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Surprise: Billions spent on fraudulent Obama phones

Feb. 12, 2013 8:27pm Meredith Jessup

You might remember the so-called “Obama phone lady” who pleaded for the president’s reelection last fall because he “gave us a phone” and “he gonna do more.” And do more he did.

Since 2008, spending for the low-income phone handout has skyrocketed to more than $2 billion. But the Wall Street Journal notes that the federal phone program is wildly fraudulent:

The U.S. government spent about $2.2 billion last year to provide phones to low-income Americans, but a Wall Street Journal review of the program shows that a large number of those who received the phones haven’t proved they are eligible to receive them.

The Lifeline program—begun in 1984 to ensure that poor people aren’t cut off from jobs, families and emergency services—is funded by charges that appear on the monthly bills of every landline and wireless-phone customer. Payouts under the program have shot up from $819 million in 2008, as more wireless carriers have persuaded regulators to let them offer the service.

Suspecting that many of the new subscribers were ineligible, the Federal Communications Commission tightened the rules last year and required carriers to verify that existing subscribers were eligible. The agency estimated 15% of users would be weeded out, but far more were dropped.

A review of five top recipients of Lifeline support conducted by the FCC for the Journal showed that 41% of their more than six million subscribers either couldn’t demonstrate their eligibility or didn’t respond to requests for certification.

I like stories that expose government fraud. Even more, I love a good jingle about exposed government fraud. Take it away, Obama phone lady:

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Comments (6)

noslave
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 9:11am
OBAMA PUT AMERICA INTO ALMOST 7 TRILLION IN DEBT? so far if he just gave EVERYBODY tens of thousands,they would have spent it much better,helping the economy??rather than his pals,bundlers,unions,voters,only getting kick-backs??

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8mileshigh
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:43am
I’d like to know how the people got hold of the phones without proof of income.
I love the Obamaphone lady video, but I didn’t click on this one so I don’t know if this is the same one I like. I’m afraid to click on it. I’ve gotten my screen taken over by the MacKeeper ad 3 times in the last week, always when clicking to go to the next page or clicking on a link when on the Blaze. I had to ForceQuit. I am interested in alot of the stories but am contemplating not reading it anymore because this doesn’t seem to happen anywhere else.

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shorelineliz
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:20am
Uh. Not surprised at all. In addition to phones they probably got a whole wack of lobsters, 40s and weed. Thanks Obama for spending MY tax dollars on a bunch of YOUR losers and ‘Obama was elected by a bunch of uneducated low class people.” This video just proves it big time.

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Verceofreason
Posted on February 13, 2013 at 12:32am
“Begun in 1984″
How is this Obama’s program?

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Cosmos102
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 9:49pm
I want my money back, with interest.

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- omega309
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:51pm
  From your picture it doesn’t look like your wearing the right colorof jacket to be able to get your money back
  
  Report this comment

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