to poor people, it helps the public at large.  Years ago, we gave our old cell phones to battered women's shelters so women could call 911.  I don't understand why this practical thing would bother anyone. Everyone gets "free stuff." Let's not make this another excuse to blame people who cannot afford everything we want them to have.

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4. 78

   junksellerposted 11 years ago

   Attaching one's name to a popular program in order to curry favor is hardly an unusual tactic these days. I think he has actually doubled the program though so I guess he can lay some credit to it.
   
   As for the program, I think it is a good one. A great deal of infrastructure, both physical and communications, has been, and is, publicly financed. But in analyzing this spending, you can't just consider costs. There are also benefits. People being able to more fully participate in life benefits us all. The added participation in the economy that is afforded by improved infrastructure probably easily pays for the cost of the program.

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5. 90

   Pamela99posted 11 years ago

   Sounds like another thing he wants to take credit for in this election. I think these phones that have been around for a while should be limited to those who are truly, physically unable to work. There is becoming less and less incentive to work as more free things are given away. The more babies you have the more money you get, etc. In nursing I remember a lady that was a drug addict but came in and delivered her 8th baby. She could have had a tubal ligation for free but didn't do the paper work. So, society supports these 8 children. This is a system that is broke and needs to be fixed.

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   1. 56

      Elliefaceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I love your answer. I completely agree with everything you said.

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6. 74

   d.williamposted 11 years ago

   the comments are astonishing.  People tend to generalize and pick one example of abuse as an excuse to tank the entire programs.  It really does not matter what the topic is, Pres. Obama will be criticized by those who dislike him.  If he does not win this upcoming election, people will finally see exactly how good he has really been when we disintegrate into the 1st century mentality again.
   Returning to old failed policies is not the answer, and this phone program was instituted long before Mr. Obama was on the scene.  He is getting blamed for mistakes made 10 years before he was elected.  Get real folks.

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   1. 71

      Conservative Ladyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      We generalize because there are so many reasons to not re elect Obama - too many. Can't have it both ways - I would bet Obama LOVES to take credit for these programs when folks are on TV saying "Obama gave me a free phone, I'm gonna vote for Obama"

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   2. 74

      d.williamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      we are all entitled to our own points of view, and i attest that there are more reasons to re-elect this president than the alternative.

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7. 86

   tamarawilhiteposted 11 years ago

   These Obama phones are not free. They are paid for by increasing taxes on everyone else's cell phone bills.

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8. 56

   Elliefaceposted 11 years ago

   Personally, I think it's ridiculous. Simple as that. We have SO MANY problems in this country and he is worried about the poor/those on welfare making f***ing phone calls? Give me a break!
   
   Secondly, I really don't like cell phones at all to begin with. You never know if "Big Brother" is listening in on your phone calls or tracking your every move by way of the cell phone's GPS (and things like that.)
   
   Just my opinion.

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9. 69

   onegoodwomanposted 11 years ago

   NO THING provided by the Government is FREE.
   
   
   All of my children  had a cell phone before, I had my first one.
   
   
   I DO NOT OWE a phone to others.

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   1. 71

      Conservative Ladyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree a million percent!

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