Does anyone think this is a good idea?
TracFone Wireless, the Tennessee Department of Safety, local nonprofits and elected-officials will launch SafeLink Wireless® to aid 812,807 low-income households in Tennessee.
…the SafeLink Wireless service will provide Tennessee’s eligible low-income households a free cell phone, unlimited mobile access to emergency services (911), and over an hour of air time each month for up to one year
Hold on, hold on. First of all, free International calling?
Second, there are 2.3 million households in Tennessee, 812,807 are “income-eligible” (If you’re on TennCare you’re eligible). So 1/3 of Tennesseans can get a “free” cell phone with 68 minutes of “free” service? Each cellphone costs the Federal Government $10 a month. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s $10 a month x 12 months, x 812,000 people = $96 million a year? And this is JUST Tennessee. This is a national program. The great state of Tennessee is just the first of many. If everyone who is on food stamps (25 million) gets a free cell phone, that’s $3 billion a year.
I love the headline of the press release, “Nearly one million Tennessee Households to benefit from free, government supported wireless phone program.” Free AND Government-Supported?
I called the SafeLink people and my question was, “How much is this program going to cost?” Their response: “It won’t cost the person anything.” No, no. Not how much will it cost the poor person (and I use the term “poor” loosely, I’m this close to being eligible), how much will it cost THE REST OF US?! That’s how out of touch people are today. Their thought process ends at, “Free Government Program.”
This brings entitlement to a whole new level.
The Worst Father In The World Award:
My Favorite SlaterRaider Kelvin:
66 Comments
August 14, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Sorry, guess I’m out of touch, I hadn’t heard about this. So I haven’t heard the actual REASON (or what’s being called the reason) behind why ‘poor’ people need cell phones and why the rest of us have to pay for them. Is it because payphones have or are going the way of the dinosaur? Don’t get me wrong, having emergency services at your fingertips is a great thing. That is the ONLY reason I carry a cell phone myself. I don’t even know if I have the ability to make an international call. 2.3 million Tennessee households divided by 96 million bucks comes out to about 50 bucks per household. I could probably find something else to do with my $50.00 that would benefit MY family.
August 14, 2008 at 2:59 pm
[...] Slater is not feeling so good about this news: TracFone Wireless, the Tennessee Department of Safety, local nonprofits and elected-officials will [...]
August 14, 2008 at 3:07 pm
maybe they could just give the free phones to the state government employees they lay off?
Just kidding….
This is STUPID!
August 16, 2008 at 8:11 am
I see the reasoning behind this.
We already hand out free housing, free food, free transportation, free healthcare, free education, free utilities.
Since everything is given to these freeloaders, they dont have or need a job, but they need to have something to fill all their free time. So they do need a free cell phone so they can call their dealer or whomever.
Next month the announcement will be a free computer, internet service and satellite tv.
July 25, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I MUST SAY THAT YOUR COMMENT MAKES MY STOMACH TURN. PUTTING EVERYONE IN THE SAME CATAGORY AND STATING THAT THEY WILL CALL THERE DEALER. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE SHOE COULD BE ON THE OTHER FOOT? I’M GLAD I DON’T HAVE YOUR PARENTS.EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT MAY RECIEVE ASSISTANCE FFROM THE GOVT. DO NOT WISH TO STAY IN THAT SITUATION FOREVER. MY ANT WAS ILL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS,ALMOST A YEAR AND SHE USED HER SAVINGS TO PAY HER RENT,FOOD ETC. SHE NEEDED HELP AND THE COMPANY SHE WORKED FOR WENT UNDER. SHE HAS WORKED SINCE THE AGE OF 18. PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAKE ME PROUD TO HELP THOSE THAT NEED HELP. IT DOSE’NT MATTER HOW THEY GOT THERE, WE SHOULD HELP STOP FROWNING UPON THOSE THAT SEEK GOVT. ASST. I WILL SEND A PRAYER FOR YOU.
