West Kentucky Star

McCracken County

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Cell Phones
PHOTO:Candice Freeland

Cell Phone Giveaway in Paducah Today

By WestKyStar Staff

PADUCAH, KY - Budget Mobile and Big Wireless will give away cell phones Tuesday in Paducah. The event is scheduled from 9 am - 5 pm at their location next to Pasta House in Jordan's Crossing. The giveaway is for those who receive some form of government assistance.

In addition to the phones, 250 free minutes will be given to participants.

The number to call for more information is 443-9338.

Published 11:43 PM, Monday Oct. 08, 2012
Updated 06:52 PM, Tuesday Oct. 09, 2012

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- Name: bill h.
  
  10/9/2012 4:46:27 PM
  
  people are rewarded for the way they vote
  
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  Name: Mammie D.
  
  10/9/2012 1:33:06 PM
  
  Judy T....the shelter has a phone.....
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  10/9/2012 1:20:57 PM
  
  Finally, Judy, Rush has enough listeners like you; he doesn't need me. It's obvious you listen because you know what he says.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  10/9/2012 1:17:42 PM
  
  Judy, a cell phone is no more a necessity than a big screen. People have, and do, manage just fine without either.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  10/9/2012 1:13:58 PM
  
  There are many employers that pay good workers more than minimum wage. Even in these tough times good workers are hard to find. Visit the Paducah Career Center for help finding these employers. And Judy, spell my name correctly or don't address me. It is disrespectful to feminize a person's name when it is spelled correctly right in front of you.
  
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  Name: Far M.
  
  10/9/2012 11:54:16 AM
  
  If Church's, (the people in them) truely did what the Bible teaches, there wouldn't be a need for one quarter of the Gov. assistance provided today.
  
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  Name: Peter P.
  
  10/9/2012 10:32:34 AM
  
  Many times I have been behind couples at Super Value with IPhones yacking away. Then they swipe the magic card. Super Valu is 30% higher than Wal Mart, but it does not matter. The groceries are free. Why shop around.
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  10/9/2012 10:21:11 AM
  
  A big screen is not a necessity. Someone said these people were getting I phones. Do you personally know anyone who got a free Iphone, or is that just something you heard. Mammie d: what good would a discounted home phone be if you live in a shelter? Bobbie M: Do you have any suggestions as to where to get a better paying job these days? If we don't have people working for minimum wage or a little above who will do the minimum wage work? Won't we always have minimum wage workers on minimum wage jobs. You sound like a Rush listener, than's one of his mantras. You sound like you think all employers pay for what they get from the employee. Did you ever wonder why we have so many Mexican workers here? How many of them work under the table for less than minimum wage? I see a bunch of sour grapes here in most of the comments. People afraid they are going to have to spend a few of their dollars to help those less fortunate. I wonder how the poor would be thought of if they lived in a Christian country? You asked who said the poor are lazy, read the posts on this website for names.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  10/9/2012 9:06:26 AM
  
  Judy, who said the poor are lazy and what about minimum wage? Nobody works for minimum wage for very long unless they are poor workers or change entry level jobs all the time. People that start at minimum wage either get a raise or find a better job. As for this program, what is wrong with people that cannot afford luxury itmes not having luxury items? I can't seem to fit a flat-screen tv into my budget, are you willing to add a tax to every big screen sold so that I can get one?
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  10/9/2012 9:01:06 AM
  
  Estelle, yes you can dial 9-1-1 even if there are no minutes. I guarantee it...
  
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  Name: Mammie D.
  
  10/9/2012 8:39:18 AM
  
  As I posted on my FB page...OBAMA PHONE. of which...WE THE PEOPLE are paying for.....just a shame....if under Regan; it was a discount on a home phone, that I could understand....and as far as elderly.....get a house phone....they are cheaper now than they ever were....
  
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  Name: Peter P.
  
  10/9/2012 8:14:38 AM
  
  someone has had their early morning cup of Kool Aid.
  
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  Name: The M.
  
  10/9/2012 7:54:34 AM
  
  Sad thing is most of those on government assistance have I phones. Those of us who work for a living have the cheap 15 dollar one's. Sad that the government just keeps helping the lazy inconsiderate bums of the world. Why not give something to the hard working people that can't afford things like INSURANCE?
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  10/9/2012 7:33:49 AM
  
  I would like to congratulate those of you who have learned their lesson of "the poor are lazy bums". Or should I congratulate those who have done such a good job of endoctrination. Do you really know for a fact that the poor are just lazy bums sitting around watching tv and getting tattoos or are you just repeating what has been drummed into your head? There are humdreds of good paying jobs out there unfilled, right? Minimum wage is so great that you have plenty of money for living expenses, don't you? When you are applying for a job you don't need a phone do you? They could just leave it at land lines and install them in tents and under the viaducts can't they? I listen to a talk radio program from Hawaii where the host goes down there with the poor to help feed them. He estimates that of those he helps service about 30% of them are veterans and many of the others are out of a job because of the lack of tourist. As long as we are kept in the mindset that the poor are lazy bums who don't want to work then we won't blame the government for sending our jobs overseas, and corporations for replacing people with electronics to up their profits.
  
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  Name: Sophisticated L.
  
