Republican cites 'Obamaphones' to defend tax giveaway to the rich

[DonViejo]

https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/watch-republican-cites-obamaphones-to-defend-tax-giveaway-to-the-rich-and-then-gets-cut-down-to-size/

[underpants]

1. Lifeline originated in 1984 (Reagan) expanded 1996 (Clinton) & again with the Tracphone in 2008 (W)

"Obamaphone" is a dog whistle and everyone there knows it.

The Lifeline program originated in 1984, during the administration of Ronald Reagan; it was expanded in 1996, during the administration of Bill Clinton; and its first cellular provider service (SafeLink Wireless) was launched by TracFone in 2008, during the administration of George W. Bush. All of these milestones were passed prior to the advent of the Obama administration.
The Lifeline program only covers monthly discounts on landline or wireless telephone service for eligible consumers. It does not pay
cellular companies to provide free cell phones to consumers, although some cellular service providers choose to offer that benefit to their Lifeline customers.
Lifeline discounts are not available only to “welfare recipients” — these programs are implemented at both the state and federal levels, so qualification criteria can vary from state to state, but in general participants must have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines, or take part in at least one of the following federal assistance programs:

https://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/cellphone.asp

[Angry Dragon]

4. too many facts

[whathehell]

2. Oh no..not the "Obama phones" again!

Can someone please tell me where that idiocy originated in the first place? I always found it one of the more "creative" ones

[underpants]

5. See post #1 for the actual origination. "Obamaphone" is pure Fox News dog whistle

and RW memes on FB.

[whathehell]

6. Thanks. n/t

[nwduke]

7. FOX

..of course, the state run trump propaganda network!

[Angry Dragon]

3. kick

[jodymarie aimee]

8. 5 hours before the pig put his hand on the Bible Inauguration Day

he cancelled all those Lifeline phones....all my residents got letters...no more phones...I, along with my senator called 56 phone companies...nope, we don't do that anymore. Just another thing folks don't know, if it doesn't concern them.

[Glorfindel]

9. Interesting...did you happen to save one of those letters?

According to Snopes, that never happened:

https://www.snopes.com/obamaphones-to-be-cut-off/

And according to the FCC, the lifeline ("Obamaphone&quot service is still available:

https://www.fcc.gov/general/lifeline-program-low-income-consumers

If both of these entities are putting out false information, someone needs to set the record straight.

I love the fact that you called him "the pig."

[jodymarie aimee]

10. Everyone, elderly and disabled and poor

got a letter telling them their phone co (provider)cancelled their phone. There were 2 pages of phone companies you could contact to see IF they would carry you..the biggees AT&T to tiny local burbs of 2,000 people. We called them all...none of them did. I was so mad...we spent days doing this....I said why did these jerks even include the 2 pages to give them hope. Landlines and cell phones.

This also cancelled discounted internet....most of my folks don't have computers.

This is true, how would I know the date/hour he did it....believing nobody would notice on his big fucking day. The sources you provide may be able to get away with lying, as they can say BUT, you can call these companies....they MAY be able to help you. Get me?

Dirty rotten Rs...hitting the poorest on the first day...my folks make $4Grand to 11Grand a YEAR. In a million years, can you imagine living on $4Grand a year...Rent, food, medications, clothing........Most of my folks also do not have cars.

[Glorfindel]

11. I wasn't in any way questioning your statements. I worked in health care for many years

and have seen first-hand the hideous conditions that the poorest among us have to endure, certainly including the incomprehensible paperwork they're expected to understand and act upon. I was just hoping you had kept some document to refute Snopes and the FCC, though it probably wouldn't be worth the effort. As you point out, they could say, "these companies MAY be able to help you."
What a pathetic point we have reached in this country.

[jodymarie aimee]

12. another thing you guys wouldn't know

A single poor elderly or disabled adult in Walker's WI gets $15 Maximum FoodStamps a MONTH....pennies a day...how would you know this, if you aren't one of them....and my people have no lobby...nobody advocating for them. I work on this every day of the year. It is heartbreaking.

[ThingsGottaChange]

14. The free phones are alive and well

I've had mine for over four years. Got it through SafeLink Wireless. Other "non-big" companies participate as well. I've never gotten a letter about my phone. Actually, just got an email today for an offer for free minutes. Pretty sure that letter is bogus. AT&T et al, never provided this anyway.

More info: https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states



edit: replied to wrong post.
But, will add that that food stamp amount is about the norm at least in the midwest. Unless, of course, it's for a family. Iowa is $16. As is WI and MN and IL. The annual paperwork is more headache for someone like me than the $16.

[They_Live]

13. Andre Bauer...

Zombie? Werewolf? Vampire?

All of the above?

He looks like a refugee from an old EC comic.