July 27, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Sheila,
Much like your aunt (learn to spell), I have found myself in difficult situations. I have fallen victim to circumstances beyond my control. I lost a job due to plant closure after 9-11, and subsequintly developed an incurable disease which cost me over $400 a month in medication. However, I felt like my burden was my own. I did not expect strangers to pay my way. I did what ever I could to get by (legally). There was a time I had no telephone, or cable. It was my season to do without. I perservered, picked myself up, went back to school at age 29 (payed for it myself) and made something of myself. Why should I have to pay for your aunt a cell phone? You are her neice, you pay for it. You seem religious, where is your church family and why are they not paying for your aunt a cell phone? Why are her problems, everyones problem. I do not mind helping those who help themselves. I think many of the people who are posting on this site feel the same way. However we should have the right as Americans to decide who we help and who we do not. If I came into your house and stole you TV because my mother did not have one, you would be outraged. That is how I feel when the Government reaches into my wallet to buy your aunts vote. It is not right, and I am tired of it. You and your aunt can do what ever you want, just keep your hands out of my bank account. People should be rewarded for being successful not rewarded for being complacent. Your mentality and those who think like you, that everyone has a right to everything whether they earned it or not, are the reason America is in this mess we are in now. You can blame Bush, but without individuals who felt like they diserved a life style beyond their means; there would not have been a housing crisis. You and your aunt just need to accept the hand God dealt you, and the lack of initiative you have both had on your lifetimes. You are the reason you are in your situation and only you can make your life better. Stop looking for help from the Governement, and stop blowing my money.
October 19, 2009 at 7:38 am
Why are all these dumb ass motherf****** worried about people who get assistance. Mind your f****** business. If you don’t need the phone move on to another topic. The government is only giving sixty minutes to the people who are eligible any f****** way. Wow big deal. Leave them alone. Its not like they are giving out blackberrys they are cheap as phones for emergencies. Why does it bother people that the government is doing this? What happened to people wanting to help people? What has this world come too. What goes around comes around. Remember that s***!! You never know when your ass will have to apply for this phone. We are in a resetion. Sheila I am sorry about your aunt. I hope everything goes well for you and your family.
August 19, 2009 at 10:32 am
what most of them free loaders do work but have feel on hard times they have been layed off from their jobs they had for years i think its okay. i pay my taxes if it can help one of them i would be happy to. like the late grate Michael Jackson said Start with the man in the mirror and that is a good saying so before you call all of them freeloaders think before u speak. go to church u got the devil in u. I bet u do the drugs.a*# whole
August 28, 2009 at 10:15 am
Well I’m someone who needs govt assistant…..I’m 32 years old, married for 11 years and i have 4 kids ages 11, 9, 7, 4(all by my husband)…..i’ve worked since i was 16 and 3 years ago my husband and I decided to call it quits on the marriage…..He’s a barber and he dont help me like he should; maybe a little bit here and there; and mind you not I work a 40 hour job in a hospital everyday……and its still not enough to make my ends meet……so to all of us that helps out the unforunate……GOD BLESS YOU IS MY PRAYER…..
August 29, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Let me tell you something. I a 53 year old who has MS,also a single mom with a 18 year old . She is a senior in High School. I receive disabilty but no other FREE stuff. I cant afford a cell phone, sure I could use one. So if you think all a person like myself does is sit on out butts and wait on hand outs you are so wrong. I get NOTHING FREE. Also I no longer have a husband due this wonderful illness, so I am really on my own. I hope you are never POOR. Because it hurts. You should really THINK before you type!!!!!!!!!!!
October 29, 2009 at 12:16 pm
First of all, I can sympathize with the poor, I am by no ways rich or have money, however “why” is a cell phone needed. I grew up without a cell phone (matter of fact we had a party line phone). The issue here is “what” is needed to help the poor. Food I am ok with, shelter I am ok with. When the “wants’ and “needs” get confused that is when people get angry. Again why a need for a cell phone…for many many years there were no cell phones or internet (which (for the poor people) — where is the need in having internet), obviously you have internet or you would not be able to post comments. When I had no job, I canceled my cable, my internet and anything else that was not necessary. A cell phone is not a necessity. Internet is not a necessity. Having a vehicle is not a necessity. Food, clothes and a roof are. Until people can give up there wants, then there is a issue. The goverment does not know when to stop helping and what is really needed, only the people that are in need know that. My church provides needy people food and clothes if they need it…not a cell phone.
September 24, 2009 at 9:10 am
barry I am disabled I am not a freeloader your a jackass
December 20, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I am disabled and live in Georgia. Is any of available to me here? Hope to hear from you. Dan
August 16, 2008 at 12:51 pm
BTW Mike. The ring-tone thing you did on your show Friday was halarious!
Get a job, indeed!
