Another reason to quit your job!

[Lamron]

If you've been thinking of giving up on the whole "work" thing and just let the government supply your house, food, and medical care, but haven't yet for fear of loosing some luxuries- not to worry!

We already know that the government will be providing the digital TV converter boxes, and now they will supply you with your cellphone and free minutes:

www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx


I'm starting to feel more and more foolish going to work each day.

[a Silly Person]

Did you notice that this service is not available in many areas?

I entered my zip just to check and this is what came up:

Area not Supported
We’re sorry, but SafeLink Wireless does not currently offer Lifeline Service in your area. We are currently offering service in parts of Tennessee, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia, with plans to begin offering service soon in the States listed below.

Alabama, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Delaware, New York, D. of Columbia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania

That's not really fair, is it? If the program is not available nation-wide, it shouldn't be available to anyone. Let's really be fair about this and scrap the whole idea.

Since when has a cell phone become a necessity?

[Garp {eng}]

*snip*Since when has a cell phone become a necessity? *snip*

I dare you to suggest that to my daughter!

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

Lol!! garp


But seriously... we don't need that crap. If you can't afford a cell phone, cut out the beer and cigs, and weed and then maybe you can afford it. I don't do any drugs, no drinkin, etc and I always can afford a cell.

[a Silly Person]

Dec 3, 2008 9:30:12 GMT -5 Garp {eng} said:

*snip*Since when has a cell phone become a necessity? *snip*

I dare you to suggest that to my daughter!

Oh no. I'm not stepping onto that trap! LOL

I am currently concentrating on teaching, not taching ;D , my kids to think less-wasteful and to appreciate what they have. Hopefully hey will take better care of what they have so it will last longer.

My daughter, who is 10, knows I am not getting her a cell phone. Ever. In fact, I won't let her get her own, unless these conditions are met:
1. She has a job.
2. She has a checking & savings account with money in both.
3. She has a B-average or above.

My kids are going to learn the value of a dollar... no matter what the value of the dollar will be when they reach maturity.

[Garp {eng}]

I do agree. my daughter has her phone and its like a third arm, BUT she pays for the top ups from her sat job, if she uses them up before she gets her wages then tuff she knows that a mobley is a privalage not a right :-) Hard dad ain't I :-)

Gota say though we all have mobiles as we don't use the land lines anymore, mobiles are cheaper to use over here, as the landline cost £15 per month before you start paying for your calls and we pay for local call to.

[Garp {eng}]

Dec 2, 2008 19:27:32 GMT -5 Lamron said:

If you've been thinking of giving up on the whole "work" thing and just let the government supply your house, food, and medical care, but haven't yet for fear of loosing some luxuries- not to worry!

Err over here you get all that and the luxuries, its called immagration status :-) (bad garp, getting political)

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

I've never understood why teenagers insist that their parents are expected to pay for their cell phone. I never even bothered asking my parents, because I knew the answer. if I wanted something, I saved up and bought it myself. They helped me buy my car by loaning me the money, but I payed 8% interest on that loan. Was only $1000. I do occasionally ask for help from my parents, as I'm sure most everybody my age has, but I always pay them back in good time. Kids these days are too spoiled. They expect to have everything handed to them, and unfortunately many of them get that luxury.

Its not a crime to be rich, but if you are rich, teach your kids some responsibility and make them do chores around the house before you get them that brand new mustang.

[Death's Shadow]

Im a harsh and mean father, non of my kids were "given" cell phones, cars, etc. If they wanted that stuff they got a job and paid for it themselves. I had too, and it did not kill me.

BTW did you guys know that any cell phone here in the states will call 911. You do not have to have a service plan on your phone. It just has to be charged up and receiving a signal.

[Major_A]

I've tried to explain that this is one of the reasons I didn't want the kid to be given a cellphone as a play toy but the problem child keeps giving him her unactivated one to play with. He is under 2yrs yet, but serveral months ago, he dial'd 911 on the big phone

This is the main reason I used though-

The other problem I had with this is that a combination of electronic stuff, batteries added with tons of drool seems a little unsafe to me on several levels. The toxic stuff leaching into drool mainly.
Although he is button pushing now just as much as he drools.

What do you think I should do if it happens again? I have no qualms of snapping it in half.

[Death's Shadow]

toss it in the trash

[I...Died...Again!!!]

