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From: bzs@bu-cs.UUCP (Barry Shein)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Long Distance
Message-ID: <837@bu-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 4-Jan-86 20:31:49 EST
Article-I.D.: bu-cs.837
Posted: Sat Jan  4 20:31:49 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 6-Jan-86 03:28:17 EST
References: <82@druhi.UUCP>
Organization: Boston Univ Comp. Sci.
Lines: 31

>...add the coming rate increases for my
>basic service and for *forced* charity I begin to wonder if I
>really need a telephone.

I assume by *forced* charity you refer to subsidizing the existence
of a very low level of service for the poor and elderly. The reason
such subsidies are tacked on involuntarily is because of people's
resistance to give voluntarily. If you are an exception and give
generously then I suggest you deduct that amount from your yearly
donations, if you are not an exception then you probably know why
they have to yank it out of your pocket, if you prefer not to give
anything at all ever then I sincerely hope you are never needy in
any way.

The thought, for example, of an elderly or invalid person not being
able to afford a phone and hence access to emergency services should
be disturbing, it is not a consumer issue except perhaps to the hard
of heart. If you feel undeserving people also receive such help, that
is another issue; one of policy, starving the truly needy because of
abusers would obviously be a cruel and useless way to correct
bureaucratic deficiencies.

Sorry, but I find views like this disturbing.

It also answers your question, you might need a phone in the event of
emergency tho you are free to do what you like. Of course, if you
don't have a phone and don't believe in charity, then when you feel a
crushing pain in your chest you better have a $10 bill in your hand
when you knock on *my* door to call for help.

	-Barry Shein, Boston University