August 17, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Who came up with the idea to make it 68 minutes…did they find that poor people tend to talk for 68 minutes a month or did they just tell someone to choose a number between 1 and 100 and the person choose 68. By the way I think this entire program is stupid, if the person really needs a tracfone they cost like 15 bucks at target.
September 4, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Just so all of u know not everyone in Tennessee are free loaders……Alot of people in the area i live in are disabled persons…..And i do work in the health care field so trust me when i say this it would help the low income or set income families in this area….I mean if they are not disabled and were looking for a job where would the employer call to see if they did want the jobs???? Or how would a school get ahold of a parent if the child were to become ill.. Don’t Judge people It’s not a good quality for one to have….You never know u could need help someday…..Just because someone needs help from the system does not make them a free loader i just means they may be down on there luck!
September 5, 2008 at 2:41 pm
You people are so full of yourself!! Not everyone is selling drugs and getting over on the government. I work at a home for people with disabilities and they have a very hard time trying to get approval for a cell phone!! Most of them can not get regular jobs due to the disability. I think it is fine for these people to have a phone in case of emergency or to speak for a short moment with a family member. Just because you people consider yourselves rich and privileged at the moment does not mean you are better than others. All of you are probably just one pay check from the poverty level.!!!!
September 13, 2008 at 7:25 pm
However did our parents and grandparents survive (poor or not) without cell phone service?
TN doesn’t have a program for low cost landlines in place already?
My DH is disabled, I’m chronically ill – IMHO those excuses are used far too often
September 13, 2008 at 8:59 pm
April,
If someones child is sick and they need to get a hold of a parent they can do what they did in the good ole’ days. Call the parent on their work phone or their home phone. A potential employer can call the home phone as well. A cell phone is not a neccesity, it is a luxury. We survived for many years without them.
Brooke,
Just about every cell phone company has some sort of prepaid plan that does not require any approval or credit check. Anyone can get a cell phone these days.
Next excuse anyone?
July 5, 2009 at 2:40 pm
You ppl. Are ridiculous. I am on disibility because I have a chronic illness. I can not work be I will lose my insurance if I do. The check is only 600 a month. This is great because I can’t afford a phone not even a track phone. After paying rent and utilities I have about $50 for soap, toilet tissue and food. Not to mention I am in college and trying to live. My parents were abusive growing up so they don’t really help me at all. I remember one day I woke up and couldn’t walk and I just had to lay in bed until the feeling came back in my legs. I can’t even call the utilities place to get an extension on my bill or call school to check on things and not having a car makes it any better. Not everyone is a free loader some ppl are just unfortunate.
July 27, 2009 at 9:52 pm
That’s funny. I have a mentally retarded aunt that is 60 years old and she has a job. I bet you could find a job if you wanted to, but its much easier to sit around crying about your situation. If there was no disabiliy check coming, what would you do? I bet if you got hungry enough you would find the modivation to get off your but and make a living. And why do you get to live off the governemnt while you attend school? I had to work my way through.
September 29, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Yes they do have reduced rate plans for home phone services its the link up and lifeline plans they just extended them to cell phone as for someone that has worked 15 years of the 29 years of my existance and having been laid off truly it is a blessing to receive a free cell phone with 68 mins to check on my 78 yr old grandmother who i cant check on in my car since gas is 3.50 a gallon and my unemployment check is 208.00 dollars per week with 465 dollar rent, 70 dollar car insurance, and at least 150 dollar mlgw bill also blessed to have 5 dollars left in my pocket. so no all of u arent multiple baby having by different men, welfare excuse me tanf, food stamp hogging, any government assistance that we can get our hands on slackers. Life does happen I hope never to you with your attitudes.
October 10, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I think these should be a corresponding program for the rich, such as a free Mercedes Benz automobile.
October 17, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Wow! WHY should people who already get welfare have a free phone on top of all the other benefits they receive. What a joke! Might as well go on welfare, I think it pays better. I have to pay for my LUXURIES what a concept. I guess the foreigner welfare abusers also get another freebie. I FFFIINNGG give up.
October 29, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I heard about this program today. Un-friggin believable. Then I read some of the comments posted above where they support it.
To those people “YOU ARE WHAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY.”
We are Americans. We are a ‘can do’ people. 812,000 people in TN don’t need free cell phones at the expense of the rest of us who DO STRIVE to put food on our families table.
If you have a brain go read Bastiat’s “The LAW” and maybe, maybe, you might understand what socialism is all about.
