Congress can give $95 Billion in Foreign Aid, but can't pay $30/month for low-income internet

Our government is fucking useless.

They waste so much money on bullshit, but for the things that really matter - internet access for low income families - they can't be bothered.

This really disgusts me.

Seriously. $95 billion of our tax money goes out the door to foreigners.

But our government can't even find $14.2 billion to subsidize poor Americans with a measly $30 per month towards their internet bill?

Absolutely useless.

What time is it in St. Petersburg, OP?

Well R2, it's 1:52 a.m. in Los Angeles, where the original article in the LOS ANGELES TIMES newspaper came from.

You dumb cunt.

Oh fuck off, you inadvertent Putinista tweaker. Global security is important and you're not expert. Internet access doesn't mean shit if the post-WW2, post-USSR economic and political order collapses. Attack Republicans for being chintzy to their own person people, not for smart geopolitical decisions.

I don't understand how internet service is so expensive in the US. It's sixth highest in average cost in the world, but all aspects of internet, mobile, TV service seem very high in the U.S.

I'm in Southern Europe and the monthly rates are half or less that of the US. My 2GB internet service, unlimited calls and data for 2 mobile phone lines, and 120 channels of TV is a cheaper monthly package price (€59) than the average cost of internet service alone in the US. And the service is excellent and far from the cheapest provider or option.

Its odd that the US never made a national.priority of internet service to its residents, instead letting huge communications conglomerates dictate pricing and conditions not meant to put the benefit of internet service into everyone's reach.

We've gone over this a hundred times by now, deplorable OP. This isn't direct aid, it's more like an investment in your own military industry. Most of the stuff sent over is old crap from the '80s nearing its expiration date, so this money is to replenish those stocks with new shit, modernised to take on China instead of the USSR. Even regular American aid to Sub-Saharan Africa comes with incredible strings attached, it's basically more of an economic investment than a handout.

A better comparison here would be student debt cancellation.

If World War III breaks out in Europe and all these kids get sent as cannon fodder then their Internet connection issues will pale in comparison.

I grew up poor, without a phone or TV- I went to the library.

The issue really isn’t internet, but that these arrangements force poor people to make difficult decisions that DELIEBRATELY don’t advance themselves, or become enamored to a quality level and details of the programs in sort of laziness that carries over to their children. There needs to be a more comprehensive “cradle to grave” government program that sets people up for success and accountability rather than cyclic, multigenerational lifetimes of being poor and expecting a bail out. If there is student debt cancellation, prepare us better so we don’t fall into debt again trying to retire 20 years later.

There are salary restrictions on most public safety nets that people will lose the services if they make too much money. It also disallows children to either go out and get jobs that might contribute to the household, or to legally pay into taxes (selling drugs, etc.) I also see a certain level of entitlement with both rent control and public housing in that they aren’t especially supposed to be comparable to premium market housing.

The moment I got a taste of making my own money I moved out of my mom’s house and went out on my own.

It should work the other way, that government underwrites programs like Google Fi’s internet access and work with companies to offer a year subscription with every new job, teens entering the job market, or mothers that want to work at home.

[quote]Its odd that the US never made a national.priority of internet service to its residents,

The US -- at least, the Republican party -- prioritizes the wealth of its elites over the subsistence of its masses.

The internet should be free for everyone.

Give all Americans unlimited internet.

Companies can always charge for extras that go above and beyond the basics.

But the bottom line is that internet access in 2024 is a necessity. And therefore, it should be free.

The reason the money was given was so kids could do remote learning. The kids are in school full-time, eight hours a day, and get free internet to learn and explore that whole time. The family being able to stream Netflix after dinner would be nice, but if the money is needed elsewhere, it’s needed elsewhere.

R11, kids can’t get their homework done without internet. If a parent has young children and is out of work, it might be challenging to get to the library to look for a job. Some things can be difficult to do on a phone. If we are going to have give aways, this is a very worthy one.

That said, I admit that my first thought was, “$30? Nobody in that family can go mow a lawn?”

Well, why don't you trade places with those receiving that aid? They'd love not to be able to afford the Internet.

Yes why should the poor have anything nice? Ever?

It’s been nothing but a money grab for arms dealers since WWII. Not a surprise!

Thank deregulation and monopoly-approved pro-business interests in DC since Repugs went on the rampage starting with Reagan.

I thought Rethuglians were pushing for internet in every Podunk corner of the country, so they could reach the rednecks with propaganda?

The stench of stale borscht permeates this thread.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) discount is only $30, but it helps a lot. Internet connection is out of reach for many including myself. I hope that Congress can reinstate the program before the May 1 deadline. I have received so many emails from my Internet provider saying the program has ended. It makes me sick.