Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!bu.edu!telecom-request From: tad@ssc.UUCP (Tad Cook) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Telephone Surcharges for Deaf, Poor Anger IBT Customers Message-ID: Date: 27 Feb 91 17:11:05 GMT Sender: news@bu.edu.bu.edu Organization: TELECOM Digest Lines: 47 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 167, Message 4 of 11 In article , seals@uncecs.edu (Larry W. Seals) writes: (Stuff deleted) > There seems to be that same mentality at work here. Just because the > telephone is ubiquitous does not mean that the service it renders has > become a right available to anyone for asking. > Given the number of goods and services I pay for on which there are > these hidden subsidies for those who want the privilege without the > cost, how far are we down the road to a socialist society without even > knowing it? Larry seems to forget the concept of "universal service." That is why all kinds of cross-subsidies were set up in telephone service. The idea being that the telephone network is only really useful when the majority of the population is connected. "Hidden subsidies for those who want privilege without the cost" ?? Why should communications only be for those who can afford ISDN, Caller ID and modems? What's the matter with my poorer neighbors getting access to 9-1-1 ?? Tad Cook Seattle, WA Packet: KT7H @ N7ENT.#WWA.WA.USA.NA Phone: 206/527-4089 MCI Mail: 3288544 Telex: 6503288544 MCI UW USENET:...uw-beaver!sumax!amc-gw!ssc!tad or, tad@ssc.UUCP [Moderator's Note: It is intereesting that you phrased your final paragraph in the way you did. On a call-in talk show today, the host was discussing this issue with a man who was calling in on his cellular handheld phone while riding in the back seat of a taxicab yet. The host posed a similar question: should communications be only for those of you who ride home to the suburbs in a cab every night talking on a cellular phone? Why can't poor people have a phone when they need to call the police or the doctor? And the caller's response, which has to be an all-time classic, taking nerve if I do say so myself: "Well, they probably could afford a basic single line phone if they would quit buying so many Illinois State Lottery tickets every month!" Jeesh! Not only does he not want to assist in paying for their 'basic phone'; he wants to steal their dreams also! :) The host's response: "You know something mister? You've got a mean, very stingy disposition. I'd hate to have to ask you for anything." PAT]