"Free cell phones for low-income Americans, one of the fastest growing welfare programs in the United States, is—by the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) own admission—rife with “waste, fraud and abuse.” And who is paying for these free Obamaphones? If you have a phone subscription, you are.
The program, officially called Lifeline, predates Obama’s presidency but has earned the colloquial name “Obamaphone” after nearly tripling in cost since 2008.
Almost everyone who pays a phone bill has an extra monthly charge that contributes to the Universal Service Fund, which covers Lifeline access. The government pays companies $9.25 for every person connected through Lifeline. Recipients typically receive a free wireless phone and a certain amount of airtime."...
But Bob, if it helps one person get a job, or keep them in contact with their drug dealers, isn't it worth it?
Plus BB, think of all the American corporations that it helps out. Obamaphones create jobs, hucksters can go out on the street and convince people that they need "free" phones.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