But no I don’t expect you too because your probably sitting on your ‘fat’ a__ waiting to see what else the gov’t is going to provide you with.
Sooner or later the ‘real’ American people are going to literally grab their pitchforks, guns, or whatever and let you and everybody else know they have had enough of this crap.
November 10, 2008 at 1:26 am
Do you people not see that this has nothing to do with freeloading or phone service? This is to get GPS tracking devices into the pockets of people who were largely “off the grid”, typically more the UNDERemployed crowd of under $28,000 a year, not the “freeloading” government check crowd. This is big brother spying and finding a way to wrap it up with an attractive bow, nothing more, nothing less. Watch the commercials and listen to pitch about all the great things you’ll be able to do with it. The RFID tattoo will be sold to you for a bucketload of great sounding reasons, too.
November 13, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Can they at least give these people the right info? Their ads call the company “Safelink” which is actually “safelinkwireless.com” with it’s parent company being tracfone.com. I receive numerous phone calls in error from frustrated applicants. Some are obviously needy where others are looking for the free handout.
November 14, 2008 at 9:31 am
I am upset at with everyones attitude here. Some people really need govenrment help. I am 39yo male and I worked since I was 15 1/2 years old. I did everything right in my life that I could with society. Then 4 years ago I was diagnosed with tumors in my right lung and am now on disability after years of chemotherapy. MDs cannot stop my progression. I dont think right most of time from after effects of chemo..brain fog. I collect food stamps..disability and yes the cell phone that everyone here wants to take off me. Why are you so jealous of the government helping people. There really is people out there that arent in it for a hand out! I would happily give you the 68 minutes the government gives me on a cell phone every month in exchange for your healthy bodies so I can go out and WORK! My body is shot at 39yo..imagine that! So dont talk about whats fair and unfair in thsi world. Shame on all of you who have nothing better to do but pick on the poor. Understand that to qualify for this cell phone people who already have a credit on their home phone if they have one is $13.50. They must remove that credit to get this 68 minute per month trac phone. So, taxpayers are not paying out more money its the same. However, people who are sick liek myself can have this cell phone if I am out and get ill and need to call 911. Thank-you, America for not forgeting the poor and sick.
May 22, 2009 at 11:34 am
Life is not fair. Some people live long healthy lives others do not. It is what it is. If I decide to give to the less fortunate, that should be my choice. Why does any group have the right to take what is mine and give it to someone else? There is no way to legislate equality. If someone is born with a mental illness, is it up to the governement to make sure we all have mental illnesses? If a child is born with HIV, should the government go around and mandate an injection of the virus? I think not. So why then, when individuals find themselves in certain hardships, it is the governments place to take away from one to give to the other? It doesn’t make since. I have had periods in my life when I could not afford a cell phone. My answer was not to turn to the governtment for help. I worked 100+ hours per week for years. I saved up my money, and I went back to school as an adult. I completed a degree online, while working 50+ hours per week. Now for all my sacrafice and hardwork, my family can enjoy a better life. I pay for life, health, and disability insurance to make certain my family has a good chance continueing the same lifestyle if something were to happen. I also save money when ever possible, instead of spending every penny on trivial luxuries. Why then should I have to pay for others to have luxuries, who many of which could have avoided their circumstance had they made better decisions in life?
December 18, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Well while I was in the Army protecting most of you whinners I was injured in the line of duty. I can’t work, run, Jump, go to the club, play volleyball or make love to my wife. So you know I believe I deserve every free thing the goverment ( and that includes all you whinners ) will give me because it is hard. So shutup serve your country and suffer.
January 26, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Apparently I’m way late on this issue, but I wonder what happens when those “free” 68 minutes are used to call a psychic, or one of those other 1-800 numbers that charge by the minute. Where does THAT bill go, hmm? I wonder…
February 4, 2009 at 9:35 pm
If you think those people need a cell phone THAT BAD!!!……pay for it yourself and leave me out of it!!!!!! I’m a business owner and I pay for enough…..NOW SEE WHAT YOU DID….YOU GOT ME STARTED!!!!!!
February 27, 2009 at 12:48 am
YAY Paul! Smash your computer screen while your at it! Do us all a favor!
