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Millions who claimed government phones cannot prove eligibility to receive them

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Updated: 2/17 4:05 pm
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new investigation recently carried out by the Wall Street Journal shows more than 40 percent of people who have received free phones from the government can’t prove they meet guidelines to even be eligible for them.

According to the WSJ, the government spent more than $2 billion on communication programs like this last year.

The Lifeline program is supposed to help indigent individuals stay connected with jobs and 911 when needed.

The program is funded by a monthly charge on every land line and wireless customer bill, but critics argue the program is full of abuse.

To learn more about the WSJ investigation visit
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323511804578296001368122888.html
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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of News 4 WOAI (WOAI.com)

trutex - 2/18/2013 10:47 AM
7 Votes
Rest assured the BO Regime, the Democrat National Committee and the phone companies see this as a resounding success. The permanent dependent underclass gets free Obamaphones, votes are bought for Democrats, Telecoms get a nice chunk of steady lucre and the work-a-day rate payers get the tab. Democrats have to be laughing themselves silly over this.

shann0n - 2/18/2013 9:54 AM
3 Votes
I'm so shocked! #saidmenever

Ridonkulous - 2/18/2013 8:24 AM
6 Votes
The people that need this are waiting in line at the Day Labor trying to feed their family and are not aware of this program. The abusers are on youtube search Obama phone.

ABC123 - 2/18/2013 7:12 AM
8 Votes
That's what happens when the kid guards the candy store.

roadrunner1980 - 2/18/2013 6:34 AM
8 Votes
Just more obama crap!

Accountable US - 2/17/2013 11:27 PM
7 Votes
Epic fail by our government yet again. I can appreciate the idea of wanting to help keep our people connected to job opportunities, but instead of providing supplies for free, let's help everyone be accountable for the charity they are receiving. Human nature, unfortunately, does not advocate us to be the "bigger person" and reciprocate generosity, but sadly take advantage of the situation. This is proven in most industries as we pay for services and products before receiving them. Why does the government blindly feel this will be different for them?

Phrilly - 2/17/2013 9:08 PM
9 Votes
Shocking! Just shocking! Who would have thought that losers would fraud the program? Poor things, they are so broke they wear better clothes than I can affort during advertising the program on TV. I'm not surprised at all this happened. I had a friend with a son with a terminal disease that couldn't even get him on Medicade because they made just over the cut off. They really needed it but there are POS that take, take, take and our government just gives, gives, gives - to those that will vote "them" back in office! Just like those perfectly physically able humans (best word I could think of other than one that would get me banned) that whip out that LoneStar card to pay and then whip out $100 bill to pay for the stuff welfare doesn't cover. All of it under the governments umbrella. Let's see how all that goes when all the cuts start in March!

Baven2 - 2/17/2013 8:22 PM
14 Votes
Well isn't this grand. As both a cell phone and landline owner who has paid the universal service fee, not only have I been subsidizing 6 million slackass LOSERS, 41% of them were completely ineligible. This is fraud at the highest level, and what's most disgusting is there are THREE general parties at fault here. 1) The government for running this sham of a program. 2) The ineligible slackers who have abused this program 3) The phone companies who have never verified eligability requirements (aka crony capitalism). I do intend to call up my cell phone provider, AT&T, tomorrow and scream at them for a 47% refund in their universal service fee. A full 47% of their lifeline subscribers were ineligible, and I paid for them, so I figure AT&T owes me money. Unfortunately for government and the slackass abusers, there's nothing which can be done under our neo-socialist political system (Obama doesn't care). Oh yes, anyone else find it funny this comes out after the election? Yet again, news which could have affected the election was purposely delayed.

chubrachabra - 2/17/2013 8:18 PM
10 Votes
Will anything come of it? Like prosecuting the cheaters? Hell no? They are the ones the Democrats need to keep them in office. Now our greaser Mayor put the bee in the bonnet of Obama to take the 4K plan nation wide.

Johnny Cash - 2/17/2013 7:32 PM
9 Votes
Critics argue the program is full of abuse. no come on you really thinks so ??? (sarcasim) You're picking on the 47% who dont pay taxes again.

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