January 01st, 2015

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler made a proposal to raise the spending cap on the E-Rate program by $1.5 billion annually. That would result in a 17.2% increase in the USF fees on phone bills. And what are USF fees? It's just a fancy name for more taxes! And the government tries to disguise and hide any taxes it can. If you own a phone of any kind, you are taxed. The phone companies have no say in the matter. 
Now, just what is the E-Rate program? It's supposed to help provide schools and libraries with telecommunications and internet access but other private companies are already doing that. The plain truth is that the E-Rate program has been riddled with wasteful spending and they want more of our money to waste!
Anyway, the proposal went up for a vote this past December and guess what? It passed. Do you know who voted on it? Taxpayers? NO. Congress? No. Who? The FCC itself! The FCC has complete control over the amount of USF fees (taxes!) and can raise the rates at any time! What about the spending cap? The FCC can raise that as well because they are the only ones who vote! Their response: What is a little bit more?  What?!  We are taxed to the max already but the government either doesn't know or doesn't care - or both!

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