Just a thought here Imy daughter has one (15). We too have all cells and no home phone. As soon as she gets out of school it is to be turned on. All of our cell phones, Mine the wifes and the daughters have the gps shit in them. Mom and I can turn ours off but little one cannot. At any given time of need I can find out where she is. No lying about the library and at the boyfriends for her. And God forbit the unthinkable should happen there is a chance to get help there as soon as possable.

[Major_A]

Inactive phone she just carries around bc she's not to have one.

I can see your point especially if you live in a big city, but this particular child, well just to point a few things out so you understand better.

I had to lockdown all the other computers in the house for all of them eventually but this one just couldn't figure out why my wife and I didn't like getting our phone number and where we live to boys all over the country and getting phone calls all hrs of the night.

Then she couldn't figure out why it was bad to be talking out the bedroom window to boys or anyone after hrs or other untill she broke our new $300 window one day, and still did it after that.

Then she couldn't figure out why we had a cow when she was 13, she screwed the 19yr old down the street..and the cops/state/courts did NOTHING to him!

Then after the next few guys she did, she couldn't figure out why we were so upset when some of them were right in the house. One of them probly wouldv'e got stabbed if I'd turned around at the right time before the backdoor flew open...this particular night was very long , but in his haste, the neighbor kid got a new pretty bike that he found real close to his yard ;D

Little things like that and more,... and believe me, there is more. She was finally sent to her fathers house bc it's all my fault and I'm such a bastard step dad and her mom don't love her. Her dad and girlfriend got her a phone and we are evil.

I'm just saying cellphones are a luxury item to me and most people I know. I met numerous nice people when my car was broke down when I was younger -closest house- ;D

[Death's Shadow]

I feel your pain Major. I had 2 of my 5 step children be like that. I was the evil stepdad that would not give out everything on a silver platter to them. God forbid I imposed and enforced the rules. It was not pretty at times, but they stayed. Mostly I suppose because their dad was nowhere to be found until his death in San fran. (We were told he died from hepatitis from needle sharing) So I was the only real father figure they ever had. I made mistakes along the way but like to think I taught them right from wrong. They are now out on their own and learning the hard way that my rules were not so bad, and that the real world is a lot rougher on them and wont give them everything on that silver platter either.

So keep your chin up. I know your pain and someday that same girl will thank you for teaching her right from wrong. Even though she is getting what she thinks she wants at this particular moment.

[Lamron]

With the government robbing your fellow citizens to pay for your housing, food, medical expenses and cell phone, you'll have plenty of free time to cruze around in your new car!


news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1170630

MASSACHUSSETTS Gov. Deval Patrick’s free wheels for welfare recipients program is revving up despite the stalled economy, as the keys to donated cars loaded with state-funded insurance, repairs and even AAA membership are handed out to get them to work.

But the program - fueled by a funding boost despite the state’s fiscal crash - allows those who end up back on welfare to keep the cars anyway.

“It’s mind-boggling. You’ve got people out there saying, ‘I just lost my job. Hey, can I get a free car, too?’ ” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading).

The Patrick administration decided last month to funnel an additional $30,000 to the nearly $400,000 annual car ownership program.

The program, which is provided by the State Department of Transitional Assistance, gives out about 65 cars a year, said DTA Commissioner Julia Kehoe.

The state pays for the car’s insurance, inspection, excise tax, title, registration, repairs and a AAA membership for one year at a total cost of roughly $6,000 per car.

The program, which started in 2006, distributes cars donated by non-profit charities such as Good News Garage, a Lutheran charity, which also does the repair work on the car and bills the state.

Kehoe defended the program, saying the state breaks even by cutting welfare payments to the family - about $6,000 a year.

“If you look at the overall picture, this helps make sure people aren’t staying on cash assistance. It’s a relatively short payment for a long-term benefit,” Kehoe said.

But Kehoe admitted about 20 percent of those who received a car ended up back on welfare, and while they lose the insurance and other benefits, they don’t have to return the car.

“Given the state’s fiscal condition, paying for AAA and auto inspection costs is outrageous,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield). “There are so many families out there trying to deal with layoffs and pay cuts. You have to wonder what the state’s priorities are at this point.”

Applicants for cars must have a job or prove they could get one if they had the car in order to qualify. Once they have the wheels, they must send DTA their pay stubs to prove they are employed.

To get the cars, they must be unable to reach work by public transportation and have a clean driving record. The program is only available to families on welfare with children.

Kehoe said the bulk of cars go to places with less public transportation, such as Fitchburg, New Bedford and Lowell.

“I can’t believe there are no restrictions on how they use the car,” Jones said. “I just don’t see this as a core function of government.”