The free government cell phone program is helping millions of low income Americans. But unlike those worthy millions, there are thousands of scam artists who bring shame to the program. Like the woman in this video, for example, who is wasting money that could be used to supply cell phones for Americans who really deserve them.
As if that weren’t bad enough, she mistakenly refers to her free government cell phones as an “Obama Phones” As we’ve discussed in great depth, that an inaccurate name. They could just as easily be called Clinton Phones or Bush Phones. See our write-up on the Obama Phone.
It’s a shame that this no-viral video was prominently featured on the Drudge Report this morning and hundreds of other sites today that are not understanding of the Lifeline free government cell phone program and how it helps millions of needy Americans. Detractors are now going to use it to try and defund the program. In fact, our site’s traffic is up 10-fold today already, as people searching for Obama Phone land on our pages.
We hope you’ll help us defend this valuable program. If you know someone who has a free government cell phone, but doesn’t qualify for it, please report them. Or, if you know someone who has multiple free government cell phones, please report them.
Keep the free government cell phone program strong and honest. Report scammers.
Jim says
Wow, listening to that trailer trash rambling on is indeed annoying.
Roy Odette says
I am one of those in no man’s land trying to be independent. I pay over $30,000 a year in taxes but can’t afford a cell phone. Why in the world should they be getting one? I am desperately trying to save for my twins college, my retirement, lost a lot of equity recently from two job losses/relocations, paying for health insurance (even dropping the vision care). We keep the heat at 64 deg in the winter. Owe no credit card debt, just one car payment (mid size) and the mortgage. The only luxury is cable for the wife and twins. I am about ready to throw in the towel to eat better, keep warmer, get a cell phone, cheaper internet, free school lunches, and other help.
serena says
I’m on disability and I have a magic jack phone . basic cable& basic internet thing are so high now that ONE cannot afford the extra luxzuries today SMH at the people who ABUSE the SYSTEM that’s why AMERICA is in the shape were in TODAY when things get HARDER in the coming years for OUR COUNTRY & ECONOMY PEOPLE WILL REALIZE the VAULE of SIMPLE LIVING…..
Jerry Werner says
Fisrt of let me say this, with the high cost of affording a landline at a $100 deposit and at least 75 dollars a month fot the bill. Now take a moment and consider if the person that has a free cell phone has children, and one of them gets hurt or their home caught fire or some other type of emergency arises how would they be able to call 911. They way people are today their neighbor would not let them use their phone or let alone call for them so the free cell phone program was established to help them find a job ( a needed tool to get a job) and get medical help, snf emergency hrlp when needed. The woman that called it the “Obama Phone” IS STUPID, AND YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID Not even the goverment can fix that
When that is a bad apple in the bushell you get rid of it, ( Throw IT OUT)
AND REMEMBER OPINIONS ARE LIKE BUTtHOLES EVERYBODY HAS ONE
Lakisha Blizz says
Jerry I understand because that was my problem people act ignorant over materialistic things, money is the root of all evil. People need to understand that because each person here has receieved something free in their life, only it wasn’t free it came from somebodies tax dollars. Stop whinning and leave the negative opinions to self. many say that’s why were going through what were going thru today. I beg to differ it’s because of things like these comments and people going against each other when they should be working tioegther to stop so many people from being needy. Surely u didnt just wake up to money( for the to good to be true) . Hummmm I ponder how we as people will ever come together as one. Emergencies situations the government seemed to pay attention to. Some are unfortunate due to disabilities and being a single parent or living in a shelter.
Mzdiana says
Problems with Smartphone….. I guess I should’ve got an OBAMAPHONE!
Mzdiana says
These videos of ignorant people ranting “Vote Obama” is the reason this country is in deep sh/it! I’m disabled on Social Security not SSI, and I don’t get handouts from the government! I worked, paid my taxes, my husband still works pays taxes. This free phone crap is just ridiculous! I’m sick of watching people who have never contributed to society continually abuse the system! You people that say your Christians and we should be more humane to these lowlifes make me sick! So when they break in your home to steal everything you’ve worked for,are you going to show them where all your valuables are after you’ve been beat, pistol whipped and the front door you had is gone from them kicking it in? Are you going to help them carry out your Nice TV & give them the keys to your car too? I believe in helping people who really need it, but the system of generational welfare has got to STOP!
