The Next Great Social Network is Closer than You Think: Socialism 2.0
Posted by Smarter Story in Shaken & Stirred | 1 commentThe age of social networks is now fully embedded in the lives of Americans everywhere. It’s hard to imagine our world without the power of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterist, just to name a few of the leading social networks permeating the very fiber of our society.
Now imagine taking the power of Social Networking to the NEXT level… Socialism 2.0: A society supported through free money for food, clothing, housing, childcare, healthcare — and now cell phones with service! To good to be true you say? The truth is, all of this exists NOW! So what is the real cost for all of these incredible FREE goods and services. The answer is more diabolical than you may imagine: Our Freedom.
How is this happening?
First there was the government bailout of the auto industry and soon after additional bailouts for GM with escalating government purchases of their products.
Then there are Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that you can use to buy fast food and other items at big box retailers.
And now Healthcare.
It’s happening and if you qualify for the year-end bonus by having a child, the benefits increase dramatically. Currently in the United States, 71 percent of poor families with children are headed by single parents.
Next on the list?
How about free government subsidized cell phones via the Universal Service Fund (USF)?
What is viewed as an obscure welfare program for low-cost phone use (Lifeline) has emerged on the national scene as a potential boost to President Obama’s reelection.
Over four million people have viewed a YouTube video that has a woman saying she received a free cell phone from the Obama campaign.
The Washington Free Beacon, has tied the free phone to the FCC mandated Lifeline Assistance program in an article by Andrew Stiles published October 8th.
Thanks to the feds the low income can receive a free government cell phone and up to 250 free minutes every month.
The program was originally meant to help low income persons have access to emergency service through their phone. But all that changed in 2008 when cell phones were authorized.
Andrew Stiles notes in the article that there are serious questions being asked.
“The program’s rapidly increasing costs have attracted the attention of Republicans and Democrats in Congress, and have prompted calls for reform. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.), for example, found that the program was “ripe for fraud.” In some cases, McCaskill noted in a December 2011 press release, the government was issuing multiple free phones to the same individuals. “I remain troubled by the expansive potential for the program to be abused, especially since Americans contribute to the program through their monthly phone bills,” McCaskill, who is up for reelection, wrote in a formal letter to the FCC. “The current requirements to determine eligibility often do not require customer documentation for participation in Lifeline, which may result in individuals receiving phones who should not be.”
Rep. Tim Griffin (R., Ark.) has introduced legislation to restore the program to its originally intended purpose — providing landlines for use in emergencies — and stop the federal government from issuing free cell phones. Griffin told the Daily Caller he had heard reports of individuals receiving dozens of phones, some of which were of the expensive smartphone variety.”
Phones are the backbone of a political campaign. They are used in the ground game to get people to the polls, initiate robo calls and for polling.
Now with millions of people having access to the Lifeline program — and therefore free cell phone—political campaigning could be turned on its head. Does the Obama campaign have these cell phone numbers? Is it fair to ask that question?
The free cell phone program can help millions — not just political campaigns. Right now 12.5 million people are benefitting from the Lifeline outreach. As the program gets more attention millions more will apply since the qualification standard only requires a family of four to earn less than $30,000 per year.
Considering the 2011 Census Report, that could be nearly 50-60 million citizens since 17-20% of the population falls under federal poverty guidelines.
Can we as a free nation continue to support cradle to grave federal programs that take the incentive out of working for a living?
Should we as a free people allow our elected officials to mandate free clothes, housing, electricity, liquor, junk food and cars for the poor? When does it stop? Can our government buy our freedom?
Most would say no. But once these programs are put into place they are almost impossible to take away and the workers pay for the items of the non-workers.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Socialism as “any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.”
Sound familiar? Margaret Thatcher once remarked, “The trouble with Socialism is eventually you run out of other people’s money to give away.”
Socialism is not America’s story, but Socialism 2.0 is growing dramatically everyday, so it’s too early to say where we may end up. Don’t believe us? Then apply now.
It’s happening