  10/9/2012 6:56:24 AM
  
  There's how the program works. What if a person need more than 250 FREE voice minutes and 250 FREE texts If you need more minutes or texts, you have 3 plans to choose: $5 Talk & Text - Add $5 each month to get 500 total voice minutes and 500 total texts (that’s 250 FREE minutes & 250 FREE texts plus 250 minutes & 250 texts). $20 Talk & Text – Add $20 each month to get 1000 total voice minutes and 1000 total texts (that’s 250 FREE minutes & 250 FREE texts plus 750 minutes & 750 texts)$30 Unlimited Talk, Text, & Web – Add $30 each month to get unlimited voice minutes, unlimited text messages, and unlimited data. These plans include a guarantee of 250 Free Minutes and 250 Free Texts each month as long as you remain eligible, even if you cannot pay for your plan in a specific month. How would someone qualify for Assurance Wireless? Although eligibility varies by state, you may qualify for Assurance Wireless if you participate in Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, Social Security Income (SSI), or other government programs. You may also qualify if your total household income meets government guidelines in your state. Assurance Wireless is only available to individuals who participate in a qualifying government program or are income eligible Only one wireless or landline Lifeline account is allowed per household and service is non-transferable. The address you provide for your phone service must be your place of residence, whether permanent or temporary.How much does Assurance Wireless cost? Assurance Wireless is FREE to eligible customers. Assurance Wireless offers a FREE phone, 250 FREE minutes of wireless voice service and, with selected plans, 250 FREE texts to eligible customers each month. There are no bills, long-term contracts or activation fees for Assurance Wireless customers. a FREE government program, paid for by us "the working people"
  
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  Name: Peter P.
  
  10/9/2012 6:14:16 AM
  
  250 minutes, will not last long. Then what? These people will then have to make a heart wrenching choice. Minutes, or tattoos. Minutes or tattoos? Hmmm. What to do?
  
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  Name: Sophisticated L.
  
  10/9/2012 5:53:00 AM
  
  "HOME" phones was not purposely left out. I've stated "HOME" phones in my comment, and why is it called trying to help the poor when the GOP party implements a government program, but when the democrat party try to give a hand-up not a hand-out it's looked upon as taxpayers $dollars$ being abused. There is no differences just more ways to get people dependent on the government.
  
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  Name: Terra S.
  
  10/9/2012 2:28:46 AM
  
  Big Wireless just lost all my business for being involved in this government waste program.
  
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  Name: Kyle W.
  
  10/9/2012 1:32:18 AM
  
  This is just dumb. All these programs that make it so people who don't want to work get all this free stuff is getting out of hand. Time to fix the welfare, food stamp, HUD programs. Way too much abuse. People can just live off this stuff and never get off the couch. It's really sad.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  10/8/2012 10:53:32 PM
  
  Estelle, cell phones that are no longer active can always dial 9-1-1. Organizations give them out for free. This is a scam.
  
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  Name: John R.
  
  10/8/2012 10:14:29 PM
  
  This tell the whole story!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAOwJvTOio
  
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  Name: B. L.
  
  10/8/2012 9:46:09 PM
  
  More ways to get people dependent on the government. The funding for this comes from those of us who actually work for a living and pay for our phone services. It is a "universal fee" which is actually a tax of about $2-$3 per person. The government denies it is a tax, but anytime you are required to pay a fee to help a government program I would consider that a tax. Just as the new tax if you don't have healthcare. Anyone with a phone line ran to their house has 911 available to them for emergency use.
  
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  Name: W H.
  
  10/8/2012 9:45:57 PM
  
  There is s big difference between a standard land line telephone for those truly in need, and giving away cell phones and their financial baggage. If you can afford it and only want a cell phone instead of keeping the land line expense, that's one thing. Unless there is some cell plan that's a LOT cheaper than mine, people who need assistance shouldn't have a luxury item like this.
  
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  Name: george j.
  
  10/8/2012 8:54:41 PM
  
  Here's the "rest of the story" that was purposely left out. The program started under Reagan was not for cellphones because they didn't even exist in the market place in a meaningful way. It was established to give low income family's a "discount" on "HOME" phones giving them access to emergency services. He actually was trying to help the poor but like every government program that is started they are always abused. Recent attention has been brought to it because Obama administration has not only greatly expanded the program he has exploited it giving away "free" phones and "free" minutes to buy votes. He also has put millions of subsidy dollars in the pockets of some of his most successful fund raisers and the taxpayers get soaked again. Imagine that.
  
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  Name: john g.
  
  10/8/2012 8:11:57 PM
  
  I agree, with js, what a horrible program. Are we not supposed to be getting the poor off of the government teat, not giving out more handouts. Big Wireless should be ashamed. I will never send a dime there again!!! "I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer." - Ben Franklin
  
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  Name: Sophisticated L.
  
  10/8/2012 8:05:31 PM
  
  Us hard working citizens can thank our former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W Bush who implemented the Federal Funding. Starting in 2005 the Federal Government in a partnership between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC), started the Lifeline Across America national program. While Lifeline has been in existence since 1985, the goal of this program is to sign up poor and low-income Americans into the government's Lifeline and link-up free phone and free cell phone programs. Some facts from the FCC regarding the need for free home phones and free cell phones for the poor and low income: As of July 2005, approximately 6.3 million American households did not have telephones,and more than 13 percent of American households with an annual income below $10,000 do not have telephones. This policy was enacted 1985 by Reagan,and 2005 Bush reinstated the policy. THANKS GOP!
  
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  Name: K. D.
  
  10/8/2012 8:03:51 PM
  
  I agree! There are a lot of hard working people out there that are barely making ends meet and can't afford a cell phone. Why give it someone on Government Assisstance? I am so tired of our taxes going for stuff such as this!
  
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  Name: J S.
  
  10/8/2012 6:43:03 PM
  
  What about those of us that work very hard for living? More free stuff to keep you dependent and teach you that you will be taken care of! WOW!
  
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