March 9, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Thank you Rob for everything you did for all of us. In my opinion we cannot do enough for our service men and women. From one “cripple” to another (as I have had seven back/neck surgeries/bed bound), I understand how difficult it can be to even open your eyes in the morning and realize “your position.” I will be forever indebted to you and yours for your sacrifice. I pray that you get as much ability back that is possible or maybe even a “miracle” and you get abilities you were never expected to get back. God Bless you and yours. Mizpah. As for the actual subject, I am probably entitled to the “free” cell phone, but as I don’t feel it is necessary for me, I will not be getting it. I also pray that as a Country that can send men to the moon, we can find some sort of system that weans out the truly entitled from the “loafers” as has been said???
March 25, 2009 at 11:41 am
Not everyone who collects assistance is out to defraud the gov’t. There are many of us who work and pay our HIGH taxes to the gov’t. There are also many of us who don’t work now due to illness/injury – circumstances beyond our control. Our serviceman or ill people like Philip and people who are truly down and out should be helped out. The freeloaders and people who make gov’t handouts a way of life are what give the truly needy a bad name. Don’t be so quick to judge.
March 26, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Rob, thank you for your service, you deserve everything that this country has to offer and more!
A lot of people are acting like this phone and/or other tax-payer funded programs are “owed” to you, since you are not able to provide for yourself, then everyone else should provide for you. When in actuality you are probably in your position due to poor decision making skills. I pay over $7000 a year in insurance and that is a fact. I am quit sure that some of you people had the opportunity to purchase insurance, but thought it was too expensive. Now you have found yourself in a position that has made you dependent on others to provide your necessities, if we can call a cell phone a necessity. Some of you may have had the opportunity to further your education, but declined, it also was too expensive. Some of you may have had the opportunity to take better care of yourselves, eat right, exercise, don’t smoke, don’t drink, but choose not to. Now you are in a position where the tax-payer has to compensate for your unfortunate choices.
March 27, 2009 at 8:41 am
This is the most ridiculous program I have ever heard of. This entitlement mentality is what is ruining this country. We are cutting education budgets but giving out cell phones to people who aren’t contributing a thing to society. I have read a few comments from people working in the medical field with disabled people, if this was just limited to those people, why not just give them a land line at a discount or free. Why do they need cell phones? The commercial says that you pretty much qualify if you are on any kind of government assistance. So can we expect to see people who sell their food stamps for drug money to start selling their minutes for the same? I would rather see the government subsidizing a company like Life Alert than handing out cell phones to “wellyouoweittomefare” recipients! Where does it STOP????!!!! If the current administration gets it’s way, I guess it won’t.
May 3, 2009 at 7:13 pm
What I don’t understand is everybody is bitchin’ about “Free Cell Phones” to people on general assistance {Welfare}. And talkin’ trash about how we’re all lazy, don’twannawork, & not worth a rat’s ass. How about trying to work a part-time job, find a decent apartment, & live a normal life without some form of communication{No Prepaid Cell Phone}! If America would get up off it’s dead ass & quit watchin’ tv, drivin’ to the store 1/2 mile away for cigarettes, & actin’ like {It’s Not My Problem}. We’re not the ones RIPPIN’ YOU OFF! Talk to the bankers, big money CEO’s, & political fat boys! So what if someone on welfare gets a free cell phone? We’re just tryin’ to survive like you.
ricHard Tymes ~~ hardtymes@gmail.com
October 28, 2009 at 9:29 am
When does it take a cell phone to survive?Surviving without one now,right? If you want a cell phone so bad drop your internet service it’s not required to surivive, when I’ve gotten down and out I had to do without things like internet and such.
May 26, 2009 at 7:03 pm
The world’s so self-serving. Hey I’m not poor, I wipe my a** with dollar bills. In order to continue my lavish lifestyle, my life would not be complete without my cell phone. OH NO!
My Social Security Disability income came 2 yrs after a devistating accident. Unable to drive. A single mother of 2 beatiful boys. with little savings. After divorcing & saving 6yrs to purchase our home, with 70,000 equity. An 18 yr annuity plan, worth 30,000! Three days after surgery, I was forced to sell , lost our beautiful home forever & lost 60,000 all in ONE HOUR ! My Lawyer of 21, years, I spent much time helping to set a precedent. I told him I needed his help! He didn’t even advise me there WAS FREE MONEY out there to help save my house. He took my 60, 000 * CELL PHONE MONEY & my life. I NEVER see my Sons. They are young and stuck & I CAN’T HELP THEM, OR SHOW THEM HOW TO HELP THEMSELVES.
