Argus Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 Ha! It's a slippery slope: first the authoritarians want drug tests then they come for the cell phones. How dare people find the means to... communicate. Authoritarians gotta authoritate! A cell phone is a luxury. I don't mind my taxes going to feed, cloth and shelter people, or to educate their children or treat their diseases. Why should they go to buying them cell phones? If you're poor you shouldn't be able to afford a cell phone. If you're not poor then you don't need my money to pay the rent. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
msj Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 There you go again: dictating how someone spends money. Even if they are spending tax money they have received (which I have my doubts given the debunking of several of those stories made up by the anti-refugee crowd) having a phone is not a luxury in today's world. You don't know what plan these people have nor the type of phone. You don't know how they got their phone nor how they prioritize their spending in order to keep it. You have no idea the extent that it is useful for them to connect and assimilate into our society. And I certainly don't want the government to pay unionized employees to crack down on this as that is a waste of tax dollars. Imagine having the phone police. Another idea brought to us by authoritarians. Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
Argus Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 There you go again: dictating how someone spends money. Even if they are spending tax money they have received (which I have my doubts given the debunking of several of those stories made up by the anti-refugee crowd) having a phone is not a luxury in today's world. A cell phone is definitely a luxury, and I don't think poor people living off me should have the money for luxuries. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
msj Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 So a landline is okay? How about basic cable? You going to crack down on every and anything that you deem to be a luxury? Go ahead but I don't like hiring the government employees (the luxury police) and paying them a huge amount more money because you don't like someone's spending priorities. Ever heard of cost/benefit analysis? Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
Derek 2.0 Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 What if they are using the cellphone in their search for work? Quote
msj Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 What if they are using the cellphone in their search for work? I wondered about that too. I suppose they could buy a really really cheap tablet or computer or use the library for that? Not really sure what policies Argus has in mind to crack down on this violation of his priorities. Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
Derek 2.0 Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 I wondered about that too. I suppose they could buy a really really cheap tablet or computer or use the library for that? I didn't even think about that for their actual job search (that's a good point), I was thinking more along the lines of a potential employer being able to contact them......unless they are in their permanent rentals, how would they even mange a landline? I would assume they have no credit history, hence they would be required to put down a deposit for services, versus purchasing a pay and talk phone from 7/11...... Quote
msj Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 Oh Derek those are such first world problems! Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
DogOnPorch Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 Steve from customer service? Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
waldo Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 MLW member Argus might be on to something here... hire the 'poor refugees' to be phone police grunts - win, win! I trust they won't use their "corporate phones" for personal use though. Quote
dialamah Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 I wondered about that too. I suppose they could buy a really really cheap tablet or computer or use the library for that? Not really sure what policies Argus has in mind to crack down on this violation of his priorities. Why do refugees have cell-phones: Easy to carry when on the run, only way to keep in contact with friends/family. I believe that in some parts of the Middle East, cell phone plans are extremely cheap. Also, they don't need 'plans'; there are apps that provide communication through wi-fi. During the Arab Spring special apps were developed that allowed cell phone communication through a kind of 'relay' system, iirc. Anyway, the point is that someone having a cell phone doesn't mean they also have enough money to afford a cell phone plan. Quote
waldo Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 Anyway, the point is that someone having a cell phone doesn't mean they also have enough money to afford a cell phone plan. Wind Mobile offering free phones, service to Syrian refugees --- Newcomers to Canada can stay connected thanks to new campaign, Lifeline Syria chair says Quote
Argus Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 (edited) What if they are using the cellphone in their search for work? A simple basic landline is much cheaper. You don't search for work on a cell phone anyway. You do it on the internet, and free internet is available in all local libraries. Because I pay for it. You don't have time to go to the library when you're out of work? Edited January 17, 2016 by Argus Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
waldo Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 A simple basic landline is much cheaper. You don't search for work on a cell phone anyway. You do it on the internet, and free internet is available in all local libraries. Because I pay for it. You don't have time to go to the library when you're out of work? did not realize libraries would take employer contact/call-back calls on behalf of "the poor/refugees" - who knew! . Quote
Argus Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 did not realize libraries would take employer contact/call-back calls on behalf of "the poor/refugees" - who knew! . Did not realize your reading comprehension skills were quite so lacking. I said quite clearly that I had no objection to people having a landline, which is much cheaper. Were the words too complex for you? Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
