chanel
Silver Member
It's a question that has engaged both ends of the political spectrum since 2004, when the conservative Heritage Foundation published a controversial paper saying the poor enjoy "high living standards" and cited as proof that many have cell phones, among other things.
In rebuttal, advocates for the poor have argued that cell phones are not luxuries but necessities, as basic to modern life as electricity.
Among U.S. adults living in poverty, about 73 percent have cell phones, according to a study released last month by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 90 percent of all Americans own cell phones, various studies show.
Money for that subsidy comes from all phone customers, who pay a charge of up to $2 per monthly bill. "This is theft masquerading as charity," he said. "If companies want to help the poor, they should take the money out of their own hides, not their customers'."
Advocates say poor need available free cell phones | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/14/2010
We had this discussion before, but I didn't realize how expensive it was. We have 4 cell phones; and three land lines. At two bucks per month... I'm going to have to check our bill.
Do we get to claim that "charity" on our income tax? Or does the phone company?
The fleecing of America....