Every morning for 7 years, I wake up spending many hours sending out 1000’s of resumes over the years and I’m not getting any calls? An **extremely flexible job at HOME is hard to find. (*Flexible: means, days I can sit & type. When I’m not at therapy, recovering or in severe pain or seeing one of MANY Dr’s, when all the medications don’t make me slur words & sleep!)
Don’t you dare call me poor. MY DISABILITY is not poverty level at 1102.00 I get no assistance, I pay the State 200.00 right off the top for my medicare. I bet all you critics have cell phones and the 900.00 I live on every month, is probably less than each of you spend stuffing fast food or elaborate meals in your faces. Washing it down with fine wines each month. Then without a thought write off elaborate personal items on the taxes YOU SAY GIVES OTHERS A FREE RIDE?!?
YOU are the POOR people. I feel sorry for you! Sorry you feel no compassion. Acting like you are personally effected that people are helping other people. All you complainers would be the first in line for handouts if you lost your cell phones. Disabled or not!
Now where are all my job offers, my offer of car repair (not a mercedes, just a 1996 taurus). I guess you have to be on 20/20, an ex executive who made 750,000- to be worthy of being saved, noticed or have anyone care?
Damn that is more than twisted!
Keep judging POOR people, it’s utterly productive. I advise you to keep friends and family close. You have no idea, or time for preparation when it happens to you or someone you love. I pray it never does. Let me assure you the least of your worries will be losing a damn cell phone!!!!!!!
It just might help you understand why some people need a free phone.
August 13, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I am not worried about losing my cell phone. If my financial situation became such that I had to let it go, so what. There are worse things to live without. As for keeping friends and family close, I do, and I would like to believe that they would help me if I got in the situation you state you are in. I don’t need the government to keep telling me who I need to help. I already help my grown children, and don’t need anymore to raise. And you can’t pay $200 per month for Medicare when the premium is $96.40 per month. And you will find the majority of people who are against things like free cell phones NEVER drink “fine wine.”
June 7, 2009 at 11:30 am
This is just amazing to me. Im a soldier serving in Iraq. I call my dad to let him know his little girl is doing okay over here and he tells me about this program to give “free” cell phones to those who are on wellfare. I was so shocked by this information that I didn’t even believe it. Please forgive me for not wanting to bend over backwards to help people who aren’t willing to help themselves. Now I’m not talking about disabled people. I am talking about the WORTHLESS people who expect a freakin’ hand out. I joined the military when I was 17 years old. I get the lowest form of health care, I go to war with equipment that we bought from the lowest bidder and now I hear that MY MONEY is going to pay for someone elses LUXURY (not necessity). I have two kids and I am a single parent and guess what I do a little something called WORK to get the things that I need/want for myself and my children. This program is just a symbol of the down fall of america. Hearing stuff like this ALMOST makes me ashamed to be an American.
October 28, 2009 at 9:33 am
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! I’m a Vet and a single dad and I agree 100%.
October 31, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Thank you and God Bless you for serving our country. YOU make me proud to be an American and I agree with everything you said 1,000%!
June 7, 2009 at 11:38 am
By the way, my mother and father survived just fine without a damn cell phone. These excuses for this upsurd program are irrelevant. A cell phone is not a necessity. However takes this “free” cell phone who is not disabled in some why should be ashamed of themself. Another thing, they should stop calling a free cell phone and say exactly what it really is: a cell phone paid for by hard working people. There is nothing free about that. What is happening to this country.
July 5, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Remember the Bible says the way you judge others is the same way Jesus will Judge you in the last days.
July 7, 2009 at 10:00 pm
The bible also says that if a man doesn’t work, he doesn’t eat. I find it hard to believe that Jesus would be willing to take people’s hard earned money and give people who don’t want to work cell phones.
I find it funny that we hear all these disability stories and are being BLASTED for no compassion. As if us not wanting to work our jobs and have our tax dollars go to CELL PHONES. We aren’t talking about food, not talking about shelter. We are talking about a LUXURY that wasn’t even invented until about 20 years ago.
Forgive me if I’m cold and heartless because I don’t wanna get up and go to a job every day, just so my $ can be taken from me to provide somebody with rollover minutes.
July 17, 2009 at 6:32 pm
So I just heard about a plan that Virgin is coming out with where there are super cheap rates for the unemployed. It’s completely bogus because I’ve been a Virgin user for years and because I have a job (as low income as it is) I do not apply for this plan. I am a low income college student and the TracFone Safelink plan is awesome…but the Virgin plan does not help me out at all!
