I firmly believe that cell phones are a luxury. They make our lives easier, more convenient, and better connected. However, we hardly need them to survive. The federal government, however, believes them to be a necessity. So, in their infinite wisdom, they are apparently now giving out free cell phones and free usage to poor people.
I think it is an atrocity to redistribute wealth at all, but in order for people to buy luxuries is patently absurd. Although I do not agree with redistributionary programs at all, I can at least see what would make someone argue for food programs for the poor or even emergency medical care. But what could be the possible justification for taking money from others in order to let poor people buy luxuries? In the end, it's the logical conclusion of altruistic premises: I should sacrifice for others for whatever they may wish, since my needs are evil but their needs are somehow not.
Safelinkwireless.com
SAFELINK WIRELESS SERVICE DESCRIPTION
SAFELINK WIRELESS service (or Service) is a U.S. government supported program for income eligible households provided by TracFone Wireless. In order to participate in the SAFELINK WIRELESS Service, a person must meet certain eligibility requirements set by each state where the Service is to be provided. These requirements are based on a person's participation in a state or federal support program(s) or by meeting the Income Poverty Guidelines as defined by the U.S. Government. SAFELINK WIRELESS Service is limited to one (1) per household and only the head of household is permitted to apply for this Service. Any person applying for the SAFELINK WIRELESS Service must complete an application form, provide supporting documentation that he/she meets the eligibility requirements and agrees, under penalty of perjury, to the following terms:
- HE/SHE IS ELIGIBLE FOR AND CURRENTLY RECEIVES BENEFITS FROM THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM(S) IDENTIFIED IN THE APPLICATION FORM.
- HE/SHE IS A HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD.
- HE/SHE DOES NOT CURRENTLY RECEIVE LIFELINE SUPPORT FOR A TELEPHONE LINE SERVING HIS/HER RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS AND NO OTHER RESIDENT IN HIS/HER HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPATES IN THE LIFELINE PROGRAM. IF HE/SHE IS ALREADY PARTICIPATING IN ANOTHER LIFELINE PROGRAM, THEN HE/SHE AGREES TO CANCEL HIS/HER CURRENT HOUSEHOLD LIFELINE SUPPORT PROVIDER IN FAVOR OF SAFELINK WIRELESS.
- HE/SHE IS NOT CLAIMED AS A DEPENDENT ON ANOTHER PERSON'S FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAX RETURN.
- HE/SHE WILL NOTIFY SAFELINK WIRELESS WHEN HE/SHE NO LONGER QUALIFIES FOR ANY OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IDENTIFIED IN HIS/HER APPLICATION FORM BY CALLING 1- 800-SAFELINK.
- HE/SHE WILL NOTIFY SAFELINK WIRELESS OF ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS BY CALLING 1- 800-SAFELINK
- THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN HIS/HER APPLICATION FORM IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF HIS/HER KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.
A person who submits a SAFELINK WIRELESS application, together with supporting documentation (when required), and who meets the eligibility requirements, will receive a free cellular phone provided by TracFone Wireless together with a free allotment of airtime minutes each month for one year. TracFone Wireless will determine at its sole discretion whether or not an applicant meets the eligibility requirements to participate in the SAFELINK WIRELESS Service. The airtime minutes you will receive on a monthly basis will vary from state to state. Please call SAFELINK WIRELESS at 1-800-SAFELINK or visit our website at www.SafelinkWireless.com, for further information on the number of minutes you will receive each month (if you qualify to participate in the Service).
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2 comments:
Hi Jason, I understand that you don't believe in helping the poor and don't think that giving them cell phones can do any good but I encourage you to at least read the Sullivan Report in which it clearly shows how giving a cell phone to an unemployed person can give them the ability to work, consider freelance for instance or how hard it is to get a job when a prospective employer cant' phone to tell you that you got the job. In short, I believe that by helping these people in such a small way they can then help themselves and no longer be a burden on society; which is why I think that this Safelink program is really good.
Queen,
I want you to know that I do believe in helping the poor, I just think that it should be done through private charity and not through redistributive taxation.
From how you describe it, it seems like the program is a good idea in order to help people find work. Through working, not only can they provide for themselves monetarily, but they will have the pride of doing so.
~Jason
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