dialamah Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 (edited) A simple basic landline is much cheaper. You don't search for work on a cell phone anyway. You do it on the internet, and free internet is available in all local libraries. Because I pay for it. You don't have time to go to the library when you're out of work? All I have is a cell phone, so yeah - you DO search for work on a cell phone. And it works, too ... I got a job just last week when I got a phone call on my cell phone and someone saying "When can you start?" did not realize libraries would take employer contact/call-back calls on behalf of "the poor/refugees" - who knew! . Well of course - in the world of 'refugees deserve nothing', there are all kinds of perks: thousands of dollars per month, luxurious free residences, gourmet foods and, last but not least, libraries and library staff providing free personal services. Edited January 17, 2016 by dialamah Quote
waldo Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 (edited) Did not realize your reading comprehension skills were quite so lacking. I said quite clearly that I had no objection to people having a landline, which is much cheaper. Were the words too complex for you? ya ya, you also said "cell phones" for the poor/refugees are a luxury... one that you're paying for! How onerous is that for you... how much is it costing you? Looks like Wind Mobile is off-loading some of your expenses with their offer of free phones/plans for Syrian refugees - better? Edited January 17, 2016 by waldo Quote
dialamah Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 ya ya, you also said "cell phones" for the poor/refugees are a luxury... one that you're paying for! How onerous is that for you... how much is it costing you? Looks like Wind Mobile is off-loading some of your expenses with their offer of free phones/plans for Syrian refugees - better? Brilliant marketing move by Wind Mobile. I haven't seen the story, but I bet the term is limited to three or six months; after that, they'll likely have pretty loyal customers for a long time. Also good to know that Argus isn't going to be on the hook for all the minutes these people are going to be using. I was worried for a minute there, when Argus said he was paying for these cell phones and plans. Quote
Derek 2.0 Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 A simple basic landline is much cheaper. I could be wrong, but I always assumed one needed a permanent address for a landline. You don't search for work on a cell phone anyway. You do it on the internet, and free internet is available in all local libraries. I think they've squared the circle of putting the internets into phones now Because I pay for it. You don't have time to go to the library when you're out of work? Huh? Do you suggest refugees should just forward their contact info through the local library? Quote
WestCoastRunner Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 A simple basic landline is much cheaper. You don't search for work on a cell phone anyway. You do it on the internet, and free internet is available in all local libraries. Because I pay for it. You don't have time to go to the library when you're out of work? Who is going to pay for their transit to head down to the library? Looking for work is a full time job in itself. That would involve checking emails, job boards everyday. To get around that, having a laptop at home would be beneficial but I suppose that would be considered a luxury too. Quote I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. - Maya Angelou
msj Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 Did not realize your reading comprehension skills were quite so lacking. I said quite clearly that I had no objection to people having a landline, which is much cheaper. Were the words too complex for you? Maybe I'm out of touch but my landline that I must have to only let people into my condo costs me $30 per month and that's after bundling it with my internet connection otherwise it would be more. I'm pretty sure one can get a cell phone plan for around that cost. Not everyone is willing/able to pay $100 per month on the cell bill. Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
dialamah Posted January 17, 2016 Report Posted January 17, 2016 Maybe I'm out of touch but my landline that I must have to only let people into my condo costs me $30 per month and that's after bundling it with my internet connection otherwise it would be more. I'm pretty sure one can get a cell phone plan for around that cost. Not everyone is willing/able to pay $100 per month on the cell bill. Also, the last time I checked with Telus about transferring my tv/internet over to them, they wanted $500 up front. Can't imagine they'd want anything less from a refugee who only wants to sign up for phone service. Quote
Argus Posted January 18, 2016 Report Posted January 18, 2016 All I have is a cell phone, so yeah - you DO search for work on a cell phone. And it works, too ... I got a job just last week when I got a phone call on my cell phone and someone saying "When can you start?" I'm sure you could have gotten the phone on your landline. Well of course - in the world of 'refugees deserve nothing', there are all kinds of perks: thousands of dollars per month, luxurious free residences, gourmet foods and, last but not least, libraries and library staff providing free personal services. Why should I pay for your cell phone? Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
Argus Posted January 18, 2016 Report Posted January 18, 2016 I could be wrong, but I always assumed one needed a permanent address for a landline. You need a permanent address to collect your welfare cheque too. So? I think they've squared the circle of putting the internets into phones now As long as you can pay the bill. Huh? Do you suggest refugees should just forward their contact info through the local library? Learn to read. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
DogOnPorch Posted January 18, 2016 Report Posted January 18, 2016 As long as you can pay the bill. We pay over $150 per month for cable/internet...I'd sure like that bill taken care of. Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.