August 7, 2009 at 5:56 am
Well, Ohio just did this too. I just don’t believe it. You know I guess I could see giving them a phone for emergency purposes. But why give them minutes? Any modern cell phone is capable of making a 911 call regardless of whether its activated or not. Why would you have to give them minutes if its for emergency purposes? And why 60 mins a month. I barely use my phone 60 minutes in a given month. If its for emergency purposes why would you need any minutes on it?
August 13, 2009 at 9:26 am
My husband and I have chosen to not have a cellphone. We have also chosen to not have cable (and a one-time fee for an antenna that receives digital gives us all 11 channels). We have CHOSEN to do these things (and more) so that we can get rid of our debt and have a better life in the future and give a lot away to those in need (but reputable organizations that we choose to help).
As others have mentioned, we live in a wonderful country where we have choices, choices to work, choices in what to buy, choices to help those we choose to help. Let’s go out, kill it, and drag it home!
September 17, 2009 at 11:52 am
I really do need a cell phone but im not able to afford one. If this offer is true then how do i apply for one
September 24, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Nancy,
Did you get your answer to this? Copy and paste this into your browser, or find the link toward the top of this page: http://www.SafeLinkWireless.com
I just found the site today and applied there. It says I can check back within a few hours to see if I qualify.
Nancy, I need a cell phone too. I hate it. I have refused for years to get one and saw it as am unnecessary item. Then I lost my job and I have found out that employers will not wait for me to return their call. The job goes to whoever they reach first and everyone else has cells. It’s just another way the poor stay poor.
It’s too bad that we have to read through all of the above to get some help.
October 4, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I say this hole hearted lee , these are the reason,s america is in the trubble it’s in . STOP
October 25, 2009 at 1:19 pm
What a bunch of lies. 73% of the people on welfare are there due to own choice and democraps willingness to put them there. There are trillions of dollars of unreported income earned every year by so called “poor” who are declared eligible for welfare by democraps because they don’t report the these earning. Even the drug dealers, prostitutes, thieves, are getting welfare. Welfare is the democraps way of buying votes so they can retain power. You people who believe there are folks who die for lack of health care, kids going hungry for the lack of available food, or other such nonsense are emotional idiots.
October 26, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I’d have to agree with you for the most part. I’ve seen too many people who can’t wait to get their kids on SSI checks (currently almost $700 a month each) because they have ADHD or are slow in school. The money they get only goes to help mom or dad; the kids get medicaid to pay for any treatment they need. It is VERY rare for anybody getting a disability case to ever admit themselves that they’ve improved enough to come off disability, even if they’ve gotten a job and are working full time-they still want the checks to continue.
October 25, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Whatever happened to depending on yourself for your survival -simply making due with what you’ve got?
One should always strive for improvement; yet one must consider that your life, no matter how unfortunate or miserable or downtrodden you feel it may be, – you must remember that your life is but the grandest gift of all, and your most coveted possession. It would seem that with what little of Grace I know, that one who chose to endeavour to constantly be humbled, grateful, and thankful to thier Creator for such a gift, could hardly be want of anything…
October 27, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Dear Chief Special Master Grand Mystic of Philosophy,
Today I was DAZZLED by the Thomas Hobbs quote and your own cogitations on the power of words.
Oh Wise One, I have a conundrum that can only be solved by one with your almost infinite insights.
Here is my riddle: If Nancy Pelosi changed her name to Beyonce Knowles, would she look better and sing better?
(I breathlessly await your answer.)
A seeker of enlightenment from Hornbeak
October 27, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I’m all for helping people who honestly need help. However, when there is a FREE phone (to the welfare person) that gives 68 minutes a month and will COST tax payers 10.00/mo per person that qualifies for this I do have a problem with this.
I personally do not feel every individual on welfare should qualify for a cell phone. If the person lives in a home and has a home phone then NO WAY should they get a cell phone. If a person lives in a group home or shelter or vehicle and has NO access to a phone then YES by all means give them a cell phone for job searches. I’ve got no issue with that. I do think there should be stipulations involved. Whom ever is given one of these phones must turn in so many applications per month and have had so many interviews scheduled.
