re: #609 ShanghaiEd

I am 99% sure that this program will be abused to the tune of many more dollars than will be saved by those who might get off welfare. Minutes are expensive. Government minutes will be even more so. This will also necessitate a department where the program is handled and phones are distributed. More tax payer $$ out the door. More tax payer $$ for cronies.

And more questions: will they be able to track the phone calls to ensure the phones are being used only for job search and emergencies? Will that invade privacy? How many replacement phones is a person allowed? How long will they be eligible to have a phone? After two years of free phone usage and no job in sight, will they continue to have access to the program? Will people in the US illegally have access to the program?

A lot of people want to feel really good about being compassionate with other people’s money. And when the program they espouse is the inevitable money pit, they’re loathe to give up the feel-good. Sorry if I’m cynical, but I’ve seen it too many times.