The Democrats REALLY care about the poor. Hey they always use "helping the poor" rhetoric to justify helping themselves to the money in the taxpayers' wallets. And are they really helping the poor? You be the judge. Here are three recent head-shaking stories.
1) "Obama's Stash -
What did Detroit do with 15 million in "stimulus money?" They established a lottery to give it away. How many jobs is that creating? None. Oops...a clarification: judging from the video below their program stimulated police, fire, and rescue jobs to control the mob competing for the free dough. Go here to see a transcript of conversations with several folks in line who didn't have a clue where the money came from and attributed it to "Obama's stash." Pretty accurate since he considers the taxpayers his personal ATM machine.
2) Want a free cell phone?
There's a government-subsidized program called Safelink Wireless that offers free cell phones and free minutes for the poor. The program originally began in 1984, but it seems like the push to get millions added began this past summer. I haven't been able to find any information on what kind of government funding is involved (Is it coming out of the stimulus?) and when I tried to talk to someone at Safelink all I got were recorded messages and instructions on how to apply for my free phone. What do you think? Should welfare include free cell phones? Or does this give new meaning to the word poverty?
3) Buy a golf cart on the U.S. taxpayer.
This morning Good Morning America's talking heads were having a good chuckle over another stimulus program that gives a minimum $2500 rebate (and as much as about $6,000 depending on the type of battery) to those who buy street-legal electric vehicles -- like golf carts. Yes, you read that right. Your tax dollars are going to subsidize some guy buying a low speed vehicle to tootle around his neighborhood -- like Bald Head Island where cars are banned and everybody rides golf carts or bicycles. When we were there earlier this month (for the day - riding on rented bikes), we picked up a magazine advertising houses for rent. They cost about twice the comparable rentals at the Outer Banks and Myrtle Beach. So just think. People who can't afford a vacation at such an expensive resort can now subsidize rich folks who can, helping them buy golf carts for their two-cart garages. The goofs at GMA may think this is a laughing matter; as a taxpayer, I'm appalled.
But we can all say thanks to "Mmm...mmm...mmm...Barack Hussein Obama." This is turning into not only one of the most corrupt administrations in history, but a big joke as well. Remember when Obama said the stimulus would go to improve the infrastructure? Hey, the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Bridge is closed because of problems. Maybe they can just require everyone to drive golf carts or bikes.
Meanwhile, back in the real world...
ReplyDeleteIs this really a bad thing?
Not at all. This is actually a very good example of a public-private initiative.
The money has been collected by 25+ years and was applied to landlines. Under the Bush Administration, the program began to include cheapo, low-end cell phones (the ones that sell for under $10 at gas stations and discount stores).
TracFone provides the phones and minutes, and the recipients can buy more as needed.
I could see being upset if they gave away cars, iPhones or cable TV, but Tracfones are hardly luxury items and it's not worth getting worked up about, truly.
This is a travesty and it doesn’t matter who started it, the govt shouldn’t be giving away our money to “poor” people!
ReplyDeleteI’m also concerned about the program expanding! I hear that Virgin Mobile will be starting up their own version of this, using taxpayer dollars. WTF???
This is a great program and will be expanding through other providers.
ReplyDeleteVirgin Mobile will be rolling this out soon, I understand.
As a VM customer, I’m very proud of them for doing so!
I’m honored to use my Virgin Mobile TNT and knowing that my cell phone company is doing the right thing.