I’m sick and tired of people saying they can’t find a job. I’m sorry but if you were a secretary and have ONLY been applying for jobs like that then you need to go apply at a fast food chain or you need to apply elsewhere where you WILL find a job. People who NEED a job really shouldn’t be picky in times like this and when I pay HIGH taxes to support this then I feel whom ever gets assistance should have to WORK FOR IT!
If a person is on disability I know they can’t work. I’m not talking about a person on disability. However, if you are on disability and you have a home phone then you should NOT be entitled to have a cell phone.
People need to understand that many do abuse the system. I hope people who really need assistance can understand why many of us do get upset about things like this. Its because of those that abuse the system and refuse to get a job because they’d rather “freeload”. I’ve got no qualms with the individual who WANTS to change their current situation. I’m HAPPY to help you out. But, its the ones that continue having kids so they can collect more money and sit on their but and yell at their kids all day.
I’ll help those who need help and who WANT to get back on their feet. I do get pissed at those who do not fall within that category though.
October 28, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I do have to say…..it strikes me as rather ironic, and perhaps makes me a racist or something to point this out, but I’m gonna do it anyways:
*ahem*
To the posters above complaining about being disabled, poor, et.al., and cannot afford a cell phone….um…you are posting this on an internet blog….which kind of means you already have some sort of access to a COMPUTER and INTERNET ACCESS and you are bitching about a phone??
********************************************
“Human wants and needs are potentially insatiable.” -Maslow
October 30, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Not everyone who accepts gov’t aid is a freeloader. Wake up – You only hear and read about those who abuse the system because *that is what makes a good news story!* The freeloaders are a drag on the system no doubt, but the majority of those who are on aid actually need it.
Why should taxpayers pay? For the same reason we all pay school taxes even though some of us don’t have kids. SOCIETY benefits when everyone can read and write and SOCIETY also benefits when we can all find work.
Last I checked, employers need to be able to call job applicants back – sort of impossible without a phone. And since the gov’t is only footing the bill for ONE HOUR A MONTH, this is hardly a free luxury.
My family wouldn’t have survived without gov’t aid programs. We sought and received help, pulled ourselves out of our situation and my parents will watch me graduate college next year. I couldn’t bear to deny anyone assistance when they struggled like my family has. Strangely, our family and others like us didn’t make the news.
October 31, 2009 at 7:51 pm
This is another example of “cradle to grave” government subsistence! If you can’t work and earn your own cell phone, then don’t have one—it’s as simple as that. I live within my means and only buy what I can purchase. If I don’t have the money for “it”, I don’t get “it”. I’ve worked my ass off for what I have and don’t think I should have to pay for thousands and thousands of other people’s cell phones because they are down on their luck. I get up every morning at 4:30 to go to work, and have never asked, nor taken anything from the government. Some people are producers and others consumers. Enough is enough.
November 3, 2009 at 8:12 pm
If you don’t work, you should not eat. If you can not afford a phone, you should not have one. If you can not afford health care. You should die. Then the world will be populated with producers, not burdens. At America’s current rate of decline, no-one will have anything. Then who will the Government steal money from to buy their votes?
November 24, 2009 at 3:27 am
I AM DISABLED AND CAN NOT PURCHASE ANY PHONE
THANK YOU
December 8, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I AM 13 YEARS OLD I MIGHT BE A TEENAGER BUT I TRY VERY HARD TO MAKE A LIVING I ASK MY MOM TO BUY ME A PHONE FOR MY CHRISTMAS BUT SHE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY ONE ITS MY DREAM TO GET AN I PHONE BUT I GUEST MY DREAM WILL NEVER COME THROUGH RIGHT I WOUL BE DELITED TO HAVE THE FIRST GIFT I HAVE EVER FOR CHRIST MAS PLEASE LET MY DREAM COME THROUGH
December 8, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I ALWAYS WANTED A I PHONE FOR CHRIST AS AND MY PARENTS CANT AFFORD IT I WOULD BE SO THANKFUL TO GET MY FIRST CHRISTMAS GIFT IN MY LIFE YOU WOULD MAKE MY DREAM COME THROUGH PLEASE ANSWER MY PRYERS
FROM ALOVING TEENAGE GIRL FROM JAMAICA TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING
December 20, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I love how some people refer to the Safelink program as “an Obama phone.”
WTF?
The program’s been in effect for 25 years and finally recognizes the reality of cell phones as a viable option for communication.
And the phones themselves are cheap, low-end devices, but the right wing echo chamber rails against this because of the perception that cell phones are somehow “luxuries.”
Crazy.