That woman in the video was asked about Romney, I bet she knows nothing about politics, economy or about working for a living! I bet if she were to actually tell the truth she’s voting on nothing but pure skin color! She’s an embarrassment to her own race!
I’m sick of the government spending, supporting 3rd world countries, etc., but until Americans start pulling their heads out and vote the incompetence out of office this will continue. It’s time for America to close the borders, we let these people in, then they get here and want to change the Laws and The Constitution to fit their needs! I say enough is enough. Let’s take care of Our Own First! Those who don’t agree with Our Laws & Constitution need to go back to their Country of Orgin! Look at all the laws that have been made to accommodate these Foreigners! We were The Land of Opportunity but it’s been at the expense of Taxpayers of America! If this piss anyone off it’s because it’s the Truth!
be a 3rd world country, most likely taken over by China. Then so much for Our Freedoms as we know them! e are becoming the laughing stock of the World. We can’t take care of our own , but yet we keep the gates open for anyone who wants to come in, then they want to
Roy Odette says
Right ON!!
Chris G. says
The US Government is the most sophisticated and dangerous totalitarian Plutocracy in the History of the world. It operates for the benefit of 1% of the US population. It has concentrated all money, opportunity, power, in the hands of the few. The American people are predominately Indoctrinated, Socialized, and Brainwashed, which allows the people in power to get away with what they do. Patriotism is anathema with a conditioned response like Pavlov’s Dogs! If your Patriotic-Your part of the Problem. The US Government kills millions of people every year by iinstigating immoral and unjust wars for economic gain. The US Government polices up all money, opportunities through corruption and concentration of power causing peoples in this country and around the world to live well below their means and in abject poverty. If some poor soul happens to get a free cell phone whether they meet the guidelines or not-I think that’s Wonderful.
D. Lowrey says
For all of you who are nagging and moaning about this program…I haven’t read one solution…just how you think the government is stealing from you to give to someone else. Hope and pray that when each of you are down on their luck and need an employer to be able to contact you for a job and able to feed your family because of this safety net…each and everyone one of you will be out there demanding that you get yours.
Lakisha Blizz says
I totally agree with you people spend to much time complaining. Realize that one day you will be in someone else shoes if not you than your loved one. Stop complaining about spending tax dollars to help people who need it. Because surely someone had to help you. Tax dollars are being wasted everyday for petty things useless to us all. Lets unite rather than divide put a smile on your face for what you are doing. I agree with you no body has a solution,.
Beatriz says
How about this for a solution. No free phones.
Not A Jerk says
How about this for a solution… Beatriz parents should have used birth control.
Dave says
A cell phone is a luxury item. I do not own a cell phone myself. I have to forego the convenience so I can be responsible and pay down debt. Yet the government is plucking tax dollars out of my pocket to give others a luxury item I cannot afford myself. This is not right. A safety net is one thing, ensuring that as a compassionate nation we don’t leave the less fortunate starving in the street. This is another thing altogether, and something rather ugly at that.
americanmom says
The Glen Beck site the blaze has this as a feature story saying they are only voting for Obama because he gives them a free phone…
Lakisha Blizz says
Now this is what I would like to call ignorance. If Obama only gets your vote due to a free phone then it’s not worth giving it because apparently they have their priorites disaligned. Something has got to give with the ignorance today. I can’t wait until the government decides to pay for free education because that the world could use. Besides GED classes and K-12th but all education free to the world.
RCS says
I bet Obama was the one that created the name – “Obama phone” in the first place – because he knew it would get all the ignorant – uneducated voters that have NO CLUE – that shouldn’t even be allowed to vote – out there on his side! BRILLIANT!!
