It was all the telecom companies’ doing.
So there you have it. The Truth Team has spoken – so it is written, so it shall be done.
Because let’s face it, who can match this most transparent administration in American history when it comes to their commitment to the truth.
/sarc off.
John Sexton of Big Government reported back in June of the “Free Obamaphone” program:
A program called Lifeline provides free phones and free monthly minutes to anyone on food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, Head Start, and several other government programs. And just like food stamps, Lifeline (aka “phone stamps”) has been growing by leaps and bounds since 2008, at significant cost to taxpayers.
Lifeline was started in the mid-’80s to reduce the cost of phone service to rural and needy customers. The program’s costs are covered by a tax included on every monthly phone bill called the Universal Service Charge. The program eventually grew to include discounted cell service but took off in 2009, partly because TracFone announced a new program whereby eligible individuals could get a free phone and free monthly minutes. As a result, participation in the program (and costs) skyrocketed:
Program participation was stable from 2005 to 2008, from 6.9 million to 7.1 million participants, but increased to 8.6 million in 2009. Likewise, support payments were relatively stable from 2005 to 2008, from $802 million to $823 million annually, before increasing to approximately $1 billion in 2009.
LITTLE ROCK (KTHV) – Tim Griffin, a Republican Congressman from Arkansas, said he wants to end government issued cell phone program due to rampant abuse of the program.
“Some people are getting two, three, four,10, 20, 30, 40 cell phones.” said Congressman Griffin.
He says a few years back the government extended the program to provide not just land lines, but cell phone service.
The congressman said the program is being abused and people are even selling the phones. “I have a four year old that goes to a school here in Little Rock. She came home with an advertisement for a free cell phone in her backpack.” said Congressman Griffin.
Via Ace of Spades HQ, Uncle Sam’s Unlimited Plan: Learn more about this costly government giveaway:
It’s a another costly government giveaway that spiked under Obama that our grandchildren get to pay for.
Nice Deb 
The sad thing about it is that the people really believe they are getting the phones thanks to Obama.
LikeLike
They are.
LikeLike
Seen a couple of reports about people cheering Obama giving them phones.. In the programs defence it allows low income folks to have a telephone for emergency services, essentially a “land-line”, however somehow it has become a cell phone give away. Scary stuff when you look at the bill for the program now.
LikeLike
Just like all government programs – what started out as a modest, well meaning program, ballooned into massive, sickeningly expensive boondoggle that too many people have learned to scam. And I would suggest that the changes in the program made since Obama came in were designed to encourage such abuse.
LikeLike
Another Gubermint scam and guess who is taking it in the can . . . . .
Funny how there never seems to be a shortage of taxpayers money though.
LikeLike
Its too bad that people are abusing this aid from the government–I do think that basic communication is a right in our country and there are many working poor who would benefit from this–Rich people abuse the system too!
LikeLike