F-u Fusf!

[secret-steve-crumbles]

So, I just re "upped" my VoIP the other day. Got a nice little line item charge on my bill. Wasn't sure what it was:

455981 Fri Dec 05 06:29:44 UTC 2008 FUSF (VoIP) $24.72 ----

What the fuck is FUSF? So, google to the rescue:

What is the Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF)?
The Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF) is a fund administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that collects a fee assessed on all interstate telecommunications revenue which is then disbursed for a variety of subsidies including: subsidizing phone service for low-income consumers, subsidizing telephone service and infrastructure in high-cost areas (generally sparsley populated rural areas), and subsidzing communications services for schools, libraries, and rural healthcare purposes.

Fuck me, this spread the wealth around shit is really taking off.

[mier]

Heh..sucks huh.

There's been taxes on the books since the early 1900s to help distribute telephone service to all corners of the country. They of course did reach everyone but like good government they never stopped taxing everyone else because we can do without government cannot.

[alaskalonewolf]

Niiiiice. You'd think VoIP was the way around paying out all the time...

[bigshotprof]

That also seems like a huge fee for the stuff its being used to support. If your fee is 25 buck a month, what's the total? I think we need a little more sunlight here.

[rabidbadger]

Rare, but once again I agree with Crumbles. I hate these unspecified, bullshit, afterthefact, "sur"charges, whatever that means, that don't show up in the ads, but show up in the first bill, usually after locked into a contract.

Do you know that every landline phone bill still has a tax on it that was supposed to help pay for the Spanish-American War? (if memory serves me correctly).

[secret-steve-crumbles]

Heh..sucks huh.

There's been taxes on the books since the early 1900s to help distribute telephone service to all corners of the country.It's crazy. Wasn't there some tax on phone bills until recently that was to fund the war of 1912 or something crazy?

That also seems like a huge fee for the stuff its being used to support. If your fee is 25 buck a month, what's the total? I think we need a little more sunlight here.Ah, sorry, I should have clarified. I pay for 12 months up front. So, that charge should be divided by 12 to get an accurate monthly fee.

Rare, but once again I agree with Crumbles. I hate these unspecified, bullshit, afterthefact, "sur"charges, whatever that means, that don't show up in the ads, but show up in the first bill, usually after locked into a contract.My oven became possessed this morning. On my way out the door to work this morning, the wifey noticed it was on. I went and looked at it and despite the knob being on OFF the oven was at 500 degrees!!!!! Thank godness our house didn't burn down. Anyway, I cut the gas and electric to it and went to work. Decided to finally buy a new stove. Found out today that Lowes "free next day delivery, free take away" means: "pay ALL fees up front, fill out a bunch of paperwork, and hope that in 8 weeks you get a visa gift card for the amount back." Damn I hate bullshit ads. My time is money too. If something is free, I should have to do nothing and wait for nothing.

Do you know that every landline phone bill still has a tax on it that was supposed to help pay for the Spanish-American War? (if memory serves me correctly).Ah, I guessed the wrong war. I think recently the politicians finally said: "Oh, yea, we're busted." and removed that tax.

[rabidbadger]

My oven became possessed this morning... Damn I hate bullshit ads. My time is money too. If something is free, I should have to do nothing and wait for nothing.

Total Bullshit.

and the spanish-american war/1812 war, I could be confused, calling back on ancient memory. We could BOTH be right and wrong, haha. But chances are we still getting screwed by one or both of them. (got a link to the "we got busted" thang?)

[secret-steve-crumbles]

Total Bullshit.You saying my story about my oven is bullshit, or Lowes "free" thing?

(got a link to the "we got busted" thang?)http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2006-05-25-phone-tax_x.htm

*edit*
I just remembered why I remembered the phone war tax thing. Because on my taxes last year (or the year before) you could claim it and get a whopping $2 back or something stupid.

[rabidbadger]

You saying my story about my oven is bullshit, or Lowes "free" thing?

The Lowes thing. I been shopping for a new stove too, and I was wary of what Home Depot was telling me. All PR and Lawyers.

And thanks for the link.

[secret-steve-crumbles]

I been shopping for a new stove too
Shit, well do tell. I've narrowed it down to a few. I even bought a subscription to consumerreports.org and it was ZERO help. They only review like 4 stoves. None of which are anywhere for purchase locally.

I'm 90% sure we're going with this one. The GE Adora. Has a grill in the center which I'm pumped about.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/71/7198243a-4dc2-4dc3-b1cd-dd4fea3a576b_400.jpg

[rabidbadger]

Shit, well do tell. I've narrowed it down to a few. I even bought a subscription to consumerreports.org and it was ZERO help. They only review like 4 stoves. None of which are anywhere for purchase locally.

I'm 90% sure we're going with this one. The GE Adora. Has a grill in the center which I'm pumped about.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/71/7198243a-4dc2-4dc3-b1cd-dd4fea3a576b_400.jpg

Oooh, looks good. How much?

[rabidbadger]

shit, that's gas. I need electric. Don't LIKE electric, but cant add electrical hookup to the price.

[alaskalonewolf]

Might try to find something used, not quite as good, but waaaaaay cheaper.