Robert Hall says
This whole idea that the government should supply a convenience device to anyone is BS. A cell phone is a convenience device not food, shelter or clothing. END THIS WASTE NOW!
RCS says
If you (were / are) unemployed and your benefits are exhausted because you still haven’t found work yet and now you cannot even pay your phone bill – how will you contact any possible employers to become available for said job interview or hiring process?? Lets say you got injured at your job and have not received any compensation or disability for said injury yet – due to the courts and the length of time it takes to process a claim in this country – look it up. Can you go without out income or any of the minimal needs of a typical person for any said length of time? I doubt it! People like you should have to experience what it is like to be homeless or disabled – or out of work in an economy that has little or no jobs for qualified workers. Not everyone is intelligent enough to get a college education or rich enough to afford it even if they were intelligent enough to get it. I bet your parents paid for your college? Only a rich spoiled person would say the things you are saying here or a person that has never had to endure a physical disability or any other life threatening situation. If you only had to live like someone that is disadvantaged so you would know how wrong you truly are! How ever there are some out there that no doubt do not deserve or warrant this type of service and are abusing the system – there is always in any case a small percentage of people that are abusing any system in human culture. I bet even you are – in one way or another working to beat the system if you can make it an advantage for yourself? I bet you wouldn’t be making this ridiculous statement if your mother or a child of yours was sick and dieing and had a need for this type of assistance. In my opinion there is just too many “rich” “greedy” “jerks” in the world that really need to have something terrible happen to them once in a while so that they can see just how it is on the other side of the tracks. Bottom line the government should be using what ever it takes to prevent fraudulent use of the systems in place – a lot of needy people in this world – and in this country mostly because of rich greedy jerks that feel they need to have incomes of over $200,000.00 or more with $500,000.00 or more annually in benefits and stock options a year to be satisfied – while their employees (the people that produce the products that got them rich in the first place – live on a meager $20,000.00 or $30,000.00 annual incomes or less). And get laid off when ever said CEO or president isn’t making his/her outrageous salary. Inflation is driven by greed. Employers give their employees a small raise then up the price of everything so that in the long run only the rich truly benefit and the poor or “just getting by” are right back to where they were before the raise.
eddieking says
I’m disabled and I need to find a job quick so I can pay my living and food bills. How do I apply. Internet?? yes but I need a Free connection to the Internet because I cannot afford it. But not all employers who hire let you apply in the internet, the employers need to have you fill out app personally and interview applicant. But I do not have a car. Therefore I need a free car so I can be able to go apply wherever I want and need to apply to. Now, I am not allowed to drive because of my disability. How do I get to where I can apply?? With the FREE car, I need a chauffeur so I can be able to be driven to where I can apply and gas money to and from!!! U.S. Gov’t of Obama , HELP HELP HELP. TAX TAX TAX SO I CAN GET THE NEEDS I NEED. Taxing the rich is not enough–$250,000 and up. US Gov’t need to tax everyone who can pay tax so as to distribute the wealth and be equitable like what Karl Marx espouses!!! Free college, free medical and hospital expenses. Utopia at last. Hurrah!!
Terry says
Agree or disagree with the program, if you know someone that is misusing the program, report them!
Dustin Ingham says
I would like to pull together all wireless customers who pay for their phones and wireless plans to sue their respective providers and demand that all people be treated equally and not discriminated against because of their income. This country is failing because of you and will completely fail because of you.
Jackson says
That won’t help. It’s an FCC mandate, and it was put in place decades ago. In July 2008 (under Bush) it began with cell phones. All communications companies are required to collect a fee that goes to the FCC, that pays for these phones.
Next, they are going to start giving nearly-free internet away, they are already in a pilot program:
http://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/lifeline-internet
Beatriz says
The Universal connectivity charge on your cell phone bill pays for all the free phones and internet. This charge was instituted by no other that Al Gore when he was vice president. I hope you enjoy watching all those so-called “poor” using your money for free phones and service.