Free Government Cell Phones?

[Rockman]

C. Everett Coop supports them! "Every senior citizen should have Life Alert." Those are almost as good as Wilford Brimley's diabetes testing supplies commercials. My wife is extremely tired of me saying "You check your blood sugar and you check it often, there's no reason not to."

Only reason I watch Price is Right. Need to get my Wilford Brimley fix.

[jaybird_1981]

I heard about this, don't they only give you like 12 minutes a month or something as welfare?

It varies by state I believe but in Tennessee it says you get 68 minutes a month.

[shortking98]

It varies by state I believe but in Tennessee it says you get 68 minutes a month.

That seems excessive. I could see how they might try to justify it for emergencies or job searching or something but that is a little much

[jaybird_1981]

That seems excessive. I could see how they might try to justify it for emergencies or job searching or something but that is a little much

Yep, the only way I would possibly be for a free cell phone would be like redgonewild said if it was recycled and could only dial emergency numbers.

[OnePimpTiger]

Only reason I watch Price is Right. Need to get my Wilford Brimley fix.

Yeah I used to love Price is Right, but not with Drew Carey.

Apparently my state (NC) is one of the 5 or 6 that don't offer this yet. I'd be very happy if it stays that way.

[StainLss]

Unfreakinbelievable...anyone want to defend this? Or do we just all agree that this is ridiculous, unnecessary government waste?

I'm not very good at debating but i will make a point or two.

I think the idea isn't horrible as long as its used correctly. If it's only given to members who are indeed low income and you only get X amount of minutes per month i don't see a huge problem with it. But i think it would be even better if they only were able to contact "
emergency services" police fire and poison control.
-John

EDIT: should have read the whole thread before i made my post... its already been said.

[thebighurt035]

i couldn't agree more....completely & utterly insane

if they were recycling old cell phones and giving them to the elderly and the only numbers they could dial were emergency personnel, i might not have a problem with it...

but cell phones are not a necessity at all...unreal

Agreed.

I have a few older cellphones that are not activated and you can still dial 911 and it works only for that....

Old used phones for emergency "911" only for the elderly would be a good idea.

What a waste of money.....

Roy